Things You Will Need
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Pour the water out of the iron’s reservoir. Fill the reservoir halfway with white vinegar. Put the iron on the steam setting. Steam iron a cotton rag so that the vinegar can clean the holes in the iron’s soleplate (the metal piece that touches the clothes.) Iron until all of the vinegar is gone. Repeat the process if any white mineral residue remains in the iron's holes. Rinse the reservoir with lukewarm distilled water.
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Unplug the iron and let it cool upright for 30 minutes. Fill a bowl with 2 cups of water and 1 drop of dish detergent. Dip a sponge in the water, squeeze it out and scrub the soleplate.
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If rust and buildup remains, mix 1 cup hot water with 1 cup white vinegar and 1 tsp. salt. Stir the mixture until the salt dissolves. Scrub the soleplate with the mixture.
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Rinse off the cleaning solution. Wipe the soleplate with a wet cotton rag. Use the leftover water and dish detergent mixture to clean the iron’s exterior.
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Dry the iron with a dry cotton rag. If you’d like to make the soleplate look shiny and new, polish it with a microfiber cloth.
The Drip Cap
- Irons are prone to rust and carbon spots, which can leave dark streaks on your clothing.
- Put the iron on the steam setting.
- Rinse off the cleaning solution.
- Wipe the soleplate with a wet cotton rag.
- If you’d like to make the soleplate look shiny and new, polish it with a microfiber cloth.