I used to watch my mother and grandmother run their irons over waxed paper every time they began a project, or just to do normal ironing. It works well, cleans the stainless steel iron surface easily and effectively! I have never had any issues with using waxed paper on my own iron, and in fact, run for it every time I have a sticky iron. If you put it down first, then put your fabric on top of it, the starch won't build up on your ironing board cover either.