It’s possible that while you were ironing, your iron started leaving stains on your clothes. It’s dark, viscous dirt and, worst of all, very difficult to remove. It may even begin to shed small pebbles which, when crushed, leave the same sticky hue. Once the iron is lifted, we realize that its holes are black. If this is the case, it is possible that the inside of your iron is loaded with scale. This does not have to mean the end of the life of your iron, on the contrary, you can clean it and tune it up to keep it as good as the first day.
To begin, you need to understand why the iron fills with scale. It’s very likely that you used bottled water – or worse, tap water – to iron. You should know that the iron is a device that suffers greatly from the accumulation of limescale and salt. We add the variable of water hardness, which is very different depending on where you are in the country. For example, the entire eastern strip of Spain has very hard water. In comparison, the waters are gentler in the south and particularly gentle in the northwest. If you belong to an area with hard water, think twice before using it on your devices as it may compromise their maintenance and durability.
How to remove scale from iron
You should know that to descale iron you have several allies. First of all, you should keep in mind that many modern irons have a cleaning mode, which should help you remove dirt from the base and interior of the iron. Each has a different mechanism but, in general, you should follow these steps:
- Fill the iron with distilled or deionized water.
- Increase the temperature of the appliance to maximum. When it reaches the desired temperature, unplug it and hold it over the sink.
- Irons usually have a removable steam regulator, a small button on the top. Follow the instructions on your device to remove it. If the button is not removable, you may just need to hold it down.
- Gently shake the iron over the sink. You will see that steam and fragments of scale, a type of gravel, are coming out.
- When it stops leaking, assemble the steam regulator according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If the button is dirty inside, clean it with water and vinegar.
- Unplug the iron, let it cool, and wipe it with a damp cloth when cool.
On the contrary, if instead of an iron you have an ironing station, the cleaning method changes a little:
- Fill the water tank of your ironing center with distilled or demineralized water.
- Turn your iron’s temperature regulator up to maximum. When the iron is hot and at the desired temperature, unplug it.
- Place your ironing center on your kitchen counter or other smooth, stable surface and place the iron over the sink.
- Gently shake the iron while pressing the cleaning button on its base. You should perform this step until a third of the water in the tank evaporates.
- Stop pressing the clean button and shake the iron thoroughly.
- Press the clean button again and shake until you use another third of water, stop pressing the clean button and shake the iron. In short, repeat steps four and five until the tank is empty.
- Unplug your ironing center and let it cool.
- Clean the base of your iron with a damp cloth when it is cool.
It is recommended that before scale becomes a problem on your iron, you perform this process regularly as maintenance.
How to clean iron with vinegar
If you think you need more aggressive methods to clean your iron, there are many home remedies that can help. First of all, you need to keep in mind that you are handling a device that uses high temperature water, so you need to be careful not to burn yourself in the process. If you are unsure whether any of these methods are suitable for your iron, consult the manufacturer:
- For this home remedy, you need equal parts distilled or deionized water and vinegar. You should find an area in the house that you can clean easily and that is well ventilated, such as your sink, bathtub, or bathroom sink. Fill the tank with this mixture and turn on the iron at maximum power.
- Once the iron has reached the correct temperature, set the steam mode to maximum.
- Place the iron over the sink and press the steam release button several times until the reservoir is empty. You must proceed with great caution because the iron will very quickly release a mixture of steam and gravel, sometimes even drops of water.
- Once empty, as with other methods, unplug the iron.
- Once the unit has cooled, wipe the base with a cloth and remove any debris.
How to clean the base of an iron
In all the methods we explained previously, the last step is always to clean the base of the iron with a damp cloth. But sometimes this is not enough, and residue may remain stuck and difficult to remove. Remember that to clean the base of the iron, it must be turned off and cold.
You might be tempted to clean the holes in the base with a toothpick, especially the smaller ones, which can become completely clogged with tartar. We advise you to discard this idea, as the wands are fragile and can break, remaining inside your iron and rendering it useless. There are other tips that will allow you to clean the base of your iron without damaging it:
- Soapy water: You can use a soft cleaning sponge dampened with soap and water. Rub gently until the stains disappear. It is important that the sponge is soft; Avoid scouring pads, as they can scratch the base of your iron. When you are satisfied with the result, remove the soap with a damp cloth. Otherwise, even if the soap is not visible, it will remain dry on the soleplate of your iron, which can cause burns on your clothes when you turn it on.
- Vinegar: Vinegar is used to both clean the iron reservoir and clean the base. In this case, heat the water without boiling it and mix it with vinegar. Dampen a cloth or sponge with the mixture and clean the tartar-stained areas.
