How do you clean your iron?
 

Even though I have a non-stick iron, it gets starch residue and gunky buildup all the time. I heard about using a Magic Eraser to clean it, and wow... it worked really well, but I don't know if the chemicals will pass from the iron to the fabric and cause problems. What iron-cleaning method works well for you?

I don't use starch, but I do use a lot of fusible web. I run my warm iron over a used dryer sheet to remove any glue from the soleplate and it works like a charm. It ought to work for starch (and other gunk) if it works for glue and without any damage to the teflon coating on your iron plus dryer sheets are fabric friendly to boot.

if I have it on hand I use Faultless Hot Iron cleaner in a tube, if I'm out I gently use an SOS pad.

Oh so glad to see this post. I have used spray starch and the bottom of my iron was really gunky. I used a dryer sheet and it worked liked a charm. Have also read somewhere that you can put salt on the ironing board and then running a warm iron over that. Haven't tried it so don't know.

I use the iron cleaner bought in the tube. Dritz or Faultless. Both work fine.

i have a teflon sole plate and don't seem to get starch residue stuck to it. i once had fusible stuck and just ran it over a dryer sheet as previously suggested

Way, way back in the old days didn't women iron on wax paper? I forget why they did.

I've heard a Magic Eraser works well, probably not on non stick since it is slightly abrasive.

I iron over a fryer sheet. Works great every time.

I've read somewhere that to prevent starch buildup that you can starch one side of your fabric, flip it over and iron on the opposite side. Has anyone tried this? I would put a piece of fabric down to cover my pressing board so that can be washed to prevent the board from getting gunked up.

I use a $6 iron bought at Walmart when pressing fusibles or glue. When it gets too gunky I toss it and buy another one. I find the $6 irons every now and then and buy several. They are handy to have for door prizes or sale tables without giving me a lot of fuss to find something to bring.

Since I own a Rowenta iron, I use the Rowenta soleplate cleaning kit that I buy at JAF when notions are on sale.

I do the spray/flip method. But more important than that is to let the fabric rest for at least 5 minutes or so after spraying to let the starch soak into the fabric fibers. No more starch flaking and much less build up on the iron!!!

I like the Rowenta cleaner. I've tried salt, magic eraser, dryer sheet and none work.

I use a silicone sheet when pressing with starch. My iron stays clean and
of course nothing sticks. :thumbup:

I never heard of dryer sheets.... do you use them fresh or after they come out of the dryer? Do you just run a hot iron over them?

Wet a wash cloth. An old rough one and iron on highest setting til it comes clean then on a dry cloth. I would rather use a Magic eraser than an SOS pad (even lightly). An SOS no matter how fine will scratch a groove.

I've used fresh dryer sheets. They work pretty well. Haven't tried the used ones, so I will save a few and try that out!

I use a paste made of baking soda and water. Haven't found anything yet that it doesn't clean off. And it's cheap.

First I run the hot iron over dryer sheets. That usually does the trick. Other times I use the Mr. Clean Eraser.

Used ones since the surface is a bit rougher for more friction and I still get the benefit of having them first for a dryer load of laundry. And, yes, a hot, dry iron back and forth (or scrubbed around) on top of it. :)

I use fragrance-free dryer sheets to clean off any fusible (new ones because it's the fabric softener that loosens up the fusible). I can usually remove the starch with just a wet washcloth while the iron is still warm (need to fold it a number of times so your fingers don't get too close to the hot sole plate). My current iron has an anti-calc feature to prevent white calcium build-up in the steam holes & also has a self-clean button. On my previous iron, I used Whink Steam Iron Cleaner.

I'm trying to be better about caring for my irons by using parchment paper or a pressing cloth to keep the fusible from getting on my iron. I also now usually let the spray starch seep into the fabric for a bit before ironing/pressing (and yes, I usually spray starch one side & iron the other side -- if it needs more starch, once I've finished one side, I'll repeat on the reverse).

My Mom always ran her iron over wax paper. I've done it myself. Dryer sheets are great too.

I use Magic Eraser and have not noticed any issues with the fabric, unlike a dirty iron which definitely messes up my fabric. I also use the small tube iron cleaners but do not care for the odor they seem to create.

There is good instruction on Nancy Notion about cleaning irons.

The best cleaner is to not allow a build up. Jeanne S is spot on.

No had some very stubborn stuff on my iron. Nothing worked until I used Barkeepers friend. Worked like a charm.

I use Faultless. It's quick and easy. Put a little on an old bath towel and then run your iron over it until clean.

Rob

I use spray starch when ironing my quilt pieces ( the spray and flip method) . I also use fuse able web both make my non stick sole plate a mess. I try to keep it cleaned off with running it over a wet towel after I am done ironing and the iron is still warm. Some times to get the mess off the sole of the iron I have to use a little Vinegar on the wet towel. But that Smells really bad. I sure would not use Mr. clean eraser or SOS, This will scratch the Iron sole plate. Irons like these have a coating on the bottom.
I am going to try the dryer sheets. I will sure watch at Wal-Mart for a $6.00 iron sale.
Doing a lot of sewing and crafting sure messes up a iron.
I try to keep a extra Iron for pressing dress clothes and not use it for my crafts.

I use a magic erasure but I seldom have to use it. I starch a lot but always let my fabric rest after I spray it for the starch to soak into the fibers. No flakes or mess on my iron. I roll it up and put it in a plastic bag like we used to do when we sprinkled clothes. Sometimes a while before I get back to it. I use liquid starch that I dilute in a spray bottle. I use a dish pan to spray into to keep the overspray contained.

I use a used dryer sheet. You need to lay it on a scrap piece of fabric tho, or the oils will seep onto your ironing board.