7 Ways to Clean Your Burnt Iron so It Looks Like New

Irons are appliances that are regularly used in the home, but ironically they are most often neglected when it comes to regular maintenance and cleaning.

If you look closely, you’ll notice that your iron gradually goes dark on the base, something that’s usually caused by ironing synthetic fabrics.

The problem with this is that there comes a time when you will unintentionally ruin your clothes when you iron them because you didn’t clean your burnt iron.

This is such a common situation that we want to share some of the best tricks you can use at home to keep your iron looking like new.

Try them!

1. White vinegar to clean a burnt iron

This amazing product for household cleaning is also very useful when it comes to removing stains that have formed on your iron.

The acidic compounds facilitate cleaning and leave the surface with its original shine.

How do you use it?

• Heat a small amount of white vinegar and rub it on the iron using a cloth or sponge.
• If there are any bits that are burned into the holes on the bottom of the iron, take a q-tip and use the vinegar to clean these hard-to-reach areas.

2. Coarse salt

Salt is one of those products that’s useful for removing dirt and the remnants of fabric that stick to irons.

How do you use it?

• Take a piece of newspaper and cover it with a generous amount of salt.
• Warm up the iron and rub it along the paper from front to back until the stains disappear.
• The stains will be drawn out onto the newspaper and then all you need to do is wipe the iron with a clean cloth.

3. Toothpaste

One alternative use for toothpaste is to clean your burnt iron.

It can help remove any dark spots and leave it looking spotless for the next use.

How do you use it?

• Put a little toothpaste on the bottom of a cold iron and wipe it with a clean cloth.
• Then turn on the steam setting for five minutes and let the iron stand.
• When it’s warm, polish the bottom of the iron with a cloth and remove any remnants of toothpaste.

4. Candle wax

Another popular trick to make cleaning your iron easier is to use candle wax.

This substance extracts tough stains and leaves the base of your iron looking clean and like new.

How do you use it?

• Turn on the iron, rub a candle over any stains, and make sure it remains at a bearable temperature while you wipe off the wax with a soft cloth.
• If you don’t remove all of the stain apply a small amount of vinegar.

5. Laundry detergent

Laundry detergent is useful for cleaning your iron if it has a non-stick coating.

How do you use it?

• Combine the detergent with a little warm water, dip a cloth in the liquid, and rub it on to the appliance.

6. White vinegar and baking soda

Once again, the combination of white vinegar and baking soda makes life easier and simpler in the home.

In this case, the reaction between these two products removes stains that have formed on the iron, leaving it smooth and shiny.

Before trying this, be sure the appliance is not plugged in and wait for it to cool.

How do you use it?

• Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water together.
• Dip a cloth in the liquid and sprinkle a little baking soda on the surface.
• Rub the damp cloth over the iron, using circular motions to facilitate cleaning.

7. Lime and baking soda

The properties of lime juice combined with baking soda offer another great solution for cleaning a burnt iron.

The acidic compounds remove any substances that have stained your iron, giving it a shiny appearance.

How do you use it?

• Squeeze the juice from one lime and mix in a small amount of baking soda.
• Once you have a paste, rub it on the cold iron and let it set for five minutes.
• Remove any excess with a damp cloth and heat the iron for a few minutes to let it dry.

You can try whichever method you prefer and do this on a regular basis to clean your burnt iron.