I think if your iron wasn't too expensive, I'd go for just pitching it. It's a great feeling to cut the cord off and toss it just before trash pickup, if you have trash pickup, because then you know it's out of your hands and won't worry you any more. Then get a cheapie one--I'm envious of the quilter who found four new irons at a resale shop!
I agree, Magic Eraser (the sponge with white on one side and blue on the other) does a great job of getting dried starch, etc. off iron soleplates. Astonishingly simple!
Dana