Is the sole plate teflon? My mother taught me a nifty trick to clean the bottom (if not teflon). Take a few sheets of newspaper and lay them stacked on the board and generously sprinkle table salt on it. Heat the iron (No steam) and with a little elboe grease, simply rub the iron over the salt in circular motion, then when clean, take a damp cloth and just wipe it. Worked everytime for me. It doesn't harm the sole plate-I wouldn't use harsh chemicals (oven cleaner).