How to Clean Your Iron to Avoid Damaging Your Clothes - Southern Living

Whether you use your iron daily or once a year (raises hand), it's important to clean it properly. There is nothing worse than accidentally staining your clean clothes because you haven't cleaned the iron for a long time. Below, we asked cleaning guru Sabrina Fierman for her best tips for cleaning and caring for your iron at home.

Sabrina Fierman is president of New York-based premium cleaning service Little Elves, based in Manhattan and Palm Beach, Florida.

How often should you clean your iron?

How often you deep clean your iron really depends on how often you use it. Fierman recommends using the following methods about once or twice a year, as needed, to keep your iron in optimal condition. In the meantime, if you see sticky stains or dirt on your iron, it's time to give it a thorough cleaning.

2 things to avoid when cleaning the iron

There are two things you should avoid when cleaning your iron.

1. Cleaning products. The first involves super-powerful cleaning products . "Avoid harsh products that can damage the iron's exterior coating," recommends Fierman.
2. Tap water. Secondly, you should avoid tap water. "It is best to use distilled water to clean the iron as it does not contain any metals." You can usually find distilled water at your local pharmacy or supermarket.

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what you need

• white vinegar
• Distilled water
• 1/2 cup measure
• A clean cotton cloth
• cotton swab
• Optional: baking powder or salt
  

How to clean the inside of an iron

First of all, you should always follow the iron manufacturer's recommendations for cleaning. If you don't have the appliance manual (because who really keeps that stuff?), you can often find it online by searching for your iron brand, product, and "manual" in the search bar.

If that doesn't help, the best way to clean the inside of the iron is as follows:

"Mix ½ cup of white vinegar and ½ cup of water and pour into the iron tank," suggests Fierman. "Turn on and set steam, wait five minutes, then press steam for 30 seconds and repeat four to five times." After that, turn off the iron, let it cool and pour the remaining vinegar solution. Feel free to repeat this process with distilled water to remove any residue.

How to clean the bottom of an iron

There are several methods you can use to clean the bottom of an iron. "Using white vinegar again, dip a clean cotton cloth in the vinegar and place the cold iron plate on the cloth," says Fierman. "Be sure to use a surface that will be protected or unaffected by the vinegar. Leave it on the cloth for 30 minutes and then dry it."

If you need some abrasive, Fierman recommends trying a 2:1 baking soda paste with baking soda and water. "Apply the paste and rub gently in circular motions. Be sure to wipe them with a clean, damp cloth," she says. "Another method is to apply large amounts of salt to the newspaper on your ironing board. Set the iron to heat and then iron in a circular motion over the salt until it is clean."

If you're having trouble cleaning the steam holes on the bottom of your iron, take a cotton swab and use the end to clean them. Similar to the above, you can dip the cotton swab in white vinegar for more effective cleaning.

2 tips to keep your iron clean longer

• Empty the water: To avoid unsightly stains on your clothing, empty the water tank between uses. You want to prevent mold from accumulating in the tank and potentially damaging clothing.
• The right setting: Be careful when ironing fabrics that can melt, such as: B. Polyester, be sure to adjust the heat according to the garment label . Most irons also have settings that determine what type of fabric they are suitable for. Finally, wipe the iron with a clean microfiber cloth after each use.
  

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