How and how to clean the iron from burnt cloth at home?

Even owners of expensive household appliances sooner or later face the need to clean their iron from burnt cloth. Non-compliance with the temperature regime leads to the fact that the fibers adhere to the sole of the device and are charred. If you continue to iron things with such an iron, brown spots will remain on the surface of clothes and linen.

Types of Coatings

When choosing a tool for removing burnt tissue, it is necessary to take into account the coating material. The following types of iron soles are widely sold:

• from stainless steel;
• aluminum;
• ceramic;
• Teflon.

The first two types of soles are metallic. To rid the surface of the stick, cleaning products with hard particles - abrasives - are used. Do not use acids and acetone, as these substances are able to react with the metal.

Ceramic and Teflon soles require delicate handling. After cleaning with abrasives, the iron remains scratches that attract small fibers of the fabric. As a result, the appliance sticks to clothes and linen even more than before. You can wipe away carbon deposits with a special pencil or liquid solutions.

General rules for cleaning iron from burnt cloth

Whatever coating you have to clean from adhering fabric, do not use sharp metal objects (knives, scissors, blades), brushes with hard bristles, sandpaper. These materials leave scratches on the sole of the iron that cannot be sanded later.

If you use solutions to clean the appliance, be sure to wipe the appliance at the end with a damp cloth. After the surface dries, iron the cotton cloth. Do not leave a cleaner on the sole, otherwise it will subsequently be printed in the form of greasy marks on clothing.

To remove burnt tissue in the area of ​​the holes, use cotton swabs dipped in vinegar (hydrogen peroxide, ammonia). Or wrap a piece of fleece over a toothpick.

Teflon and Ceramic Coated Irons

You can remove adhered fabric from the sole of a modern iron in many ways, most of which are available at home. Consider the most reliable.

Cleaning pencil

This tool is suitable for cleaning burnt soles from any material: metal, ceramic, Teflon. Removes old burn marks. It is sold in hardware and construction stores, on online sites. The price varies between 15-150 rubles apiece.

The cleaning pencil does not contain abrasives, therefore it does not leave scratches on the sole of the iron and does not damage the heating elements. There are products that remove not only burnt tissue, but also traces of scale. The only drawback of the pencil is the pungent smell during cleaning.

Examples of cleaning pencils:

• Frash - 90 rubles;
• Topperr IR 1 - 80 rubles;
• Bon - 70 rubles;
• Uniplus - 65 rubles;
• Magic Power - 55 rubles;
• Brite - 35 rubles;
• Snowter - 25 rubles.

The principle of operation for all the funds presented is the same, so you can safely choose the most budget options.

How to use a cleaning pencil?

1. Heat the device to the temperature indicated in the instructions (usually to 135-150 degrees).
2. Tilt the iron 30 degrees. Rub with a pencil in places of burning. The product will begin to melt, collect particles of adherent tissue, and drain down. Do not press hard on the pencil, otherwise it will break sharply, and you will get a burn.
3. Allow the appliance to cool. Remove the remaining pencil with a dry rag.
4. Use a steam stream to remove adhered fibers from the iron holes.
5. Iron the cotton cloth to secure the result.

Paraffin candle

This tool is a home analogue of a cleaning pencil. Suitable for removing only fresh traces of burnt fibers. The procedure is as follows.

1. Wrap a long paraffin candle in a cotton cloth.
2. Turn on the iron, set the average temperature.
3. Tilt the appliance and begin to run the candle over the surface of the sole.
4. Wait for the iron to cool, then wipe it with a damp cloth.

Hydroperite tablets

You can buy them at the pharmacy. Hydroperite is a combination of hydrogen peroxide and urea - a substance that is part of cleaning pencils. The product emits a pungent odor, so we recommend that you wipe the iron in a protective mask or on an open balcony.

How to use hydroperite tablets?

1. Heat the iron to a temperature of 135-150 degrees, disconnect from the power source.
2. Wipe the surface with an unmilled tablet with gentle movements, removing the burn.
3. Wash residues with a damp cloth.

Acetone

Aggressive substance dissolves burning particles, so cleaning the sole subsequently becomes not difficult. To clean the device, a paint thinner, a varnish remover are suitable. Moisten a rag in liquid and wipe stains. The iron is turned off. At the end, remove the remaining product with a damp cloth.

When using liquids with acetone, be careful not to get on plastic surfaces. This may result in damage to the appliance.

Soap solution

If little burning is stuck, the sole of the iron is washed in the usual way. The rag is wetted in one of the following solutions:

• liquid soap;
• dishwashing detergents;
• shower gel;
• shampoo.

Then wipe the device. To enhance the effect, apply liquid soap in its pure form on the sole of the iron, leave for 30 minutes. Then rinse with water and wipe the surface with a dry cloth.

Vinegar, Citric Acid

Every housewife has these liquids in the house. If a cloth burns on the iron, wipe the surface with a swab dipped in vinegar or a solution of citric acid (2 sachets per glass of water). Rinse off with a damp cloth. This method is suitable for removing fresh traces of burning, used as a preventive measure. But there is a more radical technique.

1. Pour vinegar into a wide pan to a level of 1 centimeter.
2. Heat the iron to medium temperature, then unplug it.
3. Place the appliance soles down in a pan with vinegar. Leave on for 6-8 hours (may be overnight).
4. Remove the remaining burnt cloth with a sponge and wipe the iron with a damp cloth.

If you feel sorry for spending a lot of vinegar, then instead of using a tray, use a cotton cloth soaked in the product. The procedure is carried out in a well-ventilated area, since the solution smells sharply and irritates the mucous membranes of the eyes, respiratory tract.

Hydrogen Peroxide (3%) and ammonia

Your medicine cabinet may have the indicated funds. Wipe adherent tissue with hydrogen peroxide or ammonia in the following ways.

1. Moisten a waffle towel in a solution, spread on a board and iron it thoroughly until traces of burning have completely disappeared from the appliance.
2. Lightly heat the iron and then unplug it from the power outlet. Wipe stains from adhering tissue with a cloth dampened with hydrogen peroxide or ammonia. Use cotton swabs to clean the holes.

When working with ammonia, keep in mind that its fumes are harmful to the respiratory system.It is advisable to wear a respiratory mask or at least open all the windows in the room. Never wipe a hot iron with hydrogen peroxide or ammonia.

Cleaning metal-coated irons

Then tools containing abrasives will come to your aid. You can clean the surface of the iron with a dry cloth or an old toothbrush with soft bristles.

Salt

This product is always present in the kitchen. There are two ways to clean the iron with salt.

Spread cotton on an ironing board. Pour 0.5 cups of fine salt onto it, distribute the grains on the surface with an even layer. Turn on the device, set the average temperature. Start ironing the salt and continue until the grains are brown. Allow the iron to cool and then wipe with a dry cloth.

The second method requires accuracy, as there is a risk of getting a burn. Pour some salt into a gauze or handkerchief and form a pouch. Plug in the appliance. When it heats up, start wiping the sole in a circular motion until the burnt cloth completely leaves.

Do not use salt to clean aluminum irons, as its particles are quite large and can damage the coating (aluminum is a soft metal).

Baking soda

The principle of baking soda to remove adherent tissue is similar to salt. Small abrasives remove dirt from the surface and absorb it. Soda removes even old spots from a burnout.

The procedure is as follows:

1. Pour 2 tablespoons of soda into a cup. Add a little water to make a homogeneous slurry.
2. Put the product on the cold sole of the iron, rub it with the hard side of the kitchen sponge.
3. Remove residue with a damp cloth.

Toothpaste or powder

Another tool that is easy to use. Follow these steps.

1. Apply powder or paste to the cold sole of the iron, spread evenly over the entire surface, trying to avoid getting into the holes.
2. Try using a toothbrush to wipe away any burn spots.
3. Rinse off any remaining product with a damp cloth.
4. Turn on the steam flow on the device.
5. Iron the cotton fabric several times until there are no stains on the sole of the iron.

Prevention of burn marks

So that a household appliance does not have to be often wiped off with chemical pencils, solutions or abrasive products, simply do not allow burnt fabric to appear on it. Even non-stick irons require maintenance. Frequent cleaning, albeit with proven methods, reduces the useful life.

Useful tips for preventing burn marks:

• read the instructions on the labels of clothes and observe the temperature regime;
• Do not iron or woolen things directly, but through a layer of gauze or a thin cotton fabric;
• Wipe off the cooled iron with a dry cloth each time.

Conclusion

Thus, in the arsenal of a skilled housewife there is always a means with which you can clean a household appliance in 5-10 minutes. Each type of soleplate has its own stain removal options, but cleaning should not be abused. Follow preventive measures from a burnout, and a home assistant will serve you for decades.