Scorched ironing board cover
 

I seem to always scorch my ironing board cover, even the ones that claim to NOT scorch. I always use steam - and it's set on cotton. Does anyone else have this problem or can you give me some words of wisdom on how to prevent this from happening.

I had a cheap one from WalMart on, got a (what I thought) good one from Bed, Bath and Beyond which was well padded and two sided. I left the old one on and put the new one on over top of that. I've had the second one on for about 6 months now but after about 3 months it started to get very browned/scorched at the end where I do most of the ironing. Took it off tonight and thought maybe if I sprayed it with a stain remover and give it a good washing maybe I could get some of the brownness off.

I was thinking that before I put it back on maybe I should put a layer of insulbrite on top of the ironing board and then the cover back over that. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Have you used the same iron all the times you have done this?
Perhaps the iron setting is not quite accurate and you should adjust down a bit.

Jan in VA

Tartan, that's a good idea of using the freezer paper, hopefully I can wash out some of the stained area and I will use your method from now on. I do use starch and also Best Press, depends on what I'm ironing, and I was wondering if that stuff was the cause of my problem.

Jan in VA, I have used 2 different irons over the past few years and had the same problem with both, but I will turn the heat down a notch and see what happens.

Thank you ladies for your advice

THANKS for posting your suggestion again Tartan. I think that the they are stains from the starch being scorched.

Sure glad to know I'm not the only one with this problem. I thought it was because I used to spray starch my fabrics on the ironing board and then let them dry before I pressed them, thinking it was the starch that burned. But this last time while pressing some light colored fabrics, the stain pressed into the fabrics. Sure hope it comes out when I wash it. But I'm lucky enough on this particular project as the coloration won't be noticed as much.

great tips here. i used the freezer paper once, but have forgotten. need to keep it in mind

I know this may sound crazy but I wash my ironing board cover. I also use the iron cleaner. And with steam and a high setting to clean my iron I run my iron across a terrycloth towel at the highest setting. When my iron is cold, I have also used the micro fiber sponge or cleaning cloth like they use on cars. If it won't damage the finish on a car, it won't damage the iron plate. I just dampen it with cold water and wipe. A true scorch won't wash away. It's same thing as a burn.

I get scorch marks where I had "loose" water. Now I try to wipe spills up before the iron touches them.

When I got a new Rowenta I wanted to know what they highest temperature was. So I called them. Apparently, they don't make their irons to certain temps at the settings. Instead, they could have a range of temperatures. So each iron could be of a different temperature at any setting. I needed a temperature of 350º but the iron only got to 340º at the highest setting. I don't know if this is true of other brands of irons, but it is possible that you have an iron that gets a lot hotter than other people.

I don't know exactly what my husband measured the temperature for me, but he used a thermacouple and I put my iron on top of it.

Snooze, I also think a lot of my problem is from spray starch. I've had it come thru on other fabric and it did wash out, but then I took the fabric immediately to the sink and washed that particular spot.

I've been soaking the cover nearly all morning and some of the ugly color actually did come out - the water was brown!!. It's now in the washing machine and hopefully with proper agitation more will come out. I know it should have never gotten to this point but I use it alot so maybe I'll get a spare to switch off every once in a while so one of them can be washed properly. I've seen several tutes on making your own ironing board cover so maybe one of these days I'll make one - this way I can get a really pretty one instead of the boring ones you buy.

I really appreciate everyones input, and the tip about using freezer paper is great. I will make sure I get a roll of and keep it in the sewing room.

If you wash your cover put it on your board while wet. It will dry snug and so much easier to get on the board wet then dry. I put piece of muslin over the cover and pin it underneath the board. Change it out when it gets yucky. I use a big board so I cover it quiet often with new fabric because I get tired of the same print.

The big board are great because of their shape - no narrow end. I inherited my mothers Polder ironing board so it's about 30 years old but still in great shape. Would love to have a big board but they are so expensive. Been thinking about have a friend make me one that I can put over my current ironing board. Have seen instructions on how to do that. They would definitely be easier to re-cover when necessary.

My mother used to use sheets for her ironing board. I do the same. When it gets bad, I wash and dry it, and fold it differently before putting it back on. I use elastic, with clips on the ends to attach it.

I cut a white piece of sheet to cover my iron surface when using starch and after a few times , I throw it in the washer.

I have the same problem with scorched iron board covers glad to hear I am not the only one. Thanks for the advice.
eunice

You don't need fancy plans to make a big board. A 1/2" thick piece of plywood cut into a rectangle will sit on top of your ironing board just fine. It won't fall off unless you push it off.

My ironing board was so stiff when I took it off I was afraid it would crack :D. I first soaked it in the bath tub to soften it then put it in the washer with a couple of towels and oxiclean.. several rinses to make sure the starch was all out. It wasn't as pristine as the day I bought it but it was softer and clean..I had never washed a cover before and it's hard to find a cover for the board I have.

Well, I put the cover in the washing machine and it came out pretty clean. I took to heart someones tip about putting down a cloth when starching, found an old crib sheet and cut the elastic off. Don't have any freezer paper at the moment, but will get a roll and start using that.

Just bought some iron cleaner and will give the iron a good cleaning this weekend. About 2 weeks ago I ran some diluted vinegar thru the iron and it really helped loosen a lot of stuff - must have been steaming for close to 10 min. but unfortunately I didn't have any iron cleaner to help clean the holes and steam plate. But I have that now and will get the soleplate cleaned, and I will NEVER again let my ironing board cover get so bad. I really do appreciate everyone advice and tips. I thought, when I posted my message, that you girls would think I was an idiot, but what the heck, I just threw it out that and I can't believe the responses. Glad to hear that I am not the only one who has/had this problem.

Thank you again to everyone!!!

My ironing board cover always gets scorched and stained and I have been ironing for over 50 years. When it gets too bad, I go out, buy another, and start the process all over again. I never take it off to wash. I may take a damp cloth and wipe it down good occasionally.

...me too, except I don't "damp rag" it, just replace as needed........

I have a portable ironing board that I put on top of my "Big Board" when I'm doing a lot of pressing small pieces. It saves wear on my Big Board cover. My portable board is the same width as my Big Board & about 2 ft. wide. It is easy to replace the cover on the portable board if it gets yucky.