How And How To Clean The Sole Of The Iron From Burning At Home

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-17 22:26

How to clean the soleplate of the iron: special tools and improvised methods

Modern irons are equipped with different types of surfaces. Teflon, cermets and other high-tech materials are replacing the usual metal sole. However, the problems of carbon deposits and contamination of the surface of the iron are still relevant. No matter how fashionable and expensive the purchased iron is, sooner or later something will stick to it, burn, or melt. This is not a reason to panic and think that the thing is irrevocably damaged. You just need to get rid of unwanted pollution in time and with the right means and remember about preventive measures that will help the device to serve for many years and keep the laundry clean and fresh.

Iron sole materials

When choosing an iron, pay attention to the sole material. Not all materials have the same resistance to dirt.

The traditional metals from which iron soles are made are aluminum, stainless steel and their alloys. Anodized aluminum or polished stainless steel are traditional options for the soles of budget irons. They have a high thermal conductivity, which, on the one hand, increases the efficiency of the device, but on the other hand, increases the risk of carbon deposits and the degree of contamination. Anything that can melt readily sticks to a hot sole without a protective coating. This means that dirt on the surface cannot be avoided.

To solve the problem of sticking and to protect the laundry from burns and stains, manufacturers have invented several options for coatings that are applied to the base base:

• enamel - improves sliding, easy to clean;
• titanium - wear-resistant, scratch-resistant, but has low thermal conductivity, which leads to high energy consumption;
• ceramics - uniform and fast heating, ease of cleaning, but fragility and tendency to chipping and cracking;
• Teflon is resistant to dirt, does not stick to synthetic fabrics, but is easily scratched and requires special care;
• sapphire - mineral abrasive grit is resistant to mechanical damage and scratches, it can even be cleaned with a metal brush.

Iron soles: variety of materials (photo gallery)

Aluminum outsole

Ceramic coated sole

Stainless steel outsole

Sapphire coating

Teflon outsole

Titanium coating

Some manufacturers, in order to ensure the safety of the ironing process and increase the service life of the devices, offer special nozzles for the sole of the iron. Non-stick pads exclude the possibility of burning through delicate, synthetic fabrics and products with drawings, stickers, etc.

Types of contamination

The main types of contamination of the soleplate of the iron are carbon deposits, deposits, burnt-on synthetics, salt accumulations in the steam holes, etc

The method of cleaning must be chosen taking into account the surface material and the type of pollution.

Methods for cleaning from burnt fabric (synthetics)

Try cleaning a small area with synthetic fabric or polyethylene stains with acetone (nail polish remover). To do this, moisten a cotton swab with liquid and wipe off the dirt.

Freshly burnt synthetics must be removed immediately, without waiting for the iron to cool. To do this, turn on the device at full power so that the synthetics are completely melted, and scrape off the dirt with a wooden spatula, and remove the rest with a soft, clean cotton cloth. Then press down on the terry cloth for final cleanliness.

Stainless steel and aluminum iron can be cleaned with baking soda. To do this, cool the device, mix the baking soda with water and the resulting gruel with a sponge, remove traces of burnt tissue.

Baking soda gruel can be used to wipe dirt off metal surfaces

Coated irons can be cleaned in a delicate way: rub a hot, dirty surface with laundry soap, then turn off the iron and cool. After that, wipe the cooled surface with a sponge soaked in water. Cloth adhering to the iron will easily peel off with the soapy water.

Removing carbon deposits with special and home remedies

The easiest and most effective way to remove dirt from any coating is to use a special pencil (REAM, DIAS, Typhoon, etc.), which can be purchased from the household chemicals department. The heated iron is rubbed over the contaminated area with a pencil. The pencil will melt during processing. You just have to wipe the surface dry: the melted pencil will "eat" any carbon deposits and deposits, including scale. To clean the steam vents, run through them with a pencil and then use the steam ejection function. For maximum effect, wipe each hole with a dry cotton swab.

Remove residual dirt in the steam holes with a cotton swab

Sulfur copes with carbon deposits on the iron. Try to rub the heated surface of the iron in the place of contamination with the sulfur side of the matchbox

The uncoated iron can be cleaned with salt. To do this, sprinkle a couple tablespoons of rock salt on a clean cotton cloth and iron it for a few minutes without much pressure at maximum power. Remember to turn off the steam function. The contamination should disappear. Never try to clean Teflon-coated irons this way.

How to clean an iron with salt (photo gallery)

Sprinkle salt on a clean napkin

Set the iron to maximum power by switching off the steam function

Iron the salt lightly

Abrasive cleaning agents are not suitable for irons with enamel, teflon and ceramic coatings, and knives and metal brushes are all the more contraindicated.

Here are some products that work for any type of sole:

1. A 1: 1 mixture of ammonia and table vinegar. Wipe the heated, but disconnected from the network device with the mixture. Handle the solution only with rubber gloves. The smell will not be pleasant, but the effect should please. In case of stubborn dirt, you can leave the iron on a cloth soaked in vinegar overnight.
2. Hydrogen peroxide or hydroperide. Wipe the surface with a cotton pad soaked in liquid.
3. Toothpaste. Apply toothpaste to the dirt and wipe with a damp cloth. Then wipe dry with a woolen cloth. Be careful not to get any toothpaste into the steam holes.

Video: how to clean an iron

Prevention of contamination

If you use the iron in accordance with the instructions and recommendations of the manufacturers, then you may not need the above recommendations at all. Therefore, when purchasing an iron, carefully read the rules for using the device and temperature conditions for various types of fabrics. Keep in mind that modern irons often have a self-cleaning function that must be used to get rid of scale on heating elements, holes and soles in time.

It is preferable to iron things made of synthetics through gauze. So you will protect both the iron and the thing. Iron the clothes with stickers on the wrong side. Then you simply won't face the problem of stains on the iron.

Always check to see if you have turned off the iron when you finish ironing. After using the iron, wipe the surface with a soft cloth dampened with citric acid solution.

Typically, wisdom comes with experience. And if you are reading this post, then most likely you have managed to spoil your iron a little. There is hardly a mistress who would not go through this. But now you have learned how to get rid of the problem with simple improvised methods.