To prevent your laundry from being stained when ironing, it is important to clean the soleplate of the iron. To protect your clothes from burn marks, we offer you effective tips with natural ingredients that will spruce up your device without damaging it or even damaging your beautiful shirts.
Why are there burn marks on the soleplate of my iron?
The soleplate of the iron, the heated metal part of your appliance, is subject to the accumulation of residue from synthetic fabrics, starch and dirt present on your clothes or other items. This can affect the proper functioning of your iron and leave burn marks. Additionally, if the water in your iron’s tank is hard, minerals can clog the steam outlet holes or encourage rust to form.
How to clean the soleplate of an iron: 11 tips
To clean the soleplate of your iron, nothing could be simpler. You’ll need a handful of ingredients that you probably have at home. Take your device, cooled and unplugged, and start by removing the residue accumulated in the steam holes. Use a toothpick, clean toothbrush, or cotton swab to clean everything thoroughly. Now you can get down to business with our 11 tips for removing burn stains.
- White toothpaste
How to do ?
- Rub some white toothpaste onto the burn marks using a cotton swab or paper towel;
- Wipe everything with a damp microfiber cloth.
If toothpaste clogs the steam vents, here’s how to unclog them:
- Pour distilled water into the tank of the device;
- Place the iron vertically on a used towel;
- Set it to “steam” and wait a few minutes;
- Press the “steam” button for 20 to 30 seconds;
- Wipe with a damp cloth;
- Repeat the operation 5 to 6 times until steam comes out of the holes normally.
- White vinegar
- Dip a clean microfiber cloth in white vinegar and rub your sole using small circular movements to clean all traces of limescale;
- Soak a clean microfiber cloth in distilled water;
- Dry everything carefully.
- Baking soda
How to do ?
- Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 teaspoon of water to make a thick paste;
- Spread your dough on the soleplate of the iron, avoiding covering the steam vents;
- Scrub the sole with a clean toothbrush;
- Wipe everything with a damp microfiber cloth to remove any dirt deposits .
- Salt
How to do ?
- Plug in your iron and set it for cold ironing without steam;
- Place a sheet of newspaper or parchment paper on the ironing board and cover it with a thin layer of coarse salt;
- Pass the sole over it using quick circular movements;
- Repeat the operation, adding salt if necessary;
- Unplug the iron, and once cool, wipe the soleplate with a damp microfiber cloth to remove any leftovers. This is an effective cleaning method to try to remove blackish layers.
- The wooden spatula
How to do ?
If you accidentally melt a plastic button under the soleplate of your iron, here’s how to fix it:
- Start by unplugging your iron and letting it cool;
- Then place the iron in a large bowl filled with ice cubes to help harden the plastic stuck to the soleplate;
- Use a wooden spatula to scrape the plastic;
- Be sure to remove all plastic so there is no residue that can damage your clothes during your next ironing session.
Good to know: never use a metal object to clean the soleplate of your iron.
- The magic cleaning eraser
How to do ?
- Wet your eraser;
- Erase the burn marks to make them disappear.
Available in supermarkets or online, this eraser is very effective, especially when it comes to hard water stains .
- The cotton swab
How to do ?
- Clean clogged or dirty steam vents using a cotton swab dipped in white vinegar Effective, it will not scratch the soleplate of your iron.
- Paracetamol tablet
How to do ?
- Set your iron for hot ironing;
- Grab a white uncoated paracetamol tablet with tweezers and rub it all over the sole of the device;
- Make sure your pliers do not touch the surface of the sole. The tablet will gradually dissolve, eliminating residues in its path;
- Repeat the operation if necessary;
- Wipe the iron while still hot with a clean, damp towel, passing it over it as if ironing it.
- The quality multi-surface cleaning product
How to do ?
- Spray the soleplate of your cold, unplugged iron with a small amount of your multi-surface cleaner ;
- Leave the product to act for 30 to 60 seconds;
- Rub with a clean microfiber towel.
- The solvent
How to do ?
- Plug in your iron and wait for it to heat up;
- Soak a piece of cotton with a teaspoon of nail polish remover ;
- Wipe the surface of the sole to dissolve dirt.
- Dryer sheets
How to do ?
- Set your appliance to the lowest temperature;
- Rub the sole with a fabric softener sheet;
- Replace the fabric softener sheet with a new one until the abrasive power of the latter takes effect.
Keep the soleplate of your iron clean
To have a clean device at hand whenever you need it, regular maintenance is essential. This will prevent residue from building up on the soleplate of the iron over time, keeping it looking like new and functional to keep your laundry clean. Here are some practical tips for you:
1. Wipe your device
Wipe the cooled soleplate of your iron after each use with a damp microfiber cloth.
2. Use only distilled water
As explained above, hard water leads to mineral buildup along the sole. Using distilled water will help reduce stains, keep your appliance’s “steam” function working properly, and increase the life of your appliance.
Good to know: if you don’t iron often, empty the reservoir of your iron to prevent the proliferation of mold.
3. Do not place your iron directly on the garment
Place a clean, thin cotton cloth or towel on your garment when ironing. It will form a sort of effective “protective shield” between the soleplate of the appliance and the fabric and will prevent dirt from accumulating.
4. Check that your fabrics can withstand ironing
Not all fabrics can withstand high temperatures and others deteriorate on contact with steam. Read the labels on your clothes before ironing. If you have no indication on the label, or if your sweater or other is made of several fabrics, first set your iron to the lowest temperature and start by doing a test on a seam at the same time. inside of your garment.
FAQs
How to clean the soleplate of a sticky iron?
Wipe the soleplate of your device with a damp cloth dampened with water or vinegar. Add a few drops of dish soap if necessary. Next, set your iron to the lowest temperature and wait for it to heat up. Unplug the device and wipe the soleplate with a damp cloth.
How do I know if my iron needs cleaning?
If you notice white buildup around the steam vents or brown substances coming out of them, if your iron is no longer removing wrinkles from your clothes effectively, if there are burns and residue on the soleplate, or if steam is not expelled correctly from the holes, it is time to clean your device.
How to clean the soleplate of a steam generator?
To do this, you must leave water and vinegar mixed in equal parts in the machine tank overnight to descale it. The next day, empty the tank and rinse it. Wipe the soleplate with a soft, clean cloth. Note that some steam generator models have a self-cleaning button.