Gunk/crud on the bottom of my iron
 

I'm not sure what it is/was - or how it got on there -

but I just noticed black marks on a block I was pressing - and then I looked at the bottom of my iron - it had crud on it.

The only thing I can think of is that some starch or sizing might have built up on it.

Had you been using any fusible without a teflon pressing sheet?

Definitely starch/sizing will build up on your iron .... and the ironing board cover.

Bottoms Up!! ... time to do a good spring cleaning on said iron.

I just read a pic of this problem in a magazine. that said to heat the iron, take a Tylonel pill in a soft rag and rub on the bottom of the iron. the gunk comes off. I've done this myself though.

Use a laundry dryer sheet, should clean the sole plate.

I just used some Shaklee Scour Off (love that product) on a damp cloth and removed the crud from the bottom of the iron.

I haven't done anything with fusible, so it had to be the starch/sizing - knew there was another reason I was not overwhelmingly fond of using the stuff (starch/sizing).

Okay - I will concede that starch/sizing does give a nice finish to a completed block. I will also concede that using starch/sizing on fabric before cutting it stabilizes it.

I still think that if a fabric is wimpy/limp/flimsy as is - I would not use it for most of my piecing projects.

I'm just irritated at myself for getting dark stuff on a block before noticing that I should have checked the bottom of my iron. sigh.

I use Mr. Clean Magic Erasers if the crud is really bad.

Those Magic Erasers are awesome! Wonderful for cleaning the shower base -

I love Mr Clean Magic Erasers! They work on a lot of stuff and don't damage surfaces. I'll have to try them on my iron.

for a bit of starch buildup i used a wet wipe on my iron. worked well.