How to Clean an Iron with Vinegar and Baking Soda

To maintain the functionality and longevity of household appliances it is essential to keep them clean. Same as, if you want clean crisp wrinkle-free clothes it’s necessary to keep your steam iron plate clean. As, over time, it’s common for the iron’s soleplate to accumulate residue and mineral deposits that can affect its performance. Moreover, sometimes it leaves marks or stains on clothes too.

However, there are several commercial cleaning products available, but we here tell you the cost-effective and eco-friendly solution involves using two household ingredients: vinegar and baking soda. Yes, you read it right that clean iron with vinegar and baking soda. Way to remove mineral deposits and maintain iron soleplate performance.

Why Choose Vinegar and Baking Soda?

Vinegar and baking soda are household staples known for their cleaning process. Vinegar’s acidity helps dissolve mineral deposits while baking soda’s gentle abrasive nature aids in scrubbing away residue. Together, they make a powerful duo to restore your iron’s functionality and appearance.

Clean an Iron with Vinegar and Baking Soda: Step-by-Step Guide

Materials You Will Need:

  • Water
  • White vinegar
  • Baking soda
  • Cotton swabs
  • Soft cloth
  • Old toothbrush

Method:

Step 1: Unplug the Iron

First, unplug the iron from the electric connectivity and let it cool if the iron is hot.

Step 2: Clean an Iron with Vinegar Solution

Mix the equal portion of water and vinegar and mix the solution well. Apply the solution with the soft cloth on the iron soleplate and gently rub and wipe the irons plate it will purge the grime and dirt from the soleplate.

Step 3: Clean an Iron with Baking soda Solution

If there are stubborn stains that will not get removed from the vinegar solution. For those stains, a solution of baking soda and water is best.  Mix baking soda with some drops of water and apply the paste on those stains and leave for 10-20 minutes. Then gently scrub with the old brush slowly and gradually until it breaks down mineral buildup and removes stains from your iron’s soleplate.

Step 4: Clean an Iron with a Mixture of Vinegar and Baking soda

If the stains do not get removed from the above two methods, you can use another powerful solution of vinegar and soda. Take a towel and dip in the solution, then take out the extra water from squeezing. And rub the iron on the towel like you are ironing for some time. After that clean it with a wet clean soft cloth or towel.

Rub the iron on the towel wet with a mixture of vinegar and baking soda.

Step 5: Clean Soleplate Holes

Use cotton swabs to clean soleplate holes. Dip the swab in the vinegar solution and clean the hole with them. After that clean the whole soleplate with a clean wet cloth to wipe away any vinegar and baking soda residue.

Step 6: Rinse the Water Tank

Empty the water tank and rinse the steam iron reservoir with clean water to prevent any vinegar and baking soda leftovers. Turn on the iron and set it to the steam setting. Allow the iron to heat up for a few minutes. This will help evaporate any remaining moisture from the cleaning process to prevent from affecting steam quality.

Step 7: Wipe the Iron

Wipe the iron with a clean damp cloth. Finally, your clean iron is ready to use. 

Safety Measure

Perform a patch test on an inconspicuous area to ensure compatibility with your iron.

Conclusion

The soleplate of your iron doesn’t be difficult to maintain. You can effectively clean stains and mineral deposits from your iron by using everyday products like vinegar and baking soda, ensuring that it keeps operating at its best.

Following these detailed instructions will make getting your iron soleplate back to new condition simple, guaranteeing crisp, crease-free clothing each time you iron. Enjoy the advantages of a well-maintained iron that endures time by embracing the simplicity and efficacy of these natural cleaning techniques and cost-effective solutions. You can further check many ways of cleaning an iron using simple household products.