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.

Lint gets in the build up of sprays and even steam and burns causing the black marks. Any good cleaner should work. I use oven cleaner most of the time.

I had never heard of the dryer sheet but I used it yesterday and it worked like a charm.

And I have used coarse salt on a paper bag to clean my iron plate. Thanks, now I will try Mr. Clean!

This is why I love that shiny stainless steel soleplate on my Rowenta. I use 0000 steel wool. Comes right off.

Jpw do you use the dryer sheet? Cold iron or what setting. I'm afraid I'll melt the dryer sheet.

I use dryer sheets for my iron. It not for laundry! My iron is set at cotton setting, I place the sheet on top of a paper towel, rub iron back and forth until clean, then using another paper towel placed on ironing board, rub iron to remove any excess from dryer sheet. If only lightly dirty iron, the dryer sheet may be reused. If really dirty, you may need to use a couple of sheets. I keep mine dryer sheets and paper towels close by and do touch ups often. I have not tried the Magic eraser but will to compare.

When I worked as a hairdresser we would always get hair spray gunked up on our curling irons. We used 0000 steel wool to clean them. Someone else mentioned this. Just be sure not to get the steel wool any courser.

I wad up some foil and "scrub" my iron..works for me. I will try the dryer sheet next time! Love those tips!

Absolutely works! Easy Peazy! Just dampen the dryer sheet and go for it. The dryer sheet can be used, so it's not wasting a thing.

I use 'iron off' - believe that is the product name. Keep a tube in my laundry room. Squirt the goo onto a rag; run very hot iron w/no steam over the goo and then refold the rag and continue. Works like a charm. Get it at Walmart for cheap. Lots less work for me than some of the other suggestions mentioned.

I use that stuff in the tube (sorry I can't think of the name). Just a bit takes everything off. It's made for irons.

I accidently set my hot iron on the wrong side of iron-on interfacing, what a mess? I tried commercial iron cleaners too much work with too little results. A friend suggested dryer sheets and they did a great job.

Me too, it works like a charm.

I've used steel wool on a metal iron and wet green scrubby on a T-fal iron.

Dyer sheets are fast and easy and WORK great

I have used Gunk be gone, worked well.

I use the 0000 steel wool on mine too, but it takes a dremel tool and my husband's elbow grease to get it off. And it will be back in a month even without using sizing or starch. I think my Rowenta sends out spurts of very high heat from time to time. The next iron I buy with will cheap, so that I won't hurt so bad discarding it when unsatisfied.

I use salt on a brown paper bag and then run it over wax paper.

Interesting you recently posted this. I have been using Faultless premium for years and there has been very little build up on my iron (none noticed). Because I was using fusible recently I just cleaned my iron. Today I tried Niagra in the manual spray bottle. All I did was iron 300" of binding in half - I use starch when I do this to hold the fabric together while I iron it.

When I looked at the bottom of my iron it was horrible. the only part of the iron without gunk was where I actually iron the the binding in the middle of the iron.

I recently added a Steady Betty ironing board cover, but I don't think that has anything to do with it.

I suspect different starches act differently.

Yep. Dryer sheet works great.

I use a product called Iron-Off when I goof up and get fusible stuck on the bottom of my iron or starch. I keep it wrapped in an old rag and add the product onto this rag and then rotate my hot iron over it till it all comes off. Sometimes it might take a couple shots of it, especially when its totally covered with gunk. But it works. I got mine at Walmart.

Ive used Hot Iron cleaner in tube. Get the big tube near laundry aisle in WM. Have also used a damp Magic Eraser successfully. Recently read about using cheap white paste toothpaste. Haven't tried it, but I imagine it would work well.