Thread: Iron Cleaning Pen

http://www.lazygirldesigns.com/produ...e-cleaning-pen

What a great idea.

Cleaning an iron is NOT one of my favorite chores. Interesting product. Leave it to Clover to come up something new. Love my Clover clips!

$17.00? Holy cow.

I love to use the Dritz Iron cleaner in the tubes. I think its about 3 dollars.

take a strip of non-poly batt (use use left over warm and natural) fold it so you have an envelope size a couple of layers thick, squeeze a strip on and rub your hot iron back and forth. I love the smell, it is just warmed wax. Nothing could be easier....

Originally Posted by KalamaQuilts

$17.00? Holy cow.
I love the smell, it is just warmed wax. Nothing could be easier....

Many years ago (like 40 or so), I took a block of paraffin sealing wax (the kind we used to used to seal jelly jars), wrapped it in 4 or 5 layers of fabric, and ironed it with a hot iron. The wax melted, cleaned the iron, and held the fabric on the wax. I still have that same block of wax, and have a "new" box of wax that has been in my cupboard since then. You will know how old it is when I tell you it is one pound of wax in 5 cakes and cost 23 cents. The price is still stamped onto the box. That's cents, not dollars.

This box was sold to make hobby candles, and has a list of household uses:
1. Seal cork or capped bottles by dipping tops.
2. Keeps iron smooth and clean.
3. Add 1 or 2 teaspoonfuls of wax to starch for easier ironing and neat appearance.
4. Lubricate sticky doors and drawers.
5. Paint melted wax on snow shovel for ease in shoveling wet snow.
6. Coat inside of garbage can to prevent rusting and for easier cleaning.
Numbers 2 and 3 can certainly be helpful to quilters.

[QUOTE=maviskw;7204155]Many years ago (like 40 or so), I took a block of paraffin sealing wax (the kind we used to used to seal jelly jars), wrapped it in 4 or 5 layers of fabric, and ironed it with a hot iron. The wax melted, cleaned the iron, and held the fabric on the wax. I still have that same block of wax, and have a "new" box of wax that has been in my cupboard since then. You will know how old it is when I tell you it is one pound of wax in 5 cakes and cost 23 cents. The price is still stamped onto the box. That's cents, not dollars.


I wonder where I could get some of this wax today?

Pretty expensive in my book.

The paste iron cleaner tube doesn't have that much in it. I had to use a whole tube to get my iron clean.

Really? I only clean the sole plate about once a year, mostly spray starch build up. A tube lasts me about 5 years.
I'm really careful when pressing fusibles, no accidents yet.

Great idea but with all my appliqué I would have to buy a box of them to keep my iron clean.