Clean the Steam Iron and Its Base Plate

Keeping an iron clean is relatively easy and requires few supplies to do the job.

Steps

 * 1)  To clean the inside of an iron, fill the iron half full with water. Add vinegar to the hot water until it reaches the fill line of the water reservoir.
 * 2)  Run the iron on hot for 15 minutes and then allow to cool for one hour. Drain the iron of the water-vinegar mixture.
 * 3)  Add water to the iron and repeat the following steps but do not use vinegar. Drain the iron of the water and it is ready to use.
 * 4)  To clean the sole plate, purchase iron cleaner at a local store. Iron cleaner is usually found in the laundry section. It is used to clean sole plates that are not nonstick. Follow the directions on the sole plate cleaner package.
 * 5)  Nonstick sole plates typically are self-cleaning and require little care.

Tips

 * Burned on starch comes off by rubbing the sole plate with a wet Mr. Clean (R) Magic Eraser. Make sure the iron is cool so you don't burn yourself.
 * If plastic has been melted on your NON-STICK sole plate, it can be removed. Place a piece of aluminum foil on the ironing board and sprinkle it with salt. Ironing over the salt and foil will help loosen the plastic. Never try to scrape the plastic off with metal tools. It may permanently damage the sole plate.

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Clean the Steam Iron and Its Base Plate
 * How to Care for an Oreck Steam Iron (5 Steps)
 * How to Clean a Teflon Coated Steam Iron
 * How to Clean a Scorched Iron
 * How to Clean Tefal Iron (8 Steps)
 * How to Iron Pants
 * How to Steam Press a Sweater or Other Knit Garment
 * How to Remove Wrinkles from Clothes Without an Iron
 * How to Clean an Iron

Sources and Citations

 * http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/ah_cleaning_tips_hints/article/0,1801,HGTV_3111_1383282,00.html