I rarely use steam and never do for quilting. I have a Black and Decker iron that was around $25. It has a shiny metal sole plate that is easily cleaned with a Mr Clean eraser. Use it wet on a cold iron. I accidentally got plastic from a bag all over the sole plate of my hot iron. I found a tip to put the iron in the freezer to harden the plastic and chip it off. I didn't have room in my freezer so instead set my iron on a bed of ice cubes. It took some effort but the plastic did chip off and I was able to use my iron again.