How to Clean an Iron Surface and Remove Brown Stains

To clean an iron surface, unplug it and let it cool, then scrub the soleplate with a paste of baking soda and water and wipe it with a damp cloth. For brown stains that won’t budge, run the iron on a low setting over salt sprinkled on paper. Clear the steam vents with a cotton swab. Check the manufacturer’s instructions first, avoid abrasive cleaners, and empty the water reservoir after every use to keep limescale from building up.

What are the signs your iron needs cleaning?

• Discolored or brown soleplate
• Sticky residue on the iron or your clothes
• Chalky mineral deposits on clothes
• The iron doesn’t glide smoothly

The signs build up slowly, so the first thing you notice may be a mark on a shirt. The flat bottom of the iron, the soleplate, is where dirt and residue show first. Look for scorch marks, discoloration, and brown or white deposits. Before cleaning: Always check the manufacturer’s instructions, and don’t use harsh or abrasive cleaners. Many irons have a self-cleaning cycle for the water reservoir and steam vents. Here’s a list of all-natural house cleaning products to try.

How to remove brown stains from an iron soleplate

Brown stains on the bottom of an iron are usually scorched starch, fabric softener residue or melted synthetic fibers. Work from gentle to stronger:

1. Cold iron: scrub with a baking soda paste (below) and wipe clean.
2. Still there: use the salt method on a low setting.
3. Melted polyester or nylon: try the nail polish remover method on a warm soleplate, if your manual allows solvents.

White, chalky crust is limescale, not a stain. That comes from the water, so clean the vents and tank too (see the FAQ below).

How do you clean an iron when it’s cold?

If you’re nervous about touching a hot iron, these methods work best on a cold one. For a stubborn stain, you may need to warm the iron to remove it fully.

How do you clean an iron with baking soda?

Baking soda is a good all-purpose cleaner, and it works on irons too. Mix a paste of baking soda and water and scrub it over the soleplate. Wipe away the excess with a damp, clean cloth, and dry the iron fully.

How do you remove oily stains from an iron?

For oily stains, use white vinegar. Soak paper towels in vinegar and set the cold iron flat on them for half an hour to break down the stain, then wipe clean with fresh water and blot dry.

How do you clean an iron with baking soda and vinegar?

When there’s a lot of residue, lay an old towel flat on your ironing board and sprinkle it with baking soda. Spritz it with household cleaning vinegar until it starts to fizz, then run the iron over the mixture as though you’re ironing the towel. The movement and the fizzing solution should shift all but the most stubborn stains.

How do you clean an iron with toothpaste?

Use a plain white toothpaste and apply it carefully where the iron is stained, avoiding the steam vents. If paste gets into the holes, clean them gently with a cotton swab. Leave the toothpaste on for a minute, then wipe off with a clean cloth.

How do you clean an iron with warm heat?

Heat is a good cleaner, and sometimes the best way to lift stains. These methods use a warm setting, not a hot one, and are the next step if cold methods don’t work.

How do you clean an iron with salt?

Cover your ironing board with paper (parchment or baking paper if you have it, otherwise old newspaper) and spread salt across it. Heat the iron to a low setting and iron the salted paper with a firm motion. Once the stains are gone, let the iron cool and wipe it clean.

How do you clean an iron with dryer sheets?

Dryer sheets work well, especially on sticky buildup. Heat the iron to a warm setting, put on oven gloves to protect your hands, then rub a dryer sheet or two across the soleplate to scrub away stains.

How do you clean an iron when it’s hot?

Take care to avoid burns when you clean a hot iron. Heat and steam are strong cleaners, so hot methods are the fastest way to remove stains. Point the iron away from you before releasing steam, and wear oven gloves. Keep the cleaning material moving so one area of the plate doesn’t overheat.

How do you clean an iron with soap and water?

The obvious way is sometimes the best. Heat the iron until hot, then use a sponge or pan scrubber on the soleplate. Avoid plastic scrubbers, which the iron will melt. Once clean, wipe down with fresh water.

How do you clean an iron with newspaper?

Old newspaper absorbs well, which makes it a good cleaner. Scrunch it up and scrub it over the hot soleplate, taking care not to let the paper get too hot. It’s especially good at removing sticky residue.

How do you clean an iron with nail polish remover?

Acetone (nail polish remover) is a handy cleaner you probably already have. Heat the soleplate, then soak a cotton ball in acetone and dab it onto the plate. The acetone evaporates quickly and breaks down stains. Once clean, wipe with fresh water to remove any residue.

Can you really clean an iron with Tylenol?

Yes, really. Use white, uncoated Tylenol (or generic acetaminophen) tablets. Heat the iron, spread paper towels over your ironing board, then hold a tablet with tweezers and rub it over the stained area. You’ll need about half a dozen for a whole soleplate. The pills melt into a gel in the heat. Spread the gel over the stain, then iron across the paper towels, using a clean area each time. You should see the buildup come off on the paper. Repeat until the stain is gone, then wipe with a clean, damp cloth.

How do you prevent stains and buildup on an iron?

These habits help your iron last longer.

• Avoid hard water. Around 85 percent of Americans have hard water, which causes limescale buildup in appliances. Consider filtered or distilled water if your manual allows it.
• Don’t iron on too high a setting. Too much heat can damage or melt fabric, leaving sticky residue or scorching the soleplate. Use the right temperature: low for silks and synthetics, medium for wool, high for cotton and linen.
• Empty the water reservoir after every use. This prevents limescale and keeps the iron from smelling stale.

A little maintenance keeps stains from becoming a problem and saves your clothes. As soon as your iron stops gliding smoothly, it’s time for a clean. If laundry day is only one of the chores piling up, our regular house cleaning covers kitchens, bathrooms, dusting and floors on a weekly or every-other-week schedule, and pros can change bed linens you leave out.

Iron cleaning FAQ

Ready to take a few chores off your list? Book a cleaning online and let Pro Housekeepers handle the rest of the house.