Cleaning scorched irons can be quite easy. If you burn the bottom of the iron, the first thing you need to do is to unplug it. In case you are having difficulty in removing the scorched fabric in one piece, you should use wooden chopsticks or a pair of tweezers to lift the melted material from the bottom of the iron after allowing it to cool completely. After removing all of the material, you need to clean the burned iron. While doing so, you should avoid using abrasive cleaners and scrub brushes because they can easily damage it. Here are some of the best techniques which will help you to clean your scorched iron.
Hydrogen Peroxide
One of the simplest ways to clean a scorched iron is to use hydrogen peroxide. Soak a rag in the hydrogen peroxide and place it on the ironing board. Iron over the rag until the stains disappear completely.
Vinegar
If there are big scorched marks on your iron, you should try using white vinegar. Heat up some vinegar and dip a soft piece of fabric in it. Gently wipe the burned soleplate with the fabric until the marks are removed. Afterward, wipe the bottom of the iron with a cloth dampened in clean water. If you can’t erase the marks by using vinegar alone, you should add some baking soda or a few teaspoons of table salt in the hot white vinegar. Stir the mixture until the baking soda or salt dissolves, and soak some clean cloth in the solution. Wipe the soleplate of the iron until the stains are completely gone. Before storing the iron, clean it with a slightly wet towel.
Dish Soap
In case the scorch marks cover the iron vents, you should create a soapy mixture by combining some gentle dish soap, such as Ivory, and water. Dip some cotton swabs into the mixture, and rub them in the dirty vents and on the scorched soleplate. After removing the stains, dry the iron with a clean cloth.
Metal Polish
If your iron doesn’t have a coated iron plate, you can clean it by applying several drops of metal polish solution on it. Use a rag to rub the polish on the scorch marks. When the marks disappear, wipe the damp spots with some clean cloth.
Laundry Detergent
In case your iron has a nonstick soleplate, you can clean the scorched marks by using liquid laundry detergent. Take a small bowl with warm water and add a couple of drops of detergent into it. Dip some clean fabric into the solution and scrub the soleplate. Afterward, dry the iron with a towel.
