Cleaning bottom of iron
 

I have inherited an iron that was my MIL's and when I went to try it out and I used some older plain fabric.
I had noticed on the bottom that there was some yellow/brown stain on it. When I tried it out on my practice
fabric it was stained. Does anyone know of what I could use to clean the bottom of the iron I love the iron it is an
older model and is real heavy and it seems to press real good from being heavier it has a metal bottom.

I don't want to miss any help I can receive from all the helpful ladies on this board.

Thanks
Eunice


"Dogs are children in fur coats"

Try Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. It works great on my iron.

Hi Eunice,

I use an old 'dry' (no steam abilities) GE iron and love it! I clean the soleplate by "hot ironing" kosher salt on a brown paper bag. The brown gook from the soleplate transfers to the salt.
I save the brown paper bag for future cleanings.
Hope this helps :)

Jae

I use Hot Iron Cleaner. Mostly Rowenta's, but I have also used another brand that I can't think of right now. It is the name of a famous iron. I'm sure someone else will mention it. But I love the Rowneta.

I just heard of this at Guild last night so I bought one today!

sandy

Recently I bought a nice little travel iron, at a thrift shop. When I got it home and tried to use it I realized that it had a sticky area on the sole plate. I tried every thing that I've ever used for stickiness and nothing worked. Finally, I did some looking around on the internet and found my solution.

I sprinkled salt on a brown paper bag and ironed back and forth, back and forth (with the iron turned on) over the salt until the stickiness was gone. It worked great!! Maybe this will help your problem, too.

You might start with on old washcloth that is very wet and double folded. Run your hot iron over it. It's amazing how much comes off (unless it's totally turned). Then you can use the other cleaners. Hopefully this will lessen the work.

There are commercial iron cleaners -- ask me how I know. When the iron is clean but doesn't want to slide you can iron over wax paper to take care of that problem.

Like Sheri.a, I wash the someplace and if that doesn't work (for the stray iron on stabilizer), then I press a fabric softener sheet with a hot iron.

Yup. i use these too.. I also heard a damp fabric softer sheet is suppose to work too.. Havent tried as I always have the Magic erasers on hand..

I agree with the magic eraser.

The magic eraser is great! It also works well for lots of other problems--nor does it take a lot of scrubbing to get good results.

Does the iron need to be warm for the magic eraser to work? I use unscented Bounce sheets to get fusible glue off, but the iron needs to be warm.

thanks,
Charlotte

There is also a product, Iron Off, I believe it is called. Works a charm. Spread the goo on an old rag/washcloth; use a VERY hot iron and wiggle the iron over/around the goo. Takes off any residue. If it's a stainless steel soleplate and is scratched either/as well, you can use a lower temp on the iron and press over wax paper. Will help replace the 'slippery' on the soleplate.

See Sharon Schamners youtube about cleaning the iron with the magic eraser. Works great

Fantastic post duster. Thanks sooooo much.

I always have those erasers on hand.

I use Magic Eraser for everything! Love it.

I like magic erasers and use them lots. BUT, I wonder what is in them that makes them 'magic'? I don't think I want to know...

bottom of iron/thanks
 

I went with the magic eraser and it worked fine . So thanks everyone for all your suggestions. I am going to save them in my favorites there are so many different ones.

Thanks again.
bigsky

Well, they are magic because they are made with baking soda that they found a way to make them into a sponge like material. They are safe on everything and yes, they are wonderful on glass stove tops as well as our irons. I love them on my corian countertops and sinks.

I just cleaned my iron with a magic eraser. Looks great now!! Thanks for this thread.

Dina

Iuse baking soda to clean anything/everything that refuses to come off with "regular" cleaners

Cleaning with Magic Eraser works. But make sure the iron is cool. Ask me how I know. And it is my rotary cutting finger.

I use the Rowenta cleaner on my Rowenta iron. But I LUV those Mr. Clean sponges !! :)

The Faultless Hot Iron Cleaner works very well. You put down some old fabric or I use about 6 or 7 layers of paper towels, place the cleaner on the towels then iron over it at the hottest setting, then you can use the magic eraser to remove some of the stubborn stuff that doesn't come off as easily. You can usually get this at Wal-Mart in the laundry area.

use a used dryer sheet

The Magic erasers are made from ground up Melamine. The same as the dishware. That's why it crumbles up when using.

Frieda Anderson sells an iron cleaner she swears by.

I use metal (silver) polish on mine when it's cool. Removes everything.

If you have stains on the bottom of the iron and it's a steam iron, I'd be worried about what is inside the iron. I would probably use vinegar to clean out the insides.

A scrunched up piece of tinfoil works well to remove that brown-ish residue. You can also use this method on ceramic-bottom irons on which you cannot use commercial iron cleaners.

I use Faultless Hot Iron Cleaner. You can get it at WalMart in the laundry section. froggyintexas

I use Dritz "Iron Off". I've used it on both Teflon bottomed irons and those with shiny sole plates. Works great on both. Tube lasts quite a while. Use it on hot iron - put Iron Off on an old wash cloth or thick fabric. Rub iron over the Iron Off and goo/stain lifts right off. Make sure you clean the steam vents (run steam through the iron to clear out any Iron Off that may have gotten into the vents). Using a wet cloth, run the iron over it to clean off the sole plate. Iron away with a spotless iron!


Anita

I've used just a plain old SOS pad-on metal sole plate only. Once rinsed, use waxed paper with salt and heated iron to help get its slide back.

I have used the same cleaner I use for my ceramic top range. It's made especially for the glass/ceramic top surface, but it does wonders for the soleplate on my iron!

Jeanette