How to clean an iron from burnt fabric at home. Tricks for cleaning the iron from burnt fabric Why does the iron burn?

Despite the fact that many modern irons have a self-cleaning system, problems with a burnt surface periodically arise. As a result, the quality of ironing decreases and your items deteriorate.

To clean the ironing surface, you first need to decide which method is most suitable for your iron. The method for cleaning the iron depends on the materials from which the surface of the heating device is made.

Cleaning an iron with Teflon, ceramic, metal-ceramic coating

Irons with a surface made of silicon, cermet, or Teflon require virtually no cleaning. However, if necessary, use universal and special non-stick products that can be bought in the store. The cleaning method is usually indicated in the instructions on the packaging.

A universal product is a special cleaning pencil suitable for all surfaces. Use a pencil to wipe the heated base of the device, after turning it off. After the iron has cooled, clean the surface with a damp cloth to remove dirt.

Specialized products, as a rule, contain ammonia (ammonia), which is released during processing, so it is better to do cleaning in a well-ventilated area. In addition, you need to make sure that the cleaning agent does not get into the steam holes.

If you don't have any cleaning product at home, you can use laundry soap instead of a pencil. Using soap, the surface is treated in the same way as with a pencil.

Home cleaning methods

Home methods for cleaning Teflon surfaces using products that contain abrasive substances are not suitable here, since scratches can easily appear on such a sole. Ceramic and metal-ceramic surfaces are more stable, but if handled carelessly, chips often form on them.

Teflon and metal-ceramic surfaces can be easily cleaned using mild cleaning agents.

For example, hydrogen peroxide is used for cleaning. Use a cotton pad soaked in peroxide to wipe the sole several times until the carbon deposits disappear.
When using hydroperite tablets, the iron must first be heated, then wiped over the contaminated area with the tablet. The procedure is carried out with gloves in a ventilated area, since ammonia is released when hydroperite evaporates.

Cleaning with table vinegar is done as follows. Iron a cotton or linen cloth soaked in vinegar and well wrung out with a hot iron. Do not forget to place some rags under the fabric so as not to stain the ironing board. Instead of vinegar, you can use citric acid or just a piece of lemon, which you rub on the heated surface of the sole. In this case, the steam function of your household appliance must be turned off. After completion, the surface is cleaned of contamination.

If the carbon deposits cannot be removed, then you need to repeat the procedure with a mixture of ammonia and vinegar or only ammonia. Do not forget about ventilation of the room in which you are cleaning the iron.

You can clean the working surface of the iron with baking soda. Apply a paste of a mixture of baking soda and water to the sole and wipe with a cloth. Do this two to three more times until the stains are removed.

Newly formed deposits on the ceramic sole can be easily removed with a wooden spatula. The iron must first be heated, and after removing the stain, iron it over a rough fabric.

A stain from melted polyethylene can be easily cleaned with nail polish remover, which is moistened with a cotton pad.

If the ironing surface is damaged and scratches appear on it, try the following. Prepare a mixture of grated paraffin and salt in equal proportions, then cover it with a cotton cloth and iron it. This way, scratches can be removed and the surface of the iron becomes smoother.

Cleaning a Stainless Steel and Aluminum Iron

Irons with polished aluminum and stainless steel soleplates are more susceptible to carbon deposits. The cleaning pencil can also be used in these cases in accordance with the instructions.

When cleaning the surface from burnt stains, you can also use soft cleaning agents.
means: vinegar, citric acid, ammonia. However, it is not recommended to clean the aluminum soleplate with acid, since due to the chemical reaction of the metal to the acid, rough spots may appear on the surface of the iron.

Devices with a metal ironing surface can be easily cleaned with home remedies. If the carbon stain is fresh, you can simply try to carefully clean the burnt area with a knife so as not to damage the sole. Moreover, it is better to do this right away, before the iron has cooled down.

Only the formed stain can be tried to be wiped off with toothpaste. Why apply the paste to the burnt area of ​​the already cooled ironing surface and then wipe it with a rag or sponge.

If you were unable to clean your iron using other methods, then you should try the most popular method - using salt. You need to pour fine salt in a thin layer onto a cloth or newspaper and iron it on top with a hot iron. You need to act carefully, not allowing salt to get into the holes. Use soda in the same way, after moistening it a little. Soda crystals are smaller than those of salt, so they cause less damage to the base of the heating device.

If a piece of synthetic fabric or polyethylene is stuck to the iron, then you can use acetone or liquids containing it. After moistening a piece of cotton wool or gauze with acetone, thoroughly wipe the sole.

And it is best to prevent the ironing surface from burning than to clean it later. The cleaning process can easily damage the sole.

Follow the rules for operating the heating device specified in the instructions and pay attention to the product label, which usually indicates the temperature at which it can be ironed. And be sure to use special non-stick attachments for the soleplate of the iron.

Video guide for removing carbon deposits

Take care of your equipment!

Which irons can be cleaned in any way?

If your new, expensive Teflon iron is dirty, then we strongly do not recommend that you tempt fate and experiment with “grandmother’s” methods. If you already have money for a good iron, then try to find a little more - for a special cleaning product.

Nothing bad will happen if you clean the device not today, but in a few days, when you can buy a pencil or a special preparation. It’s better to borrow your neighbor’s iron for a day than to risk your equipment. But, if we are talking about a good old iron from the USSR, without any holes or special coatings, then you can do whatever you want. He will endure everything! Naturally, there is no need for fanaticism here either.

Rubbing the “sole” with an iron brush is a thankless task.

This way you will clean it once, but then it will get dirty and darken much faster. And if it gets dark, it will leave stains on clothes.

How to clean fabric from iron?

By and large, there are no special techniques for removing tissue. The burnt area can be cleaned in the same way as regular carbon deposits. All products that soften the crust and repel dirt from the surface are suitable for this.

If the piece of fabric is quite large, then carefully clean it with a knife, and remove any remaining dirt using the methods suggested below. By the way, if you have a pencil, you don’t even have to clean the fabric; it will come off anyway if the iron is treated with this composition.

In very rare cases, it is not possible to remove burnt fabric the first time if you use a pencil. But, if it still doesn’t work out, then use a knife. The main thing is don’t scratch, that’s all.

What types of irons are there and the specifics of cleaning them

As we wrote above, the most durable is the old Soviet iron. But in our time it is a rarity. Therefore, let's start from modern realities.

Let's look at all the popular types of soles and decide which one is the most vulnerable, and which one can be rubbed with something hard.

With aluminum sole

This type has a big plus - excellent thermal conductivity, multiplied by a budget price. But aluminum is a soft metal and over time the sole becomes covered with a lot of small scratches.

This happens even if you take great care of the item and do not rub it with anything, therefore, we do not advise you to “finish off” the device in an attempt to clean it cheaper. No abrasives allowed here!

With stainless steel sole

But this will be stronger, but such irons are rare now. You can rub it well.

But, I must say, the plus that it is easy to clean does not outweigh the minus of uncomfortable ironing. With such a sole you need to be “on guard” and be sure to use gauze through which you iron.

And, again: the more micro-scratches on the sole, the faster it gets dirty. Therefore, be vigilant and vigilant!

Iron with ceramic sole

These are good irons, but they require careful use. You should not use abrasives; it is better to clean either with ready-made products or liquid ones, for example, acid.

In general, ceramic coating is stronger than Teflon. But, if Teflon can simply be torn off, then the ceramic coating simply wears off over time.

Teflon coated

This is a good thing, but extremely flimsy. Therefore, there is no need for amateur activities, the inventors of pencils have already come up with everything for you. And, if fabric is stuck to such an iron, it is better not to use knives, since the chance of damaging the thin Teflon coating is too great.

And if you damage it, it will rust! After all, under the Teflon layer there is metal, and not stainless steel at all.

So, let's get closer to the topic and look at all the ways to independently rid your iron of burnt marks on the sole.

Method 1. Cleaning the iron with a pencil

All these pencils are the same. They are based on ammonia, which is why a pungent odor appears when used. Don't worry, it's not harmful, and you won't be poisoned by the terrible fumes.

Now see how to properly use an ironing pencil:

1. Preheat the iron to the recommended temperature(it is indicated on the package with the pencil). As a rule, this is not the maximum degree of heating, approximately “two”.

2. Carefully “paint” the entire surface with a pencil, bypassing the holes for steam to escape. The pencil should not get into them. During application, it will melt and drain from the sole, “taking” dirt and carbon deposits with it. If you have burnt fabric on your sole, then most likely you will have to carry out the procedure a couple of times in a row until the ammonia thoroughly softens the stuck piece.

3. Cool the iron and erase the remaining pencil, completely.

This is the most effective way, remember. Fast, safe and clean. What else does?

Method 2. Fine salt

To do this, you need to sprinkle a (quite significant) handful of salt onto a piece of A4 paper or some scrap fabric. Choose “Extra” salt, not coarsely ground.

Heat up the iron and move the soleplate across the salt. In theory, it should absorb the remaining carbon deposits. Just remember that salt is an abrasive and do not use this method on models that cannot be cleaned this way.

Step-by-step instructions for cleaning your iron with salt:

1. Heat

2. Sprinkle salt on paper

3. Run a hot iron over the salt.

4. Wipe the cooled sole with a clean cloth

If a badly burnt sole cannot be cleaned off immediately, then give up this idea and do not try to rub as hard as possible with salt.

Method 3. Using a paraffin candle

And this method is somewhat similar to using a pencil. The candle is applied to the hot sole in the same way and washed off in the same way. But, if a pencil is a mixture of special chemistry that dissolves carbon deposits and repels it from the surface, then a candle is just a candle.

Try it if the iron is not very dirty. It definitely won't get any worse. Whether it will be better is no longer a fact. The main thing is that you are in business and it is safe.

How to clean an iron with a candle:

1. Wrap a regular paraffin candle in some kind of cloth so that the flowing paraffin does not burn your hands.

2. Warm up the device

3. Apply paraffin evenly to the sole

4. Cool the iron and wipe it with a cloth

Method 4. Vinegar

Vinegar is a universal soldier for our housewives. Yes, acid helps to overcome dirt and carbon deposits, therefore, this method can be safely recommended.

The only “but”... If your iron is of suspicious manufacture and is very cheap, then first test the vinegar on a tiny piece of the soleplate.

Be sure to do this so that you don’t cry later and curse the damn Chinese when the coating swells and starts peeling off before your eyes.

This is not a joke, but a true story, dear readers. For example, cheap Chinese-made faucets simply “shed their skin” if any strong acid or bleach comes into contact with them.

How to clean an iron with vinegar:

1. Use vinegar diluted with water, approximately 50 to 50.

2. Wet the cotton wool with the solution and wipe the sole thoroughly. If the spots are small, they go away very easily and quickly, almost immediately.

3. If we are talking about burnt fabric, then wet some thick fabric with vinegar solution and place the iron on it. Let it stand like this for at least the whole night, and by morning the fabric will come off and the carbon deposits will dissolve.

4. At the end of any of these procedures, wipe the surface with a damp cloth with clean water (to remove the smell of vinegar), and then dry it completely.

Method 5: Toothpaste

You need quite a lot of it, which means it’s not that economical compared to a pencil. Moreover, it doesn’t wipe off very well afterwards (especially if it gets into the steam holes). But, in the absence of fish and cancer, there is fish, so you can try this option.

But remember that he is white and “clingy”! If you don’t wipe off the residue well, it will imprint perfectly on your chic, black blouse.

How to use toothpaste to clean soles:

1. Apply the paste in a thin layer using a piece of sponge, for example.

2. There is no need to heat up the iron, because the pasta will simply cook.

3. Let it sit like this for a while, then wash off the paste. Wash thoroughly!

Method 6. Soda

Soda is a good thing, but for baking. For cleaning, it is not the best option, since it does not have any special solvent properties. If we are talking about abrasive cleaning, then yes, here you go. But, this is all for old models, as you remember.

Cleaning the iron with baking soda:

1. Wet a clean cloth with water, wring it out well, and put baking soda on it.

2. Rub the surface until it is clean.

If there is burnt tissue on the sole, remove it with a knife first. And cleaning with soda is the second stage. It cannot be said that this method will rid the iron of dirt quickly. Most likely, the procedure will have to be done several times.

Method 7. Hydroperite

If you are a blonde who uses hydroperite the old fashioned way, then this method is for you! If it lightens the hair, then it will quickly deal with the carbon deposits on the iron.

But, remember that this is a rather aggressive product and an inexpensive iron may not withstand the experiment.

So, how to clean an iron with hydroperite tablets:

1. Dilute the tablets until mushy

2. Apply this mixture to the sole

3. Warm up the device and then cool it down

4. Wipe off any remaining tablets with a cloth

Method 8. Ammonia or hydrogen peroxide

Step 1 . Apply the indicated solutions to a cotton pad

Step 2. Wipe the sole thoroughly until it is completely clean (it’s not a fact that you will achieve it, though)

Step 3. Then rinse with a cloth with clean water, then wipe dry.

From film (polyethylene)

And this happens, yes. Naturally, no one intentionally strokes plastic. But it happens that the iron falls into the hands of children or you iron something that has inserts that unexpectedly melt and stick tightly to the sole.

Nothing wrong with that. Just like with fabric, you just need to scrape the area with a knife.

In fact, you can invent a thousand and one ways to clean your soles. Is it necessary?

This is the 21st century, therefore, you should not get too carried away with home-grown methods, since they are more labor-intensive and not as effective as ready-made methods.

But about that how to prevent carbon deposits and save burnt things that have not yet been spoiled- it's worth thinking about. How can you protect yourself from such trouble?

First of all, it will save your memory, this is the best prevention. Well, be careful and don’t catch crows when you turn on the iron!

Check what mode the heating is on before lowering it onto the item.

After all, it is much easier to prevent fabric from sticking than to furiously tear off a melted piece of synthetic material, for example. What else can you do to protect yourself? Does a special non-stick coating help? Yes, it saves you and you can buy yourself such a thing. It's convenient and not that expensive.

All stores selling household appliances offer a wide selection of ironing devices, that is, irons. They come in different sizes, weights and even shapes. You can choose them by color, brand, type of sole covering, characteristics and other indicators. Most modern irons have a built-in “self-cleaning” function, but it will never cope with the deposits that have formed on the surface, but will only help prevent scale deposits from clogging the steam holes.

Carbon deposits on an iron are a defect that appears on the soleplate as a result of the melting of fabric materials. Where does it come from? Most often, when the temperature regime is not observed or is incorrectly determined for a specific item. Usually it is synthetics that actively leave their mark, since artificial fibers do not tolerate high temperatures.

Today we will give you a brief instruction on the topic “how and with what to clean the iron from burnt fabric at home.”

The first thing you have to figure out is to find out what material the sole on your iron is made of. Usually, when making a purchase, you will already have to understand what you are dealing with. If it was, for example, a gift, then detailed information is always available in the instructions.

It is necessary to know the type of sole, since not each of the described methods may be suitable for your particular case. It’s not scary that it can’t cope with dirt, but if it damages the coating, then consider that buying a new iron is just around the corner.

There are 4 types of irons:

• With stainless steel sole;
• Aluminum coated;
• With aluminum surface coated with Teflon;
• With metal-ceramic work surface.

We will learn further how to clean the iron from burnt fabric with all these components. But remember one rule that applies to absolutely everyone: the sooner you notice the burn and react faster, the higher the chance of saving the life of your assistant.

Durable stainless steel

Irons with a metal surface made of stainless steel are durable, not capricious and resistant to mechanical stress.
Some people advise scraping off carbon deposits directly with a knife, but we don’t recommend you do this, as there is a high probability of causing the device to malfunction, because
With deep damage, it is no longer possible to iron things without consequences.

• Arm yourself with a metal scraper or wooden spatula;
• Turn on the iron to maximum temperature;
• Wait for the stuck fabric to completely melt;
• Remove the sticky layer using a spatula or scraper. In the case of the latter, we advise you not to be too active, but only apply light pressure.

The durable metal will withstand cleaning with salt very well.

• Place a sheet of thick paper on the ironing board;
• Sprinkle a thin layer of salt on it;
• Preheat the iron to maximum and start “ironing” the salt;
• The burnt fabric will gradually melt into salt crystals and you will be able to completely clean the soleplate of the iron.

Aluminum irons

What are the benefits of aluminum irons? They are light, comfortable, do their main task perfectly and are relatively cheap. The big disadvantage of this metal is that it is very soft, fabric “likes” to stick to it and cannot be cleaned with abrasives or rough materials, as it is quite easy to leave scratches.

You, as a housewife, are probably wondering how to remove carbon deposits from an iron if aluminum is so delicate?

1. The first method: use a special pencil that will carefully clean the surface.
2. Second method: dilute table vinegar in water (1:1), warm up the iron a little, but so that you can touch it painlessly with your hand, take a soft cloth, dip it in the solution and thoroughly wipe the sole. Such a substance is capable of soaking the remains of burnt matter, and they are easily removed without the use of force.
3. Third method: identical to the previous one, but use toothpaste instead of vinegar solution.
4. Fourth method: mix 1 tsp. soda with the same amount of liquid dishwashing detergent, apply the paste-like mixture to the dirty areas and rub it with a damp washcloth.

How to handle Teflon

Aluminum coated with a layer of Teflon has a unique non-stick property. When ironing items, the risk of carbon deposits is minimal, but as the coating becomes thinner (after several years of active household use), small stains cannot be ruled out. You can clean a Teflon iron at home using table vinegar. Its acid can oxidize any dirt, and you only need to remove it with a cloth. Proceed step by step:

• First, soak a cotton pad in pure vinegar (no more than 9%);
• Smear it over the traces of soot;
• If the burnt fabric has blocked the steam holes, then instead of a cotton pad, take a cotton swab and reach hard-to-reach places with it;
• Now connect the device to the mains and heat it at the highest setting;
• Take an unwanted cotton item and iron it until all the dirt remains on it.

How to clean the iron if you don’t have a pencil and vinegar? Apply laundry soap. Rub it liberally onto the heated surface, turn off the device and let it cool. Remove frozen soap along with carbon deposits using a soft material.

The most delicate ceramics

The most popular irons at the moment have ceramic coating. They iron all types of fabrics quickly and smoothly, glide well over materials and practically do not burn. But if this happens, then you need to act very carefully, because even a minimal chip can lead to peeling of the entire coating.

There are several ways to clean a ceramic iron. Among the effective options for cleaning carbon deposits from the sole are the following methods:

• Using vinegar. In this case, first heat the electrical appliance, then treat the bottom surface with an acidic substance, and after cooling, wipe it with a cloth.
• Hydrogen peroxide. Soak a piece of fabric in it and iron it. Wet the material until all contaminants are completely removed.
• Toothpaste. The hot sole is smeared with white paste, disconnected from the power supply and cooled in this form. The dried product is removed with a dry soft cloth.
• Ammonia. Mix alcohol and water in equal proportions. Heat up the iron and remove the plug from the socket. Dip a washcloth into the alcohol solution and gently scrub the hot surface of the product.
• Lemon juice. It is also diluted half and half with water and applied with a washcloth to a heated sole.

In this article we have collected the most effective means for cleaning carbon deposits. Now you know that it is more than possible to clean the soleplate of your iron at home, but it is still better to prevent it from getting dirty and follow the temperature recommendations on clothing labels.

Reading time ≈ 10 minutes

As a result of improper ironing temperature, the fabric may melt and dark residue may remain on the soleplate of the iron. This makes it difficult to slide and subsequently leads to the fabric sticking again. Such a nuisance has happened to every housewife at least once. However, equipment can be returned to working condition using simple methods. Later in the article we will look at how you can clean your iron from burnt fabric at home.

Iron cleaning methods.

Types of coatings

Today, manufacturers use more than a dozen different materials to cover the working surface of irons. But the most common ones are:

Due to carelessness or after prolonged use, carbon deposits may remain on any working surface. For each type of coating, certain cleaning methods and various products are used.

Video: how to choose an iron based on its sole?

What not to do

When getting rid of soot, remains of burnt fabric, polyethylene and other materials, it is important to follow some recommendations.

• Do not use knives, sandpaper, metal mesh or scrapers, or any other sharp objects.
• During any cleaning procedures, the device must be disconnected from the power supply. If the iron needs to be heated, unplug it from the power supply once the desired temperature has been reached.
• Avoid getting cleaning agents into the openings on steam iron models.
• To remove dirt and carbon from the holes on the steam iron, use a cotton swab or cotton wool wrapped around a toothpick/match.

Basic rule: do not use coarse abrasive substances or hard brushes, otherwise the surface of the device will be irreparably damaged and its use will become impossible.

Cleaning pencil

The main components of such pencils are carbamide (urea) and organic acid. When it hits the hot surface of the device, this mixture begins to melt and dissolves contaminants. You can find pencils of domestic and imported production on sale; their cost is approximately the same, as is the composition. They are usually sold at hardware stores or large chain hardware stores.

Cleaning pencils can be used for irons with all types of work surface coatings.

Cleaning pencil.

1. Remove the protective plastic film or foil from the pencil.
2. Heat the device to 140-150 °C.
3. Holding the device in a vertical position (do not hold it with the sole up!), apply the cleaning agent evenly to the areas with carbon deposits.
4. After 1 minute, wipe the surface with a cotton or linen napkin.
5. To clean the steam holes, release steam several times and wipe the surface of the device again.
6. Wait 5 minutes for the cleaning mixture to completely evaporate from the surface and turn off the device.

Important! During the period of cleaning equipment, it is necessary to open windows, vents or a balcony for thorough ventilation. Inhaling product vapors can be hazardous to health, especially in case of respiratory diseases!

Various cleaning pencils.

Paraffin candle

Another way to clean an iron from burnt fabric at home is to use a regular candle. Using this method is generally similar to using a cleaning pencil.

Step by step process:

1. Place paper, oilcloth or old cloth over the surface you will be working on.
2. Heat the iron at maximum temperature.
3. Wrap the candle in thick material.
4. Hold the iron in a vertical, slightly inclined position. Use a candle to “walk” through contaminated areas.
5. After removing stains, remove any remaining paraffin wax.

Important! Do not allow paraffin to flow into the steam holes, otherwise the next time you use the iron it will melt and leak onto your clothes, ruining them.

Paraffin candle.

Table vinegar

Used to clean models with Teflon and ceramic coating.

1. Table vinegar 9% should be mixed with water in equal proportions.
2. Soak a soft cloth (cotton pad) in the solution and gently wipe the areas on the sole. The iron must be cold!
3. Clean the holes on the sole using sticks.

Table vinegar.

• Warm up the iron a little, soak a cloth in the solution and leave the iron on it for 10 hours;
• you can add 2-4 drops of ammonia to the solution of vinegar and water;
• to 2 tsp. baking soda add vinegar to get a creamy consistency. The iron should be slightly warmed up and the contaminated areas should be wiped with the product;
• Mix vinegar with salt until the crystals are completely dissolved. Soak a soft cloth in the solution and wipe the surface. Then soak a napkin in pure vinegar and wipe again. To remove any remaining product, wipe the sole with a clean cloth.

Salt

This is another popular, affordable cleaning method for metal coatings. There are several variations of the method:

1. Spread a thin layer on a clean white A4 sheet or cotton cloth, heat the iron to 100-130 °C and carefully, without using excessive force, rub the work surface on the salt until the carbon deposits completely disappear.
2. Pour salt onto the sponge and rub the surface in a circular motion.
3. Wrap the salt in gauze or other porous cloth and clean the surface. This variation is best suited for an aluminum sole, since the impact of abrasive will be minimal.

This method can be used to clean all types of surfaces, except Teflon and ceramics!

Salt.

Baking soda

To use this method, you do not need to heat the iron. Soda must be diluted with water to a paste-like consistency. Apply the mixture to a napkin or sponge and gently wipe the dirty areas. Residues should be removed with a damp and then dry soft cloth.

Baking soda.

Matchbox

More precisely, we do not need the entire box, but only its side part coated with sulfur. It is important to use only intact coating! Gently wipe the contaminated areas of the sole with it - a soft abrasive should effectively remove carbon deposits.

Sulfur on matchboxes.

Toothpaste/powder

It is important to use white toothpaste (not transparent gel) or tooth powder. To clean, apply a little composition to the sponge and treat the areas with soot. This option is suitable for devices with a metal working surface.

Toothpaste for cleaning.

Laundry soap

The device needs to be warmed up a little (set to the lowest possible temperature). Rub the surface with the bar and wait until the soap begins to melt. Remove loose carbon deposits and soap residues with a soft cloth or cotton pad.

Tip: Toothpicks or cotton swabs can help clean the steam vents.

Use of laundry soap 72%.

Acetone and ammonia

Using these substances is as easy as pie: moisten a napkin, soft cloth or cotton pad in nail polish remover (ammonia) and wipe the contaminated areas. There is no need to heat the iron. This cleaning method is suitable for equipment coated with Teflon and ceramics and will help remove not only the remains of adhered fabric, but also particles of polyethylene. Instead of nail polish remover, you can also use paint thinners containing acetone.

Important! Due to the very strong smell of both substances, it is recommended to perform this procedure on a balcony or in a ventilated room. Also, do not allow acetone to come into contact with the plastic parts of the device.

Ammonia.

Foil

Regular baking foil will also help solve the issue of cleaning the iron. Preheat the appliance and iron a sheet of foil until the stains are completely gone. You can also crumple a piece of foil into a ball and rub it on problem areas on the sole. The denser the foil, the more effective the removal of plaque will be.

Foil for cleaning.

Hydrogen peroxide

Teflon and ceramic soles can be cleaned with 3% peroxide.

1. To do this, heat the device at maximum temperature.
2. Soak a napkin or cotton towel in the liquid.
3. Iron the fabric until the carbon deposits are completely removed (maybe several times).

Hydrogen peroxide.

How to avoid carbon deposits

Obviously, it’s easier to prevent carbon deposits than to clean a new iron from it. How to avoid plaque formation:

Important! Fresh deposits that appear after one ironing are much easier to clean than old deposits after repeated use of the iron.

So, we hope we have comprehensively answered the question of how to clean an iron with different coatings from burnt fabric and other contaminants at home.

In conclusion, we invite you to watch a video with an overview of methods for cleaning the soleplate of an iron:

Sometimes in a hurry you can forget about the iron being turned on. As a result, you are left with a damaged item and an iron sole with burnt fabric. This situation can also arise when the temperature conditions recommended by the manufacturer for a particular fabric are not observed. If you do not remove carbon deposits from the iron in time, untidy yellowish stains will remain on your clothes during the ironing process. Fortunately, you can clean your iron at home using folk recipes. The choice of cleaning product will depend on the type of sole.

Rules for cleaning different coatings

When ironing clothes, it is necessary to observe the temperature regime. Natural fabrics can be ironed at high temperatures. While synthetics can easily burn if the iron is too hot.

The soleplate of the iron can be made of various materials: Teflon, ceramics and stainless steel. The choice of cleaning products will depend on the type of coating.

1. 1. Teflon soles have non-stick properties. Therefore, the fabric rarely burns to them. If it does melt on the surface, you need to moisten a cotton cloth with cold water and wipe the problem area. Under the influence of temperature changes, the carbon deposits will come off. In addition, sometimes a special Teflon scraper is sold along with the iron for removing burnt fabric. Instead of this device, you can use a wooden spatula.
2. 2. Ceramic soles are more susceptible to mechanical damage. Under no circumstances should you use products with abrasive properties to clean them. Otherwise, scratches will remain on the surface, trapping the fibers of the fabric when ironing. As a result, carbon deposits will appear again and again. To clean the soleplate of the iron from burnt fabric, you can use products for cleaning microwaves and glass ceramics.
3. 3. Stainless steel is much more resistant to external influences than ceramics and Teflon. The sole of this material can be cleaned with toothpaste, soda, salt and even a matchbox. To do this, you will need to heat the iron and remove carbon deposits by rubbing it with a sulfur strip on the box. Then wipe the surface with a soft cloth and, if necessary, clean the holes with cotton swabs.

When using the above products, it is important not to overdo it, since rough cleaning can leave scratches even on metal.

Methods for cleaning the soleplate of an iron

Having found out what material the soleplate of the iron is made of, you can start cleaning it. There are various products suitable for Teflon, ceramic or stainless steel.

It is very easy to use these products at home, since they are almost always at hand.

Soap

To remove fresh carbon deposits from Teflon and ceramic coatings, use ordinary laundry soap.

Algorithm of actions:

• heat the iron until the sole becomes warm;
• rub it with laundry or liquid toilet soap;
• Wait until the iron cools down completely and wash the soleplate with a soft, damp cloth.

There is another way to use soap:

• prepare a soap solution by adding laundry soap shavings to the water;
• moisten a soft cloth with the resulting mixture;
• iron it with a heated iron.

If necessary, you can clean clogged holes with cotton swabs or toothpicks dipped in vinegar.

After cleansing, be sure to iron the damp, clean gauze with a hot iron. Otherwise, when ironing, soap stains will remain on the clothes.

Vinegar

You can also use vinegar to clean Teflon and ceramics. There are two options for using it.

Method 1:

• heat the soleplate of the iron until it becomes warm;
• mix table vinegar and water in equal proportions;
• moisten a soft cloth with the resulting vinegar solution;
• Wipe off the burnt fabric from the sole.

Method 2:

• mix table vinegar with ammonia in equal proportions;
• moisten a soft cloth in the prepared mixture and wipe the sole heated to a comfortable temperature;
• when it becomes clean, you should heat the iron as much as possible and iron it with clean, damp gauze.

This method will help get rid of even old carbon deposits.

Cleaning with ammonia and vinegar must be done in a well-ventilated area, since the fumes of these substances are poisonous. In addition, it is worth protecting the skin of your hands with thick rubber gloves.

Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is suitable for cleaning ceramics. This substance will help get rid of fresh carbon deposits and whiten the material.

Procedure steps:

• heat the iron as high as possible;
• moisten a thick cloth, for example, a waffle towel, with 3% hydrogen peroxide;
• iron it with a hot iron several times until the sole is completely clean.

You can also simply moisten a cotton pad with peroxide or lemon juice and wipe the warm ceramic sole with it.

If you don’t have fresh lemon on hand, you can dilute a little citric acid in warm water. In this case, it is important to ensure that the granules dissolve completely. Otherwise, you may scratch the sole.

Toothpaste

You can clean a stainless steel soleplate using a rougher approach. Toothpaste is suitable for this. You will need:

• heat the iron and apply toothpaste to the dirty sole;
• wipe off carbon deposits with an old toothbrush;
• After cleaning, wipe the sole with a clean damp cloth and wipe dry.

It is advisable to use a simple white paste without colored inclusions or abrasive particles.

Soda

You can also clean the metal sole with regular baking soda. This substance has strong abrasive properties and should be used with caution.

Procedure:

• mix soda with water to a paste;
• apply the resulting mixture to a cold stainless steel soleplate;
• leave for 20 minutes if the dirt is ingrained;
• After the allotted time has passed, carefully wipe off the burnt tissue with a soft cloth;
• then wash off the remaining composition with a damp sponge.

Cleaning with soda should only be used as a last resort when burnt fabric cannot be removed by other methods.

Salt

Table salt should never be used to clean Teflon and ceramic coatings. But it will help to cope with old carbon deposits and stuck lint on the steel sole.

Instructions:

• take a handful of coarse table salt and moisten it with water;
• pour onto a sheet of cardboard or thick paper;
• set the maximum heating temperature and iron the salt layer several times;
• then wipe the sole with a clean, damp sponge.

Paraffin

If the fabric burns to the sole of the iron due to existing scratches, you should use a paraffin candle. Paraffin will not only clean carbon deposits, but also fill microcracks.

Mode of application:

1. 1. Take a paraffin candle and wrap it in thick fabric made from natural materials. It can be linen or cotton.
2. 2. Then heat the device until the base becomes hot.
3. 3. Rub the burnt area with a candle. The paraffin will begin to melt, trapping the burnt clothing. In this case, you need to be careful not to burn your hands with the hot mass.
4. 4. Wet the fabric with clean water and iron it several times. This will help get rid of any remaining paraffin.

If the molten mass gets into the holes on the sole, you will need to turn on the steam mode and intensively release steam several times.

Special pencil

Cleaning pencils with acids are often sold along with irons. They are available for soles made of various materials.

Removing carbon deposits with this device is very simple. It is enough to heat the iron strongly and rub the dirty areas with a pencil, without pressing it too hard. Care must be taken to ensure that the melted product does not get into the holes in the sole.

After such cleaning, iron a clean, damp cloth to remove pencil marks.

Cleaning the soleplate of your iron yourself is not that difficult. The main thing is to consider what material it is made of. Depending on this, you should choose cleaning products. Most of them are easy to find in the kitchen or medicine cabinet.