My mother always used the waxed paper trick.

Yup the used dryer sheet works like a charm

Wax paper. Also hot iron cleaner that I get at my LQS. Use flannel scraps to iron onto....does not scratch the plate.

Dritz Hot Iron Cleaner (available in the notions department) has saved many irons for me.

brown paper bag and salt, just iron the salt

I have always used distilled water in my iron, however, my new Black & Decker's insructions said that it was not necessary.

I ran the iron over wax paper, always seemed to work.

I also had an expensive rowenta iron but now use a $7.98 one I bought on sale at the grocery store. It is the best I have used.

Also adding to the Rowenta Hot Iron Cleaner, it stinks to high heaven, but it does work.

dryer sheet

When I had sticky gunk on my iron plate I sprinkled salt on a folded sheet of waxed paper and with a low heat on the iron, I ironed over the salt and then ironed on two layers of old dryer sheets. Then I rubbed the plate with crumpled up dryer sheets - not too sure what worked the best but it all worked eventually. Does require some "elbow grease".