11 tips for cleaning a burnt iron soleplate

Why are there burn marks on the soleplate of my iron?

The soleplate of your iron, the   heated metal part   of your appliance, is subject to the build-up of residue from synthetic fabrics, starch and dirt present on your clothes or other items. This can affect the proper functioning of the iron and leave burn marks. Also, if the water in the iron’s tank is hard, the minerals can clog the steam outlet holes or encourage rust formation.

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. Grab your appliance, cooled down and unplugged, and start by removing   any residue that has built up   in the steam holes. Use a toothpick, a clean toothbrush, or a cotton swab to clean everything thoroughly. Now you can get to work with our 11 tips for removing burn marks .

1. white toothpaste

How to do it?

1. Rub a little white toothpaste on the burn marks with a cotton swab or paper towel;
2. Wipe everything clean with a damp microfiber cloth.

If toothpaste is clogging your steam vents, here’s how to unclog them:

1. Pour distilled water into the tank of the device;
2. Place the iron vertically on a used towel;
3. Put it on “steam” and wait a few minutes;
4. Press the “steam” button for 20 to 30 seconds;
5. Clean with a damp cloth;
6. Repeat the operation 5 to 6 times until steam comes out of the holes normally.

2. white vinegar

1. Soak a clean microfibre cloth in white vinegar and rub your soleplate in small circular motions to remove all traces of limescale;
2. Soak a clean microfiber cloth in distilled water;
3. Dry everything carefully.

3. Baking soda

How to do it?

1. Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 teaspoon of water to make a thick paste;
2. Spread your dough on the soleplate of the iron, avoiding covering the steam vents;
3. Scrub the sole with a clean toothbrush;
4. Wipe everything with  a damp microfiber cloth to remove dirt deposits  .

4. Salt

How to do it?

1. Plug in your iron and set it to cool ironing without steam;
2. Place    a sheet of newspaper or parchment paper  on the ironing board and cover it with a thin layer of coarse salt;
3. Pass the sole over it using quick circular movements;
4. Repeat the operation adding salt if necessary;
5. Unplug the iron and, once cool, wipe the soleplate with a damp microfibre cloth to remove any residue. This is an effective cleaning method to try to remove the blackish layers.

5. The wooden spatula

How to do it?

If you accidentally melt a plastic button under the soleplate of your iron, here’s how to fix it:

1. Start by unplugging the iron and letting it cool;
2. Then place the iron in  a large bowl filled with ice cubes  to help harden the plastic stuck to the soleplate;
3. Use a wooden spatula to scrape off the plastic;
4. Make sure to remove all the plastic so that there is no residue left that could damage your clothes during your next ironing session.

Good to know:   Never use a metal object to clean the soleplate of your iron.

6. The magic cleaning eraser

How to do it?

1. Wet your eraser;
2. Erase burn marks to make them disappear.

Available in supermarkets or online, this eraser is very effective, especially when it comes to   hard water stains  .

7. the cotton swab

How to do it?

1. Clean clogged or dirty steam outlets with a cotton swab dipped in white vinegar. Effective, it will not scratch the soleplate of your iron.

8. paracetamol tablet

How to do it?

1. Set your iron to warm iron;
2. Take  a white, uncoated paracetamol tablet  with tweezers and rub it all over the sole of the device;
3. Make sure your pliers do not touch the surface of the sole. The tablet will gradually dissolve, removing residue in its wake;
4. Repeat the operation if necessary;
5. Clean the still-hot iron with a clean, damp towel, passing it over it as if you were ironing it.

9. The quality multi-surface cleaning product.

How to do it?

1. Spray the soleplate of your cool, unplugged iron with a small amount of your  multi-surface cleaner  ;
2. Leave the product to act for 30 to 60 seconds;
3. Wipe with a clean microfiber towel.

10. the solvent

How to do it?

1. Plug in your iron and wait for it to heat up;
2. Soak a piece of cotton with a teaspoon of  nail polish remover  ;
3. Wipe the surface of the sole to dissolve dirt.

11. Dryer sheets

How to do it?

1. Set your appliance to the lowest temperature;
2. Rub the sole with a fabric softener sheet;
3. Replace the fabric softener sheet with a new one until the  abrasive power  of the latter takes effect.

Keep the sole 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 new and functional to keep your clothes clean. Here are some practical tips for you:

1. Clean your device

Clean the cooled soleplate of your iron after each use with a damp microfibre cloth.

2. Use only distilled water

As explained above, hard water causes mineral buildup along the soleplate. Using distilled water will help reduce stains, keep your appliance’s “steam” function working properly, and increase the lifespan of your appliance.

Good to know:   If you don’t iron often, empty your iron’s reservoir to prevent mold growth.

3. Do not place your iron directly on the garment

Place a clean, thin cotton cloth or towel over the garment when ironing. This will form an effective “protective shield” between the soleplate of the appliance and the fabric and prevent dirt from accumulating.

4. Check that your fabrics can withstand ironing

Not all fabrics can withstand high temperatures and others deteriorate when they come into contact with steam. Read the labels on your clothes before ironing them. If there is no indication on the label, or if your sweater or other item is made of various fabrics, first set the iron to the lowest temperature and start by doing a test on a seam on the inside of your garment at the same time.