I clean mine like my mother use to but not sure if it is right. I don't have teflon but have stainless steel. I use newspaper and put salt on it and rub it in the salt to remove the gook then I take wax paper sheets and rub my iron over them to get the smooth back. I have been doing this forever and never thought there was anything different. But now that you all talk about this other stuff mayber when I have to get a new iron I won't do this method.