6 Ways to Clean Your Iron’s Soleplate, Reservoir & Steam Holes

If your iron is sticky, leaves yellow streaks on clothes, or has a lot of scorch marks or mineral deposits, it’s time to clean. There are many ways to make your iron look like new using products you may already have on hand! There are easy and effective 6 ways to clean your iron’s soleplate, water reservoir and steam holes.

1. Baking soda paste

6 Ways to Clean Your Iron’s Soleplate, Reservoir & Steam Holes

Apply the baking soda mixture to the stains on the soleplate to clean them. First, mix 1 tablespoon (15 mL) distilled water and 2 tablespoons (34 g) baking soda in a small bowl to create a paste that will stick to the iron. Turn off the iron and let it cool, applying the mixture to areas with residue or residue (or the entire soleplate for a general clean). Leave the patch on for a few minutes, then wipe off with a clean, damp cloth.

If any baking soda gets into the steam holes, use a cotton swab dipped in distilled water or white vinegar to clear the blockage.

2. White vinegar

Wipe the soleplate with a cloth soaked in diluted white vinegar.

6 Ways to Clean Your Iron’s Soleplate, Reservoir & Steam Holes

Mix a solution of equal parts distilled water and white vinegar.Dip a microfiber cloth in the solution and use it to gently scrub the soleplate, especially scorched, sticky, or dirty areas. Once the soleplate is clean, wipe off any remaining vinegar with a clean, damp cloth.

Or, to avoid rubbing, soak the cloth in the vinegar water mixture and wrap it around the base of the iron for 30 minutes. Then, take out the cloth and dry the soleplate.

Use diluted vinegar to clean the compartment and unclog the iron’s steam holes.

Empty the tank of old water, then fill it about ⅓ full with a mixture of 3 parts water and 1 part distilled white vinegar. Turn the iron on the hottest setting and wait a few minutes for the iron to heat up. Then, iron an old towel or cloth with steam for a few minutes.

Use towels or fabrics that you throw away or don’t use. If there is significant residue in the steam holes, the iron may leave streaks or residue on the fabric.

Read your iron’s instructions to make sure you can use vinegar before trying this method.

3. Dryer sheets

Rub dryer sheets on the warm soleplate to remove residue.

6 Ways to Clean Your Iron’s Soleplate, Reservoir & Steam Holes

Plug in your iron and set it to the lowest available temperature setting, then let it warm up for a few minutes. Take a few new sheets of dryer sheet and rub it on the soleplate as if you were using a sponge. Rub gently continuously until all dirt and residue is gone. Then, turn the iron to the highest setting and iron on an old towel to remove residue from the dryer sheet.

To protect your fingers, wear heat-resistant gloves or change dryer sheets when you feel your fingertips getting hot.

4. Toothpaste

Dab toothpaste on the residue on the soleplate and wipe clean.

6 Ways to Clean Your Iron’s Soleplate, Reservoir & Steam Holes

Apply a little toothpaste directly to the brown, sticky or dirty stains and let it sit for about a minute. Then, use a clean towel to wipe off the toothpaste. Fill up the reservoir with fresh water, set the iron to steam mode and place the iron on an old towel or cloth for 5 minutes.

Also, try a mixture of 1 tablespoon (3g) toothpaste, 2 tablespoons (6g) baking soda, and 3 tablespoons (45mL) vinegar.

5. Salt

Iron on newspaper and salt to clean sticky iron.

6 Ways to Clean Your Iron’s Soleplate, Reservoir & Steam Holes

If you notice that your iron is sticky when in use, sprinkle salt on a piece of newspaper or something waxy like parchment paper. Set the iron to warm, let it heat for a few minutes, then iron over the salt in all directions until the iron is clean.

Once the stickiness is gone, shake off the excess salt for a clean base. Use a damp cotton swab to wipe away salt stuck in the steam holes.

6. Ice cubes

Harden the melted plastic residue with ice, then scrape it off.

6 Ways to Clean Your Iron’s Soleplate, Reservoir & Steam Holes

Fill a shallow bowl, plate or pan with ice cubes, then place the iron plate on the ice to let the melted-on plastic set and harden (this will take about 10 minutes if the melted-on plastic is new). Once the melted-on plastic has completely hardened, use a blunt plastic knife to scrape the resin off the base.

Do not use metal knives or other metal objects as they may scratch or damage the iron.