Have you used a used dryer sheet to clean the iron? They are amazing. Heat your iron, not too hot then turn off and while still warm used one or two waded up USED dryer sheets. It is unbelievable how easy it is to clean an iron using them. If it all doesn't come off first time around, heat the iron again and repeat process.
I had read this and wondered about it. Of course the first time I did I used a new dryer sheet. Not a good idea because it left it with a greasy film.
At a quilt retreat the facility's iron was bad. I had taken some used dryer sheets and it cleaned up first try...it was much appreciated by all of us!