How To Clean Your Iron So You Don't Ruin Your Clothes

Whether you use your iron every day or once a year (raises hand), it's important to clean it out properly. There's nothing worse than accidentally getting gunk on your clean clothes because you haven't cleaned your iron in forever. Below, we've asked cleaning guru Sabrina Fierman for her best tips on how to clean and maintain your iron at home.

How Often To Clean Your Iron

The frequency with which you do a deep clean of your iron really depends on how often you use it. Fierman suggests using the below methods about once or twice a year as needed to keep your iron in tip-top shape. In the meantime, if you see any sticky spots or gunk on your iron, it's time to give it a good cleaning.

2 Things To Avoid While Cleaning Iron

There are two things you want to avoid when cleaning out your iron.

1. Cleaning products. The first involves super strong cleaning products. "Avoid any strong products that can affect the exterior coating of the iron," suggests Fierman.
2. Tap water. Secondly, you want to avoid using tap water. "Using distilled water when cleaning your iron is best because it doesn't have metals in it." You can usually find distilled water at your local drugstore or grocery store.

What You Need

• White vinegar
• Distilled water
• 1/2 cup measure
• Clean cotton rag
• Cotton swabs
• Optional: Baking soda or salt
  

How To Clean The Inside Of An Iron

First of all, you want to always check the iron manufacturer's recommendations for cleaning your iron. If you don't have the appliance manual (because who actually keeps those things?), you can often find it online if you search your iron brand, product, and "manual" in the search bar.

If that doesn't work, your best bet is to clean the inside of your iron with the following:

"Mix a ½ cup of white vinegar and a ½ cup of water together and pour into the iron reservoir," suggests Fierman. "Turn on and set to steam, wait five minutes, and then press steam for 30 seconds, repeating about four to five times." After you've done that, turn off the iron, let it cool, and pour out the remaining vinegar solution. Feel free to repeat this process with distilled water to remove any residue.

How To Clean The Bottom Of An Iron

There are several methods you can use to clean the bottom of an iron. "Using white vinegar again, soak a clean cotton rag in the vinegar, and place the cool iron plate on the rag," says Fierman. "Be sure to use a surface that is protected or that will not be affected by the vinegar. Leave it on the rag for 30 minutes and then wipe it clean."

If you need something abrasive, Fierman suggests trying a 2:1 baking soda paste with baking soda and water. "Apply the paste and scrub gently in circular motions—be sure to wipe it clean with a clean, damp cloth," she says. "Another method is to apply copious amounts of salt on top of newspaper on your ironing board. Set your iron to warm, and then iron over the salt in circular motions until clean."

If you're having trouble cleaning out the steam holes in the bottom of your iron, reach for a cotton swab and use the end to clean them out. Similar to the above, you can dip the cotton swab into white vinegar for a more effective cleaning.

2 Tips To Keep Your Iron Clean Longer

• Empty water: To avoid unsightly stains on your clothing, empty the water reservoir between uses. You don't want mold or mildew to build up in the reservoir and potentially damage clothing.
• The right setting: When ironing fabrics that can melt, like polyester, make certain to set the heat according to the label on the clothing. Most irons also have settings that specify which type of fabric they are safe for. Finally, wipe the iron with a clean microfiber cloth after each use.