How to Clean Charred Iron
If you’re wearing real work clothes on a regular basis, it might be time to take out your iron. But before you start removing wrinkles, make sure the metal plate is clean and free of burns that could stain your clothing. And if you accidentally melt something right on the iron, it’s a good idea to do it right away. Here’s how to clean a burnt iron.
Remove the remaining fabric first.
With the iron unplugged and completely cooled, use tweezers to remove any pieces of fabric or material adhering to the plate. Again, obviously, don’t do this while your iron is still hot.
If for some reason there is melted plastic on the plate, unplug the iron and let it cool down, then place it, metal side down, in a pot of ice cubes. After the plastic has hardened (skip the ice if the plastic has been there for a while), use a plastic knife to scrape it off. Wipe the plate with a damp cloth to remove any remaining residue.
Clean your iron with acetaminophen (true)
Onestrange but effective method of cleaning iron burn marks is to cleanse them with an acetaminophen (Tylenol) tablet. You want the iron to be hot, but not plugged in, so heat it up if the burn is old. Then take a pill and gently rub it over the burned area, being careful not to burn your fingers. You can even wear an oven mitt or glove for extra protection. Then take a damp cloth and wipe the area. Repeat until the burn disappears.
Other ways to clean your iron
If you don’t have Tylenol on hand, there are a few other ways to get rid of iron burn marks:
- Baking Soda: A paste of baking soda and water (2: 1 ratio) can be effective in cleaning your iron plate. However, do not allow baking soda to get into the steam holes of the iron. Lime juice and vinegar can be substituted for water.
- Vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. Dampen a cloth with vinegar or hydrogen peroxide and place the iron on it face down. Leave it on for at least half an hour and then wipe off the plate.
- Nail polish remover: Soak a cotton pad in acetone nail polish remover and gently rub the pad with it while it is warm.
- Laundry detergent or dishwashing detergent: Mix warm water with soap and apply to an iron plate. Wipe dry and rub.
- Wax: Heat the iron, then unplug it and wipe the burned area with a wax candle . Use it to iron a damp, clean cloth to remove any residue.