Cleaning 101: How to Clean a Burnt Iron

Wondering how to clean an iron? You're not alone! If you're noticing funky smells or scorch marks (caused by burned fabric) or funky smells, we've got the hacks you need to keep your appliance in great working order.

Keep reading to discover how to clean a burnt iron, why you should clean out the water reservoir more often, and much more.

Table of Contents 

• How to Clean the Bottom of an Iron
• Salt & Newspaper | Baking Soda | Vinegar & Baking Soda 
• Toothpaste | Paracetamol | Cotton Swabs | Magic Eraser
• Dull Knife & Ice Cubes | Dryer Sheets | Nail Polish Remover
• Natural Surface Cleaner

Why Should I Clean My Iron?

Residue buildup doesn't only make your iron less effective: It can also lead to gross smells, snagged materials, uneven steam production, and burn marks that'll stain fabrics. As if that's not enough, residue-covered irons can lead to fires.

1. Iron Over Salt & Newspaper

Turn your iron on a warm setting (without steam). Place a piece of newspaper or parchment paper on the ironing board and cover with a thin layer of salt. When the iron is heated, rub it quickly over the salt – in a circle – for one minute. Repeat, refreshing salt as necessary.

Unplug the iron, let it cool, and remove remnants with a damp microfiber cloth.

2. Scrub with Baking Soda

Who doesn’t love the cleaning power of baking soda? Create a thick paste of 2 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Next, cover the iron plate but avoid covering steam vents. Scrub with a clean toothbrush and wipe away with a damp microfiber cloth.

3. Rub on Vinegar & Baking Soda

Distilled white vinegar and baking soda make for an effective iron cleaning combination – and you probably have them in your pantry. Make a paste with equal parts vinegar and baking soda, dip a clean microfiber cloth into the paste, then rub it in small circles over the soleplate.

Dip a clean microfiber cloth into distilled water (especially important if you have hard water) and thoroughly wipe off any paste residue.

4. Wipe with Toothpaste

Using a cotton bud or paper towel, rub a small amount of plain, white toothpaste (not gel) onto your iron's scorch marks. Only cover the affected areas and wipe off with a damp microfiber cloth.

If toothpaste gets into the steam vents, don't worry: Fill the tank with distilled water, place the iron upright on an old towel, set the iron to steam, and let it sit for a few minutes on the ironing board. Hold the steam button for 20-30 seconds and wipe with a damp cloth. Repeat 5-6 times until the steam flows freely.

5. Rub Iron with Paracetamol

Paracetamol (e.g. acetaminophen, Tylenol) is handy to clean scorched iron. Be sure to use a white, uncoated variety!

Turn your iron on high, grasp a paracetamol tablet with a pair of tweezers, and rub the tablet all over the soleplate. Avoid touching the hot surface with your tweezers. The tablet should gradually dissolve into a gel, dissolving residue right along with it. Repeat as many times as necessary, then rub the hot iron over a clean, damp towel.

6. Clean Out with Cotton Swabs

If you find that your iron's steam holes are clogged or grimy, clean them out using a cotton swab dipped in white vinegar. Cotton swabs are perfect for cleaning out steam vents, especially since they don’t scratch the plate’s surface.

7. Use a Magic Eraser

The secret to using a magic eraser to clean an iron? Get it wet, and then run it on the burn marks until they disappear. This tip especially works if your iron is marred with hard water spots.

8. Scrape with a Dull Knife and Ice Cubes

If you've ever accidentally sewed over a plastic button and have it melted onto the fabric, you know it can be tough to remove. First, unplug your iron and let it completely cool. Once cooled, place the iron onto a bowl or pan of ice cubes. This will harden any plastic that's stuck to the iron. 

Then take a dull plastic knife or wooden spatula and scrape at the plastic. Make sure all plastic is completely removed to avoid getting it on your next load of clothing to be ironed.

9. Rub with Dryer Sheets

Did you know dryer sheets can work in a pinch to clean an iron? Thanks to its mild abrasive qualities, they can work wonders. Put your iron on its lowest setting, and then rub the plate with dryer sheets. Replace the dryer sheet once it gets too hot with another one.

10. Wipe the Surface with Nail Polish Remover

Again, if you're in a pinch, you can use nail polish remover to tackle grime and residue. Turn on your iron, and once it's hot, take a cotton ball dipped in nail polish remover and wipe the surface so that the solution absorbs dirt. You'll see dirt dissolve before your eyes!

11. Use the Right Natural Surface Cleaner

Start with a cool, unplugged iron and spray the soleplate with Puracy Multi-Surface Cleaner. Let the formula sit for 30-60 seconds, then scrub with a clean microfiber towel. It’s absolutely that easy.

Pro Tip: Our 99.51% natural all-purpose spray can be safely used on any non-porous surface. Unsurprisingly, this makes it an unbelievable iron cleaner.

1. Know Which Fabrics Can Be Ironed

Some types of fabric can’t handle high heat, others shouldn’t use steam. It's always recommended to read clothing tags to determine their specific ironing instructions. When in doubt – or if you're ironing a garment made of multiple fabrics – start with the lowest heat setting and test an interior seam.

2. Create a Barrier

Use a clean press cloth/thin cotton towel every time you iron. It acts an effective barrier between your iron’s soleplate and prevents gunk caused by synthetic fabrics.

3. Use Distilled Water

If your area has hard water, distilled water will help maintain your iron’s steam function and decrease mineral buildup along the soleplate.

Pro Tip: If you only iron occasionally, dump the water out to prevent mildew growth.

4. Wipe It Down

After every use, wipe your cooled soleplate with a damp microfiber cloth. This is especially true if you’re using starch.