January 29, 2023

How to Clean an Iron: Inside and Iron Plate

Having a freshly pressed suit or jacket can make all the difference in how confident you feel in your appearance, whether you’re headed out for a business meeting or are just catching up with friends around New York City. But if your iron isn’t doing the job like it used to, it might be time for a deep clean. Luckily, cleaning your iron doesn’t have to be a hassle. We’ve got several techniques to help you return your iron to perfect working condition inside and out.

Signs Your Iron Needs Cleaning

Your iron probably doesn’t make it onto your regular cleaning list most of the time. So how do you know when it’s time to give your iron some TLC? Here are a few signs that your iron could use some extra attention.

Your iron likely needs to be cleaned if it sputters and spits during operation. When steam can’t come out of the steam holes smoothly, they may be clogged, which can cause sputtering. A cleaning is also in order if your steam iron sprays dingy-looking water instead of fresh steam. In that case, there may be minerals or deposits from your water impacting your iron’s performance.

Clean your iron if it drags on your clothes rather than glides along the surface or if it leaves stains or marks on your clothing. (Bonus tip: to remove scorch marks from clothes, rinse the garment in warm water, soak it in diluted bleach for about 15 minutes, wash the item as normal, and dry it in the sun.)

How to Clean Your Iron Plate

General Cleaning

To keep your iron in tip-top shape whenever you need it, you can use some simple cleaning methods for general upkeep. It’s recommended to clean your iron once or twice a year, at least; the more you use your iron, though, the more often it will need to be cleaned.

For an all-over clean, combine two tablespoons of baking soda with one tablespoon of water. Rub the paste on the iron plate while avoiding the steam holes. A cotton swab can remove the paste that does get into the holes. If you need a deep cleaning inside the steam holes, you can dip your cotton swab into distilled white vinegar beforehand.

Speaking of vinegar, this common pantry staple leads right into our next tip! Soak a towel in vinegar and apply it to the iron plate for 30 minutes to clean the surface and tackle corrosion. Your iron will look just like it did the day you took it out of the box! Finally, turn your iron on its lowest setting and rub the plate with dryer sheets for a sparkling shine.

Removing Residue

If you’ve been dealing with burnt residue or limescale on your iron plate, you can easily remove it with an acetaminophen tablet. Turn the iron to its highest setting, and once hot, press the tablet into the residue and let it dissolve. Remove the residue with a damp cloth or paper towel. It’s recommended that you wear an oven mitt or other heat-protecting gloves if you’re trying this cleaning method.

Have you ever accidentally set your iron down on something plastic, only to realize you’ve made a big mistake when you lift the iron and see the melted plastic stuck all over your iron plate? Don’t run to the store for a new iron! You can easily remove that melted plastic with ice cubes and a plastic knife.

Unplug your iron and let it cool completely. If the plastic isn’t hard already, you can harden it by placing the iron plate onto a few ice cubes. Once the plastic is hardened, use a plastic knife to get the residue off your iron. Wipe the surface with a damp rag or, for more hard-hitting residue removal, spray the iron plate with a vinegar spray before wiping away. Be sure to remove all the plastic before using your iron again, or the plastic will simply melt again and get stuck to your clothes.

Many crafters keep an iron in their supply closet to help with projects like iron-on patches or Perler beads. But getting glue on your iron could spell disaster if you don’t know how to remove it properly. Luckily, there’s a simple fix: you can remove stuck-on glue with a Brillo pad. It will take away the annoying glue without scratching the surface of your iron plate.

How to Clean the Inside of an Iron

Cleaning the inside of your iron is just as important (if not more!) than caring for the outside. When the iron’s interior is clean, you can rest assured that the water inside stays clean as well, pressing your clothes properly and leaving no unpleasant odor in its wake.

To clean the inside of a steam iron, create a mixture with equal parts distilled white vinegar and water. Iron and steam an old cloth or towel and watch as the vinegar and residue come right out of the vents. Be sure to wipe everything away with a soft, non-abrasive cloth afterward.

The steam vents in your iron can be cleared of residue with a cotton swab or a toothpick. As we touched on earlier, you can use this cleaning method on an as-needed basis or as part of your regular cleaning routine.

Once you’ve steamed all the residue out of your iron, let it cool and dump out any of the remaining liquid. Refill with distilled water (which doesn’t contain minerals that can harm your iron) and press the “steam” button a few times to make sure all the vinegar is gone.

How to Maintain Your Iron

You should clean your iron at least twice per year, but if it gets frequent use, you may need to clean it as often as once per month. Plus, if you’re using tap water, you might need to perform more frequent cleanings. Tap water and the minerals inside can clog and damage your iron, so using distilled water will lead to better performance and a longer period between cleanings. 

While you’re ironing, be sure to check whether your iron has specific settings for certain fabrics. Adhering to these settings will help your iron perform properly throughout its lifespan. After you’re done ironing, empty the water reservoir and wipe any steam or moisture from the outside. Store your iron in an upright position when not in use.

Your iron is just one part of your home or apartment that needs attention. But when was the last time you properly cleaned your other appliances? The busyness of everyday life makes it easy to put your cleaning routine aside, but with White Glove Cleaner, you can enjoy a spotless space without any extra time or effort.

Our team can ensure your New York home or apartment is always looking as good as new. We offer a wide range of cleaning services like move-in/move-out cleaning, “green” cleaning, and deep cleaning packages. We only use the highest quality products that are tough on dirt and germs but easy on your appliances and furnishings. Opt for a one-time service before a big event or sign up for recurring services to keep your space looking great no matter what.  Contact White Glove Cleaner today to learn more about all of our services!