How to clean an iron at home: 7 easy and practical tips

Have you ever noticed that over time the soleplate of an iron turns dark and gets clothes dirty when in use? This happens because, like any other appliance, an iron also needs maintenance and cleaning. But before knowing how to do this cleaning, it is important to know the differences between the types of iron and the materials used in the manufacturing ofhome one of them.

There are two types of irons for home use: dry irons and steam irons. The dry iron is the most common and simplest, it does not use liquid to help iron the clothes, only the heat of the soleplate. It usually takes longer to un-iron clothes and very heavy fabrics, but in compensation it is ideal for ironing silk and synthetic fabrics such as polyester. The steam iron, on the other hand, is more suitable forIt works with a water base, which is added to an internal compartment and transformed into steam during the use of the equipment.

In addition to this difference, irons can also have different bases, each made of a different type of material. The most common bases on the market are:

• - Aluminum: present in the oldest irons;
• - Teflon: Glides on easily, but has poor durability;
• - Ceramic: sliding base, distributes heat evenly and makes ironing easier;
• - Durilium : a more modern, slip-on material that allows better steam propagation and is more scratch-resistant.

As you can see, each material has advantages and disadvantages, so each iron will need a different product and cleaning method, according to the type of iron. To help you, we talked to the manager of Dona Resolve, Paula Roberta, who gave us several tips on how to clean an iron at home in an easy and simple way. But remember: before performing any procedureon your device, always read the instruction manual and observe if it needs any special care. Follow along:

1. the right frequency for cleaning your iron

Paula explains that the ideal is to perform the self-cleaning procedure monthly. To know how to proceed, just follow what the instruction manual says for your equipment, while the deep cleaning should be done whenever the iron's soleplate starts to accumulate dirt or present stains.

2. what products or tools not to use to clean your iron

Regardless of the type of iron and base, never use abrasive instruments or products, as they can damage or scratch the base. An example of this type of material is steel wool, which besides causing scratches, can remove the enamel from the base and make it less nonstick.

3. homemade cleaning mix

If stains appear on your iron plate, there is no need to worry, you can clean it thoroughly with products you probably already have at home.

The personal organizer teaches you a super simple recipe to get your iron clean: just mix half a cup of water with half a cup of white vinegar. This mixture can be used to clean the iron plate, the inner compartment, and the steam outlet; the difference between the two is the way it will be cleaned. To know exactly how to proceed, just read the following topics.

How to clean the iron soleplate

Before you clean and maintain any appliance, remember to consult the instruction manual to find out what type of material the base is made of and whether it requires any special care. If it does not, you can clean it at home without any problems.

Paula explains that the iron soleplate should be cleaned whenever it starts to show dirt or stains.

Irons with a non-stick soleplate can be cleaned using the homemade recipe of water with vinegar explained above. With the help of a soft sponge, apply this mixture over the entire soleplate while it is still warm, then wipe it off with a damp cloth and completely remove any residue.

For irons with non-stick soleplates you can choose to use the homemade mixture or you can apply a specific iron cleaner, which is easily found in the laundry section of local stores and markets.

5. how to clean the inner tank and steam outlet

To clean the internal reservoir and steam outlet of your iron, you can use the same homemade mixture of water and vinegar, just follow Paula's instructions: to clean the inside of the iron, fill half of the compartment with water and add the vinegar up to the fill line. Then turn on the iron and let it heat up for 15 minutes. Then turn off theappliance and let it cool down for an hour.

After this time, drain the water and vinegar mixture from the iron. Add water to the reservoir and repeat the whole process without adding vinegar. After an hour of cooling, pour the water out and the iron is ready to be used normally.

6. what to do if any clothes or plastics stick to the base

If you have ironed some clothes and you have stuck fabric or a piece of plastic to the soleplate of your iron, never try to scrape the stuck material with any kind of metal tool, it can permanently damage your iron! But, calm down, there is no need to despair! Paula gives a very practical tip that works perfectly for moments like these: "Take a sheet of aluminum foil, put it on the ironing board and put it on the soleplate with the soleplate facing down.After that, you just need to pass the iron, still hot, on the salt, until it loosens all the material that has stuck to it. Finally, pass a damp cloth on the bottom of the iron to remove all the residues, and your iron can be used again", she teaches.

7. how to keep your iron clean longer

When a garment is ironed at a higher temperature than recommended, the fibers of the fabric are burned and end up sticking to the soleplate of the iron. Over time, this residue builds up and stains the metal plate. To prevent this from happening, always look at the label on the garment and follow the instructions on the label. Another tip is to perform self-cleaning every month.

With these simple tips, you can see that it is quite easy to clean your iron, right? And the more attention you pay to your equipment, the longer it will last. A clean, well-maintained iron makes it much easier to iron your clothes - and increases the life span of the iron itself and of the clothes! All you need to do is put these tips into practice and don't forget the monthly maintenance.