how to clean ironto keep it from sticking

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There are multiple ways you can remove sticky residue from your iron. Start with the gentlest technique first, and move on to a different method if that doesn't work. Plain water or paper are the gentlest techniques, followed by a soap solution or baby powder, and finally vinegar and/or salt. Ironing paper is one of the fastest ways to get the stickiness off your iron in a pinch. Heating vinegar and salt to clean your iron is one of the most thorough. If you're having trouble getting gunk out of the vent holes, try using a soft toothbrush, cotton swab, or a pipe cleaner with the soap or vinegar solution.

1
Rub your iron with a rag dampened with water first, if desired. If the stickiness on your iron is minimal, opt for this gentle method first. Heat your iron slightly on a low setting. Wet a rag with water so that it's damp, not dripping. Unplug the iron before scrubbing it with the rag.
- Bunch up the damp rag a bit and make sure not to touch the iron directly with your hand.
2

Mix a soap and water solution. If plain water doesn't do the trick, allow your unplugged iron to cool until it's at room temperature. Put a squirt of liquid dish soap in the bottom of a bowl. Fill the bowl with warm water.^[1]

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3
Rub off the buildup. Dip a sponge or rag into the soap solution. Squeeze out any excess water so that the sponge or rag is damp, not dripping. Scrub the soleplate of the cool, dry iron. Use a dry rag to wipe away the moisture.^[2]
- For stubborn gunk, try using a nylon mesh pad.
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1

Start with a cool iron. Unplug the iron from any power source. Let the iron cool until it is room temperature.
2

Rub baby powder onto the soleplate. Sprinkle some baby powder on a dishrag. Wipe the baby powder onto the iron with the dishrag.^[3]
3

Use the hot iron on 2 dishrags. Heat up your iron. Wipe the excess baby powder off by ironing the first dishrag. Then, repeat this on a second dishrag to ensure that all of the sticky residue is off of the iron.^[4]
4

Iron your garment. If the fabric is delicate, iron a small test area first on the inside of the garment. Ironing over 2 dishrags should ensure that no more sticky residue is left behind from the iron, but double check to be sure.^[5]

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1

Heat your iron. Turn your iron on the highest setting. Make sure the steam is turned off.^[6]
2
Run the iron over paper. Lay down a sheet of newspaper or paper towels. Slide the hot iron across the paper until it's free of residue.^[7]
- This works particularly well for waxy substances stuck to your iron.
3
Add salt, if needed. If your iron still has sticky buildup, pour a tablespoon of salt onto the paper. Run the iron over the salted paper to remove the residue.^[8]
- Alternately, you can sprinkle the salt on a dry cotton towel.
- This option will remove stickiness if you need to iron a garment in a hurry. However, it won't remove all staining from your iron.^[9]
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1
Heat vinegar and salt in a saucepan. Use equal parts salt and white vinegar. Set the burner to medium-high. Let the solution heat until bubbles start slowly rising, before the mixture comes to a boil.
- Crack a window if the smell of vinegar bothers you.
- Keep your iron turned off and unplugged.
2
Scrub the soleplate with the solution. Wear gloves to protect your hands. Wet a clean cloth or non-metal scouring pad in the solution by dipping the end into the pot. Use the rag or pad to clean the soleplate in a scrubbing motion: try circular, up and down, and side to side scrubbing until the soleplate is clean.
- Don't submerge your hand in the hot vinegar.
- A metal pad can scratch the soleplate of your iron.
3

Scrub the soleplate with a damp cloth. Once you're finished cleaning the iron with the vinegar-saturated cloth, wet a fresh cloth with distilled water. Wipe down the iron to rinse it. Allow the iron to air dry, or wipe it dry.

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Try setting your iron to low and ironing a dryer sheet to clean your iron's soleplate.^[10]
If there is melted plastic on your iron, try ironing some salt on a sheet of aluminum foil to loosen the residue.

Avoid using baking soda, which can clog the vent of your iron and is not good to use on Teflon coatings.

Things You'll Need

Mild liquid dish soap
Warm water
Bowl
Sponge or rag
Nylon mesh pad

Baby powder
2 dishrags

Newspaper or paper towels
Salt

Saucepan
White vinegar
Salt
Rubber gloves
2-3 clean cloths
Non-metal scouring pad

About This Article

Article Summary X

To clean a sticky iron, start by heating it on a low setting. Then, unplug the iron, and wipe it down with a damp rag. If the iron is still sticky, mix some dish soap and warm water, and scrub the iron with the mixture using a sponge or nylon mesh pad. You can also try sprinkling some salt on a sheet of newspaper and then ironing over it using the highest setting to clear off any sticky gunk. For more tips, like how to clean a sticky iron using vinegar and salt, scroll down!

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