Difference between revisions of "Clean the Bottom of an Iron"
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== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
=== Using Vinegar and Salt === | === Using Vinegar and Salt === | ||
| − | #Mix a 1:1 solution of vinegar and salt in a saucepan. Place the pan on the stove and heat the mixture until the salt dissolves. You can stir occasionally to help this process along. Make sure you remove the saucepan before the vinegar starts to boil.<ref>http://www.ebay.com/gds/Top-5-Organic-Ways-to-Clean-an-Iron-/10000000178571770/g.html</ref> | + | #Mix a 1:1 solution of vinegar and salt in a saucepan. Place the pan on the stove and heat the mixture until the salt dissolves. You can stir occasionally to help this process along. Make sure you remove the saucepan before the vinegar starts to boil.<ref name="rf15707">http://www.ebay.com/gds/Top-5-Organic-Ways-to-Clean-an-Iron-/10000000178571770/g.html</ref> |
| − | #Dip a clean rag in the heated vinegar-salt solution. Make sure you wear waterproof gloves, such as dishwashing gloves, to protect your hands from the hot mixture. Depending on the surface you want to work on, you might want to cover it with a towel or some newspaper. Vinegar can be especially damaging to surfaces like stone and marble.<ref | + | #Dip a clean rag in the heated vinegar-salt solution. Make sure you wear waterproof gloves, such as dishwashing gloves, to protect your hands from the hot mixture. Depending on the surface you want to work on, you might want to cover it with a towel or some newspaper. Vinegar can be especially damaging to surfaces like stone and marble.<ref name="rf1591" /> |
#Wipe the bottom of your iron gently until it's clean. Don’t forget to scrub the steam vents as well to dislodge possible buildups. If necessary, wipe the outside of your iron down as well. | #Wipe the bottom of your iron gently until it's clean. Don’t forget to scrub the steam vents as well to dislodge possible buildups. If necessary, wipe the outside of your iron down as well. | ||
#*Note that the vinegar-salt mixture can also remove burn marks from your iron's soleplate. | #*Note that the vinegar-salt mixture can also remove burn marks from your iron's soleplate. | ||
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=== Using Baking Soda === | === Using Baking Soda === | ||
| − | #Mix baking soda and water. Use 1 tablespoon of water and 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Mix in a small bowl until no water remains and the mixture becomes a paste.<ref | + | #Mix baking soda and water. Use 1 tablespoon of water and 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Mix in a small bowl until no water remains and the mixture becomes a paste.<ref name="rf10872" /> |
#Use a spatula to spread the paste onto the iron. Focus on areas with particularly strong buildup. Make sure to coat the steam vents as well. Don’t lay the paste on too thick, just enough to evenly coat the soleplate. | #Use a spatula to spread the paste onto the iron. Focus on areas with particularly strong buildup. Make sure to coat the steam vents as well. Don’t lay the paste on too thick, just enough to evenly coat the soleplate. | ||
#Wipe off the paste with a damp cloth. Don’t hesitate to scrub at more tenacious spots. Wipe until no paste remains and the grimy buildups have been removed. | #Wipe off the paste with a damp cloth. Don’t hesitate to scrub at more tenacious spots. Wipe until no paste remains and the grimy buildups have been removed. | ||
| − | #Clean the steam vents with cotton swabs. Dip a cotton swab into water and insert it into the steam holes. Scrub to remove mineral deposits and the baking soda paste.<ref | + | #Clean the steam vents with cotton swabs. Dip a cotton swab into water and insert it into the steam holes. Scrub to remove mineral deposits and the baking soda paste.<ref name="rf10872" /> |
#*After cleaning the steam vents, bring the iron to your sink. Pour out any water that may have entered the steam holes. | #*After cleaning the steam vents, bring the iron to your sink. Pour out any water that may have entered the steam holes. | ||
#*Avoid the temptation to use paper clips or other hard, metal items that could scratch your iron's steam vents. | #*Avoid the temptation to use paper clips or other hard, metal items that could scratch your iron's steam vents. | ||
| − | #Fill the iron with water and iron a cloth. Make sure to use a cloth you’re not too attached to, as some tenacious residues may end up staining it. Turn the iron to its highest setting and iron for a few minutes; the clean water will flush out any remaining deposits.<ref | + | #Fill the iron with water and iron a cloth. Make sure to use a cloth you’re not too attached to, as some tenacious residues may end up staining it. Turn the iron to its highest setting and iron for a few minutes; the clean water will flush out any remaining deposits.<ref name="rf10872" /> |
#*Pour out any remaining water over a sink. | #*Pour out any remaining water over a sink. | ||
#*Let the iron dry. Make sure not to leave it on a sensitive surface, in case sediments drip out of the steam vents. | #*Let the iron dry. Make sure not to leave it on a sensitive surface, in case sediments drip out of the steam vents. | ||
=== Using Other Household Products === | === Using Other Household Products === | ||
| − | #Mix warm water and mild dish soap together in a bowl. The amount of dish soap you’ll use depends on how dirty the iron is. Keep in mind that the resulting solution should be far less concentrated than what you use to clean dishes.<ref | + | #Mix warm water and mild dish soap together in a bowl. The amount of dish soap you’ll use depends on how dirty the iron is. Keep in mind that the resulting solution should be far less concentrated than what you use to clean dishes.<ref name="rf15707" /> |
| − | #Dip a cotton rag in the soap and wipe the iron's soleplate. Make sure to scrub the steam vents as well, as these are a typical spot for buildups. You can also wipe the rest of the iron to deal with any grime.<ref | + | #Dip a cotton rag in the soap and wipe the iron's soleplate. Make sure to scrub the steam vents as well, as these are a typical spot for buildups. You can also wipe the rest of the iron to deal with any grime.<ref name="rf15707" /> |
#*This kind of gentle cleaning is ideal for Teflon-coated soleplates which, just like Teflon-coated cookware, keep substances from sticking but are very vulnerable to scratches. | #*This kind of gentle cleaning is ideal for Teflon-coated soleplates which, just like Teflon-coated cookware, keep substances from sticking but are very vulnerable to scratches. | ||
#Dampen a cloth with water and wipe the iron. Wipe until all traces of the soap are gone. Place the iron upright on a counter or table and let it dry; you can place a towel under the iron to catch any dripping water. | #Dampen a cloth with water and wipe the iron. Wipe until all traces of the soap are gone. Place the iron upright on a counter or table and let it dry; you can place a towel under the iron to catch any dripping water. | ||
| − | #Put a small amount of toothpaste on the iron’s soleplate. Make sure you use white toothpaste rather than gel; the former has a foaming effect that the latter lacks. Use an amount no larger than a quarter.<ref | + | #Put a small amount of toothpaste on the iron’s soleplate. Make sure you use white toothpaste rather than gel; the former has a foaming effect that the latter lacks. Use an amount no larger than a quarter.<ref name="rf15707" /> |
| − | #Scrub the toothpaste over the soleplate with a rag. Pay particular attention to the steam vents, as various kinds of residue tend to build up there.<ref | + | #Scrub the toothpaste over the soleplate with a rag. Pay particular attention to the steam vents, as various kinds of residue tend to build up there.<ref name="rf10875" /> If your iron’s soleplate is particularly dirty, you can also use a kitchen sponge or scrubber to dislodge the grime. Avoid using a metal scrubber, as this will scratch the soleplate. |
#Wipe off the toothpaste with a damp cloth. Rub thoroughly to ensure that none of the toothpaste remains. Otherwise you might stain your clothes when trying to use your iron. | #Wipe off the toothpaste with a damp cloth. Rub thoroughly to ensure that none of the toothpaste remains. Otherwise you might stain your clothes when trying to use your iron. | ||
| − | #Fill the iron with water and iron a cloth. Make sure to use a cloth you’re not too attached to, as some tenacious residues may end up staining it. Turn the iron to its highest setting and iron for a few minutes; the clean water will flush out any toothpaste that might have been rubbed into the steam vents.<ref | + | #Fill the iron with water and iron a cloth. Make sure to use a cloth you’re not too attached to, as some tenacious residues may end up staining it. Turn the iron to its highest setting and iron for a few minutes; the clean water will flush out any toothpaste that might have been rubbed into the steam vents.<ref name="rf10872" /> |
#*Pour out any remaining water over a sink. | #*Pour out any remaining water over a sink. | ||
#*Set the iron out to dry. | #*Set the iron out to dry. | ||
=== Cleaning the Steam Vents === | === Cleaning the Steam Vents === | ||
| − | #Pour white vinegar into the iron’s reservoir. Only fill the reservoir up to a third. If you’re concerned that white vinegar is too abrasive, you can also make a solution that’s equal parts water and vinegar.<ref | + | #Pour white vinegar into the iron’s reservoir. Only fill the reservoir up to a third. If you’re concerned that white vinegar is too abrasive, you can also make a solution that’s equal parts water and vinegar.<ref name="rf10875" /> |
#Turn on the iron and let it steam. Use the iron’s high heat setting. Let the iron steam until the vinegar has completely evaporated. This should take between 5 and 10 minutes. | #Turn on the iron and let it steam. Use the iron’s high heat setting. Let the iron steam until the vinegar has completely evaporated. This should take between 5 and 10 minutes. | ||
#*Alternatively, you can lay a piece of cloth on an ironing board and iron it until the reservoir empties. You’ll then be able to see all the filth removed from the iron. | #*Alternatively, you can lay a piece of cloth on an ironing board and iron it until the reservoir empties. You’ll then be able to see all the filth removed from the iron. | ||
#*Make sure you use cloth you’re fine with throwing out. It will likely get stained and marked from this process. | #*Make sure you use cloth you’re fine with throwing out. It will likely get stained and marked from this process. | ||
| − | #Fill the iron with plain water. Make sure you fill the reservoir completely, and turn on the iron. Let it steam until the reservoir is empty. This will simultaneously remove any remaining gunk in the steam vents and clear the iron of any leftover vinegar.<ref | + | #Fill the iron with plain water. Make sure you fill the reservoir completely, and turn on the iron. Let it steam until the reservoir is empty. This will simultaneously remove any remaining gunk in the steam vents and clear the iron of any leftover vinegar.<ref name="rf10875" /> |
#*After steaming, make sure to wipe the soleplate with a rag to clean off any remaining residue. | #*After steaming, make sure to wipe the soleplate with a rag to clean off any remaining residue. | ||
#Use a cotton swab to finish cleaning the steam vents. Dip a cotton swab into a solution that’s equal parts vinegar and water. Rub the cotton swab over and in each steam vent in turn. This will remove more resilient buildups. | #Use a cotton swab to finish cleaning the steam vents. Dip a cotton swab into a solution that’s equal parts vinegar and water. Rub the cotton swab over and in each steam vent in turn. This will remove more resilient buildups. | ||
