How to clean an iron in a home environment. How to descale your iron: an overview of methods and tools. Industrial descaling agents

12.05.2019

Any housewife is faced with the question of how to descale an iron. Even the high cost of a household ironing device does not guarantee that there will be no carbon deposits on the sole or scale inside it. During operation, distilled water is not always used, which leads to the appearance of plaque. The device is getting worse and worse and stains. The range of offered special and folk remedies helps to effectively get rid of scale.

Ways to descale your iron at home

The build-up of plaque becomes the cause of contamination of clothes when ironing. They are rust or yellowish stains that spoil the appearance of your favorite items. Someone considers the device with scale to be damaged and is already in a hurry to buy a new one. Completely in vain: there are a number of methods on how to clean an iron at home - from self-cleaning to "home" products.

Self-cleaning function

How easy is it to descale an iron? Modern manufacturers have taken care of their customers and have provided a special function in home steam assistants. It is a quick self-cleaning system at home in a couple of steps:

Find in the instructions what water should be used for ironing.
Pour as much liquid as possible into the instrument.
Set the heating temperature to the highest level, connect the device to the mains.
Wait for it to heat up, while noticing the moment of automatic shutdown.
Repeat the heating process a second time.
While the iron is going through 2 heating / cooling cycles, remove a heat-resistant container such as a basin.
Gently tilt the hot appliance over the basin and press the self-cleaning button.

The cleaning of the device from dirt and plaque occurs due to the intensive release of steam from the holes in the soleplate, which you will see at the bottom of the basin after draining the water. For more effective descaling, it is allowed to lightly shake the appliance while draining the water. After the iron has cooled down, it remains to rinse the container a couple of times with running water and wipe the device itself dry.

Specialized descaling products

The market for household appliances has a wide range of anti-scale products on irons:

"Anti-scale". Special product that helps to remove limescale. To get rid of impurities with it, dilute the substance with water in the amount indicated in the instructions. Pour the resulting solution inside the iron, plug it in and wait 30 minutes. After cooling down, rinse the reservoir with clean water.
Topperr. A descaler that actively acts on the structure of lime deposits due to its high concentration. To prepare a cleaning solution, mix water and detergent in a 2: 1 ratio. Heat the iron in an upright position and then place it on the soleplate. After 2 hours, drain the solution. Rinse the container and then refill it with water, heat it up and use steam to descale the soleplate. Iron any unnecessary cloth to wipe off any remaining lime.
Top House. To clean the device, fill a container inside with 100 ml of water and 50 ml of detergent. Heat the iron in the Cotton setting, keeping the position upright. Once heating is over, switch to steam mode, turn the appliance horizontally. Wait 10 minutes. and drain the solution. Rinse the iron in steam mode until no limescale comes out of the holes.
Greenfield. A chemical pencil used for direct cleaning of the ironing surface from burns. To remove burns, heat the appliance to the temperature at which the wool is ironed, i.e. 140 ° C. Apply a pencil to the sole. After a few minutes, wipe the surface to be cleaned with a linen and cotton rag. After cooling down, rinse the sole with water.

Folk remedies for cleaning the sole of the iron

In addition to special products, you can also use home methods. Here are the recipes on how to clean the iron from burns and limescale:

Salt. Great for cleaning the sole of the home assistant. Spread the salt on a piece of paper in a thin layer. To soften oversized particles, add rubbed paraffin to the mixture. Iron the resulting composition so that it absorbs all the dirt. Remember not to clean the Teflon coating this way.
Vinegar 9%. With it, you can easily solve the question of how to clean the iron from carbon deposits. Vinegar will effectively clean Philips irons with their delicate ceramic sole. Dampen any cloth with it and wipe off the remains of the burn, but do not overdo it. Heat the iron to iron any unnecessary items. Prigar will stay on her. You can use ammonia instead of vinegar.
To remove burnt-on fabric from the soleplate, heat the appliance to maximum. Then, scrape off the remnants of the synthetics with a wooden spatula, but do not use an iron washcloth. It will damage the non-stick coating on some iron models such as Tefal.
Gruel based on water and soda does an excellent job with the problem of how to clean the iron from the burn. According to reviews, the method is good because it does not require heating the device. You only need to apply a small amount of water and baking soda to the surface. After a few minutes, the mixture will take effect. After that, you can wash it off and then wipe the sole dry.

How to descale the iron inside

There are many methods and means of processing not only the surface, but also the interior of the devices. Here are tips on how to descale your iron. Housewives use natural products. Those who have used mineral water or citric acid can easily tell you how to remove scale:

Pour mineral water or a solution based on one sachet of citric acid into the iron.
Heat the appliance to the maximum temperature.
Pass the steam and water over the previously prepared container several times until all plaque has flaked off.
Repeat all steps using plain water to rinse the device.

Video: how to clean the iron from scale and carbon deposits

Teflon coated Teflon, Philips with ceramic sole or Moulinex with stainless surface - each model requires individual cleaning. It will not be difficult to find information on how and how to wipe off the carbon and descale the iron. After reading the instructions for the decalcifying composition, you can easily return the device to its former state.

What if something went wrong in the process? How to find out if the cleaning technology of the device has been performed correctly? To minimize the likelihood of error, it is recommended to follow the cleaning process with your own eyes. Useful videos show how and how to clean the iron from carbon deposits and scale, and explain all the steps.

Cleaning your teflon iron

Ceramic coated

With steam generator

Many iron manufacturers give a guarantee for their products and promise in advertising texts that the operation of the device does not require additional care of the ironing surface.

In addition, most irons are equipped with a special self-cleaning soleplate.

But practice shows that a violation of the instructions, caked synthetics, hard water can lead to unwanted contamination of the sole:

interfere with ironing things by reducing the smoothness when sliding.

When the iron is heated, such dirt can be imprinted on the fabric of the garment, thereby ruining it.

Before choosing a method for cleaning the soleplate of the iron, you need to understand the material from which it is made.

Material

Today, the most common are iron soles made of the following alloys:

Aluminum. It is considered the most difficult material to care for, it is easily scratched and promotes adhesion of synthetic fabric.

Teflon (Teflon coated aluminum). This sole is difficult to care for, you need to select a special sponge or use vinegar essence. In no case should salt or toothpaste be used.

Stainless steel. All methods can be used to clean this coating.

Ceramics. This coating is cleaned with a pencil. You can also use mild non-abrasive alloys, toothpaste, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide. The main thing is not to rub with hard sponges or brushes.

Sintered metal. Requires the same care as ceramics.

When considering how to clean the soleplate of your iron, it is important to choose the most affordable, economical and efficient method.

Indelible pencil

A chemical pencil is the most common and safest professional product for removing carbon deposits from the surface of an ironing device.

A special tool produced by the chemical industry must be used in the following sequence:

turn on the iron and warm it up well;
turn off the iron;
rub his sole with a pencil;
wait for a chemical reaction;
remove softened plaque with a soft cloth;
rewipe the sole with a damp cloth after cooling.

You can buy a pencil at any hardware store. It is necessary to prevent it from getting into the holes of the iron.

Hydroperite

Hydroperite is a pharmacological agent produced in the form of white tablets.

Its properties are similar to those of hydrogen peroxide, so you can dissolve two tablets in a glass of water and, in exactly the same sequence as when using a chemical pencil, clean the surface of the iron.

In the process of cleaning with hydroperite, a lot of unpleasant gas can be formed, which will be absorbed into furniture and wallpaper. To prevent this, you must not forget to open the window before using the product.

You can wipe the surface of the iron with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. You can use acetone or nail polish remover instead.

The main thing is to ensure that chemical compounds do not get on the plastic structure of the device. An indisputable plus of this method of care is the absence of an unpleasant odor.

Powder

If the dirt is heavy, it must not be scraped off with sharp objects that could scratch the soleplate of the iron. In this case, a powder for cleaning dishes (for example, "Shine") would be a good solution.

For this you need:

rub the rusty surface with powder;
wipe it with a dry cloth to remove dirt and powder.

Soap

Unfortunately, there are not many special products for cleaning the iron in stores. To get out of the situation will help substances known in home economics.

Easily remove unwanted plaque with soap. For this you need:

heat up a household appliance;
rub the place of plaque with soapy water;
let the iron cool down a little;
wipe the surface with a damp cloth.

Candle

Almost every home has paraffin candles in case the lights go out. They can also be used to clean the iron. For this you need:

wrap a candle in dense cotton cloth;
prepare a tray for melted wax;
heat the iron;
rub the device with the resulting bundle (the candle will begin to melt);
try not to get wax into the holes of the iron, because then the wax will flow out and spoil things.

The candle works well for cleaning the ironing plate as it does not damage or scratch it.

Another curious way: heat the iron and rub its surface with a sulfur strip of a matchbox. Better to use a new box.

Lemon

Lemon works in the same way as hydrogen peroxide. Its acid is good at removing scale from the surface of the iron and holes.

This method is safer for the hostess, because natural lemon does not emit harmful fumes.

Before cleaning the iron with lemon, it is important to clean the inside of the appliance: run clean liquid through the water reservoir several times.

Soda and vinegar

Another homemade method for cleaning your iron is with soda and vinegar. For this you need:

put a rough cloth (a waffle towel will do) on something hard;

sprinkle with soda on top;

crush the lumps;

drizzle with a little bite. For the best effect, you can add ammonia. If there is no vinegar, one ammonia will be enough;

rub the iron on the towel thoroughly. The resulting foam will remove dirt from the metal soleplate.

if the iron is not clean, try to warm it up and repeat the manipulations.

Salt

It is better to take finely ground salt of the "Extra" brand. Cleaning must be carried out in the following sequence:

sprinkle salt on clean material or paper;
warm up the iron;
pressing firmly on it, run several times over the salt layer, as if smoothing it.

It is undesirable to take a newspaper, as the iron can get dirty in the printing ink. The best result is provided by using salt with crushed candle paraffin, which restores the damaged surface of the iron from scratches and unevenness.

Ear sticks

If the question arises of how to clean the sole of the iron from adhering fabric, you can take some hard wooden or plastic object: a scraper, brush, spatula or ear stick.

The holes in the sole of the iron can be wiped with a damp cotton swab. For greater efficiency, it is recommended to moisten the stick with ammonia, baking soda or vinegar.

Cold

You can use the cold cleaning method for the soleplate. This method will save you from unpleasant fumes. For cold cleaning you need:

take a teaspoon of baking soda;
moisten it with water or dishwashing detergent;
stir, distribute evenly over the surface of the iron to be cleaned;
Wipe vigorously with a damp cloth or sponge.

With the help of toothpaste, you can remove dirt from the surface of the iron, which is covered with metal: steel, aluminum. But it should be remembered that the Teflon surface is likely to be damaged, and the iron will become unusable.

How to protect your iron

Here are some tips to help you effortlessly keep the soleplate free from dirt:

It is important to set the appropriate temperature for the fabric: do not iron silk, synthetics, corduroy, thin, light fabrics at high temperatures, as they can melt and stick to the sole. And it is better to iron wool, suede through gauze so that the villi do not stick.

Do not clean the surface of the iron with metal scrapers or abrasive materials. This will result in scratches and surface damage.

A cold iron is best cleaned with a nylon washcloth, while a hot iron should be cleaned with wooden or plastic scrapers, brushes, and a terry cloth.

After each use, wipe the soleplate with a soft, damp cloth. And correctly selected chemicals can solve the problem of how to clean the sole of the iron from burns.

Do not use tap water for the container of the iron. Better to take boiled water.

Equipment breaks down over time, and nothing can be done about it - everything has an expiration date. The more complex the device, the higher the likelihood that something can happen to it. The iron is not a very complicated device, so it will serve for a long time. But there are some things that can extend his service even longer.

Scale - is it so dangerous?

Almost every modern iron is equipped with a self-cleaning system, as well as a scale protection. The role of the latter is often played by anti-lime rods. Despite this, the question of how to descale the iron from the inside is still relevant.

The fact is that deposits will still accumulate, despite all the technical tricks of the manufacturers. This leads, in the saddest case, to the fact that the device simply stops working. What to do in this case? Clean. But you cannot do this without preliminary preparation, because you need to know how to properly descale the iron.

Cleaning process

This procedure is quite simple and can be done with almost any device. Modern ones, of course, are more reliable in this sense, since their self-cleaning system can be turned on manually. The latter leads to the same results.

If, for some reason, you cannot use such a convenient function, you will have to do everything yourself. It will be a little more difficult, but it won't take that long. There are many ways, and for each you need to act according to a certain scheme, therefore it would be better to describe each of the methods separately.

Self-cleaning

As already mentioned, this is the easiest way: you only need clean water and a container. An ordinary basin, or even, in general, a sink, may well act as the latter. You need to act according to the following scheme:

Fill the iron container with prepared water.
Plug into a power outlet.
Set the maximum temperature mode.
Wait for the water to heat up.
Press the self-cleaning key.

All this will lead to the fact that several powerful jets of steam will fly out of the holes on the sole of the iron - this should knock out all the accumulated scale. This is where the whole cleaning ends. So the question of how to descale the iron is not even worth it.

You also need to know that you cannot start ironing immediately after the cleaning procedure - this will not affect things at all positively. In addition, you need to let the appliance cool down. The cleaning procedure causes the sole to become very hot. Therefore, you need to either put it on the end, or on a special stand, like on an ironing board.

Mineral water

You can also use ordinary mineral water for cleaning - this works in the same way as the self-cleaning method. This method is quite effective. You need to work in this order:

After that, the iron can be used, however, also not immediately, as in the previous case.

How to descale an iron with citric acid?

This method should be called old-fashioned, but in this way it is quite possible to clean any heating device. You only need a bag of acid - it is sold in every store, even grocery. You need to apply it in this order:

Dissolve a sachet in boiling water (or less - it all depends on the amount of water).
Pour the resulting mixture into the iron.
Heat the device to maximum temperature.
Chill out.

All deposits will then fly out as a cork. You also need to know how to descale the inside of the iron if the steam vents are clogged. In this case, you need to inject a mixture of water and acid with a disposable syringe.

Also, do not forget that the acid is quite aggressive in a normal environment, that is, the plastic or rubber that is part of the iron can be damaged during such cleaning. So, along with learning how to descale your iron, ask about its design.

"Anti-scale"

In fact, such products act in a similar way to citric acid, that is, the entire cleaning process goes exactly the same - all the difference is that this composition is intended for one specific purpose. So the risk here is somewhat less. Although its aggressiveness can also play a bad joke with your device.

Another note: if citric acid can be diluted by eye, then the instructions should be followed here. Too much of a substance can harm, not help.

Household chemicals

You can also use some of these tools - simply because it is difficult not to find some kind of detergent composition that cannot remove scale.

Here, too, you need to carefully read the instructions: the decalcification methods should be indicated in the papers. You also need to understand that the use of household chemicals is your fear and risk. Here we are talking about how you can descale your iron, but it's up to you to decide what to use.

There are also special tools for this purpose. True, they are quite expensive, but you can still find them on store shelves. Usually, well-known brands are engaged in the release - you should trust the equipment only to proven brands.

How to descale the iron inside with vinegar?

It is rather difficult to do this procedure at home. In general, this cleaning method can be called the most difficult of the ones given here. Nevertheless, its effectiveness cannot be denied either. In order for everything to go like clockwork, proceed according to this plan:

Place the iron on the soleplate in a suitable container. This can be both a frying pan and a baking sheet, or something else.
The back should be higher than the front (you can put something to do this). Coins, planks, and the like are great.
Fill the appliance with water - the level should be slightly above the sole. Next, add the vinegar. The calculation here is as follows: two glasses of the latter per liter of water.
Set the steam regulator to the last position;
Put the entire structure on the stove (it is better, in general, to do everything at once on the stove). Turn on the gas and wait for it to boil;
Repeat the procedure two to three times;
Rinse off the remaining mixture and scale from the sole, you can just under the tap.
Give the iron time to "come to its senses". This will take about a day.

If you wanted to know how to descale your steamer iron, here is a recipe for you. You just need to remember that it is strongly not recommended to plug the device into the network. This could result in serious damage or personal injury.

Pencil

Sometimes limescale builds up not only inside the iron, but also in the steam vents. And how to descale the iron in this case? To do this, you need to remove the substance accumulated on top of the sole. In these cases, you can use the special pencil that comes with many models.

The procedure here is quite simple: you just need to heat up the water in the iron, and then rub the surface with a pencil. You will need an unnecessary piece of fabric to iron. The steam should knock out the softened scale.

It is worth noting that all this must be done on the balcony - this will be best of all, since the smell that appears is quite specific. If this is not possible, just open all windows.

Scale prevention

It is imperative to know how to descale the iron inside. But sometimes it is easier to simply avoid such situations, mainly due to the fact that the device breaks down always at the wrong time. And cleaning takes quite a lot of time and a certain amount of effort that can be spent on more useful things.

So, you will extend the life of the iron, at least protect it from limescale if:

If you follow these simple tips, then you will be able to avoid the formation of scale on the iron for quite a long time. This will prolong its service life, and besides, the quality of ironing will not decrease.

How do I clean the soleplate of my iron at home?

Sooner or later, any housewife asks herself the question: "How and how to clean the sole of the iron at home?" No matter how high-quality and expensive your iron is, there comes a time when you are faced with such an unpleasant problem as carbon deposits on the sole.

If you notice that your iron has become less slippery on the surface, or carbon deposits have become very noticeable, then it’s your turn to clean it. Do not even think about scraping off the carbon deposits with sandpaper, a scraper or a knife.: this will ruin your iron forever. The sole of any modern iron is covered with a special non-stick coating so that it glides easily even on the most delicate and delicate fabrics and does not cling to them. It is necessary to clean the iron as carefully as possible so as not to spoil the smooth surface.

Therefore, now I want to tell you, our dear hostesses, about all the secrets that will help clean the sole of the iron from carbon deposits at home. All the tools we need are in your home. Therefore, you can easily and quickly clean the smooth surface of your favorite electrical appliance.

Handy tool	How to apply?
Salt	Cleaning the iron with table salt is the most popular cleaning method among housewives. There are several ways to clean a smooth surface with salt: Method one: sprinkle a few tablespoons of fine salt (preferably extra grade) on a sheet of white paper. It is better not to use a newspaper for this, as a hot iron can "copy" the printed text on its sole. Set the temperature as high as possible and wait for the iron to heat up, then iron the salt until the carbon is completely gone. Method two: take a small piece of gauze cloth and fold it in half. Place a few tablespoons of salt in the center of the shred and wrap in a bag. Heat the iron well. Then thoroughly clean the contaminated area with a saline bag. In this way, you not only clean the iron from carbon deposits, but also return the mirror shine of a smooth surface. Method three: sprinkle some salt on the dirty area and rub it with a coarse, damp cloth. In this case, you do not need to heat the iron. Clean the surface until the carbon deposits disappear. At the end of the procedure, wipe the soleplate with a dry cloth. Dear ladies, any of the proposed methods cannot be used to clean a teflon-coated iron.
Paraffin candle	wrap a small piece of paraffin wax or paraffin candle in a cotton cloth; heat the iron well; clean the dirty areas of the smooth sole; since the candle will begin to melt, tilt the iron so that the wax flows into a previously prepared container; if the soleplate has holes for steam to escape, this must be done first. Otherwise, the paraffin will remain in the "holes" and the next ironing will stain your things; at the end of the procedure, clean the surface of the iron from residues of paraffin and carbon deposits.
Vinegar + ammonia	wet a small piece of gauze well; clean those areas of the iron where carbon deposits are present; if the carbon is too ingrained, then you can add a little ammonia to the vinegar; this mixture can be cleaned only cold iron. If these components did not help, then soak a small towel with vinegar and put an iron on it. Leave it like this until morning so that the acetic acid breaks down the carbon deposits. In the morning, carefully wipe the soleplate with a coarse cloth or a rough layer of a dishwashing sponge.
3% hydrogen peroxide	moisten a cotton pad with hydrogen peroxide; slightly heat the iron so that it is warm (peroxide will destroy carbon deposits more effectively if the temperature is slightly increased); wipe the dirty areas with a disc until you remove the carbon deposits.
Acetone or nail polish remover	preheat the iron to medium temperature for acetone to work more effectively; moisten a sponge or rag in acetone or nail polish remover and work on those areas where stains are present; if such processing does not give results, then moisten a cloth abundantly and put an iron on it; leave it overnight so that the carbon deposits soften and exfoliate; in the morning, treat the sole of the iron with a small piece of wool. Dear hostesses, if there are traces of polyethylene on the smooth sole, or you accidentally burned synthetic fabric, this tool will perfectly clean your iron.
Matchbox	Believe it or not, you can clean the iron from carbon deposits using a regular matchbox: heat the iron well; the side where the sulfur is, clean the surface from carbon deposits. In order for you to see the result as soon as possible, it is better to take a new box so that the sulfur layer is thicker.
Hydroperite	Get a hydroperite plate from your pharmacy. One tablet can effectively remove carbon deposits from the soleplate. So, to clean the iron, you need to do the following: first of all, open the windows, as hydroperite has an unpleasant odor when heated; heat the iron to medium temperature and move the tablet over the areas where carbon deposits are present; in order to quickly clean the surface, press a little on the tablet; when the carbon deposits exfoliate, its remnants and particles of hydroperite can be removed with a damp cloth.
Special pencil	Perhaps the most effective way to remove carbon deposits from the soleplate is a chemical pencil. It can be found at any hardware store or department in your supermarket. Found it? Now let's get started: heat the iron well, then unplug it from the mains; rub the sole of the iron thoroughly with a pencil; soon you will see that a chemical reaction begins, and the carbon deposit gradually collapses and exfoliates; after that, its remains can be removed with a dry clean cloth. Chemical pencil creates an unpleasant odor. But do not worry, since the vapors released when heated contain only ammonia. After the iron has cooled down, you can wipe the surface with a damp cloth. After the first use, you will feel the result - the iron will shine like new. And, cleaned of carbon deposits, it will glide even better on delicate fabrics.
Toothpaste or powder	It is enough to wipe the surface of the iron with toothpaste or prepared gruel of tooth powder and water, then rinse thoroughly with a soft gauze cloth or sponge and wipe dry.

If you are afraid to experiment, then I have in my arsenal a few more gentle means with which you can gently clean the smooth surface of the iron:

1.Laundry soap. The soap will effectively remove fresh stains from the surface.

In order for the effect of using laundry soap to be noticeable, you should:

- heat the appliance a little, then turn it off;
- rub the contaminated areas with laundry soap;
- wash the surface from soapy deposits with a damp cloth and wipe dry.

2.Baking soda. Soft soda will gently clean the iron from carbon deposits:

- mix a small amount of baking soda and warm water until a thin slurry forms;
- Using a soft sponge or cotton pad, apply the resulting paste to areas of the surface where there are carbon spots ( you do not need to heat the iron);
- then rinse the surface with a gauze cloth soaked in clean water and wipe the soleplate dry.

Always remember not to use abrasive cleaners on smooth soles. The use of knives, scrapers and other metal objects is contraindicated. This could render your appliance unusable.

We all know perfectly well that preventing problems from occurring is much easier than solving them. Therefore, after each ironing, wipe the soleplate with a damp cloth, and you will not soon think about what to clean the iron.

How to descale?

If scale has appeared in your iron, then in this article you will find for yourself the most effective methods that will help you clean it from the inside. The main cause of this global problem is the hard water that we pour into our favorite irons.

But there is no need to despair, since we have effective methods to solve this problem.

Descaling agent	Mode of application
Lemon acid	Citric acid is an excellent home remedy for descaling. In order to effectively clean your iron, you need to do the following: dissolve one tablespoon of citric acid in a glass of hot water; thoroughly moisten cotton pads in the resulting solution and attach to the holes on the sole of the iron; heat up the iron after 15 minutes, as scale is effectively destroyed at high temperatures; those particles that could not be removed can be removed with cotton swabs dipped in the same solution. And now I want to tell you, dear friends, about how to clean the iron inside with the help of citric acid: dilute a bag of the proposed product in hot water and pour it into an empty water tank; leave it on for 10 minutes; then heat the iron to the maximum temperature and shake it several times; press and hold the steam release button and watch how the scale flakes come out; hold the iron over the bathtub or basin; all limescale that has been destroyed by the influence of citric acid will permanently leave your iron.
Mineral water	Ordinary mineral water can effectively descale your iron. To do this, you will need a glass of mineral water and an empty basin into which water will be poured along with the destroyed scale. So, let's begin: slowly pour a glass of mineral water into the reservoir of the electrical appliance; connect the iron to the mains and set the temperature as high as possible; then, holding the iron over the basin, turn on the steam release button; limescale, which has peeled off the walls under the influence of mineral water and high temperature, will be thrown out together with a jet of steam. This procedure must be repeated several times. Only after you see that scale is no longer thrown out through the holes along with the steam, pour boiled drinking water into the tank. Repeat this procedure. If you notice limescale residues on the holes, you can use cotton swabs, which must be moistened with vinegar.
Table vinegar	The iron should be cleaned with vinegar by analogy with citric acid and mineral water: mix vinegar and boiled water in equal proportions and pour into the water tank; leave the iron with this solution for half an hour; then heat it up and start releasing steam. In order to clean the sole of the scale residues, soak a gauze cloth in a vinegar solution and iron it thoroughly with an iron. With a similar tool, you will effectively clean the iron from scale from the inside and outside.
Special descaling products	Of course, there is no need to doubt the effectiveness of such funds. Their composition is specially designed in order to destroy limescale on the internal elements of various electrical appliances. Now the choice of such funds is quite wide. The most effective are German products that not only destroy scale, but also protect the metal from its further formation. It is necessary to follow strictly according to the instructions and recommendations for use.
*Cillit Cleaner*	Yes, you are not mistaken. It is the use of this tool, which is designed to remove rust and plaque, that can help to cope with scale in the iron: set the iron to the maximum temperature; disconnect from the mains; place it with the sole up; "Drip" the holes with the suggested cleaning agent and leave for 15-20 minutes; all scale and dirt that come out, pick up with a soft damp cloth; rinse the iron thoroughly inside and out from residues Cillit.
Purified or distilled water	To prolong the life of your iron, use only purified drinking or distilled water for ironing. It is not recommended to pour tap water into the reservoir of the electrical appliance. But before using distilled water, carefully study the recommendations for use, since such water is not suitable for all models.
Self-cleaning system	If you are the proud owner of such an iron, you are very lucky. There is no need to apply all of the above recommendations. You need to do the following: pour purified water into the tank and heat the iron to the maximum temperature; wait for the automatic shutdown of the temperature; repeat this procedure again.

Dear hostesses, I assure you that the chosen method will effectively cope with the problem of scale and clean the iron both outside and inside. However, I want to say that you should always remember about preventive measures and elementary recommendations for handling an electrical appliance.

Many people simply do not comply with the ironing regime, do not adhere to a certain temperature regime. For example:

- cotton must be ironed at a temperature of 200 degrees;
- silk can be ironed at a temperature of 100-110 degrees;
- wool must be ironed through a gauze cloth at a temperature not higher than 130-140 degrees.

If such a nuisance happened to you, and you tried to clean the sole of the iron from carbon deposits using sandpaper, do not rush to throw your "assistant" away. It is quite possible to reanimate a smooth surface - it is enough to do the following simple manipulations:

- grate a little paraffin on a fine grater and mix with table salt;
- pour the resulting mixture onto a clean sheet of paper, cover with a thin paper napkin on top;
- iron it all with a very hot iron;
- in the end, polish the base with GOI paste.

Believe it or not, after these manipulations, the sole of the iron will again become mirror-like and smooth. This procedure must be repeated periodically in order to completely "restore" the damaged surface.

An iron is a household appliance that the hostess uses almost every day: to iron clothes for going to work for herself and her husband, a school uniform for a child or an outfit for a matinee, washed bedding and much more.

Unsurprisingly, the iron gets dirty quickly and needs to be cleaned.

Fortunately, there are plenty of tools for cleaning the iron at home.

How to clean an iron at home: what are we cleaning from?

The main "scourge" of modern irons - scale... When ironing with steam, it is easier and faster to achieve the desired effect, so every day we pour water into the iron. Most often, this is not special distilled water, but ordinary tap water. Therefore, not only the kettle, but also the iron has to be saved from scale.

Another common contamination of irons is adhered material... The reason for this is non-compliance with the recommended temperature regime for ironing different types of fabrics. Trying to finish faster, we often iron in the same "medium" mode and pillowcase, and favorite blouse, and trousers. As a result, adhered fibers of the material remain on the sole of the iron, which reduce slip, making the smoothing process very difficult.

Sometimes appears on the sole of the iron rust coating... There may be two reasons - either an increased content of iron in the water poured into the iron, or the contact of the sole with metal objects (for example, when ironing jeans with metal buttons and buckles).

The most unpleasant thing when working with an iron is accidentally adhered polyethylene... A candy wrapper forgotten in your pocket will stick to the sole of the iron almost tightly, while spoiling the fabric and exuding an unpleasant chemical smell to the whole house. This contamination is the most difficult, but the tips below will help to cope even with it.

How to clean an iron at home: methods and tools

Faced with the problem of cleaning the iron every day, wise housewives have identified several recipes that will help to cope with pollution without much difficulty.

1. Salt

To clean the soleplate with salt, you need a piece of cotton cloth, which you will not mind throwing away. Pour a tablespoon of salt onto the material, it is better to take sea salt, but the usual one, which is always in the kitchen, is also suitable. We turn on the iron on the most powerful mode, and turn off the steam. Gently iron the cloth sprinkled with salt, without pressing hard on the iron. Salt crystals will darken, absorbing dirt in themselves, and the sole of the iron will become shiny, without stains. Instead of material, you can use paper or newspaper, but with care, do not hold the iron on it for a long time.

2. Soda

Soda has long been used to clean plaque from dishes. You can also clean the iron for her. There are several ways. You can take a handful of baking soda, wrap it in thin gauze, and rub it well on a hot iron. The carbon deposits will come off very quickly. The second method is longer, it will take more than half an hour, but no less effective. To implement it, you need to mix soda with a detergent (any one is suitable for washing dishes), and thoroughly smear the sole of the iron with the resulting gruel and leave for 40 minutes. During this time, the soda will "eat away" the plaque. Then rinse the mixture thoroughly with warm water. The iron is now ready for use.

3. Vinegar

In order not to puzzle for a long time over the question of how to clean the iron at home, always keep vinegar on hand. Soak a cloth in the vinegar and rub the heated soleplate. If the contamination is strong and after such a procedure has not disappeared, you should cool the iron and put it on a cloth soaked in vinegar. Leave on for 8 hours. After the time has elapsed, the plaque will peel off and you just have to wipe the iron with a damp cloth.

4. Ammonia

You can also wipe the sole of the iron with a cloth dipped in ammonia. If the iron won't clean, take a piece of cloth and wet it with a mixture of ammonia and vinegar. The pollution will disappear as if by magic. But it is better to do this in a well-ventilated room or on the balcony, because the fumes will have a strong pungent smell.

5. Paraffin

One of the oldest folk remedies for cleaning the iron is a paraffin candle. Thousands of Soviet irons - the forefathers of modern ones - were cleaned in this way. Wrap a paraffin candle in a thick cloth and rub a very hot iron. The iron should be held at an angle over a previously prepared bowl, into which the molten paraffin together with dirt particles will drain. It is important to ensure that the paraffin does not flow into the steam holes (this is why the iron is held at an angle). Otherwise, ironing will cause a lot of hassle up to the damaged thing.

6. Hydrogen peroxide

Carbon deposits from the iron will be washed off in an instant if you wipe the hot sole with a cotton swab dipped in hydrogen peroxide.

7. Tablet of hydroperite

If you rub a hydroperite tablet over a hot iron, the dirt will peel off, and it will be enough to remove the residues with a damp cloth. It is important to remember that with such a procedure a pungent smell is emitted, therefore, the vents should be opened in advance.

8. Nail polish remover

An excellent tool in the fight against polyethylene adhered to the iron. Heat the iron and wipe the soleplate well with a cotton pad soaked in nail polish remover. When the iron is clean, wipe with a damp cloth to get rid of the acetone odor.

9. Matchbox

One of the most unconventional iron cleaning products, but effective at the same time. Heat the iron and rub it with a strip of sulfur on the box - the sole will be clean. This method should be used with great care in order to prevent burns.

10. Citric acid

Pour half a glass of water, add 2 teaspoons of citric acid, dissolve it. Moisten gauze with the resulting solution, wipe the sole of the iron thoroughly. If the scale does not go away, the iron can be turned on - when exposed to temperature, the desired effect will definitely be achieved.

11. Special cleaning pencil

On store shelves, there is a huge number of all kinds of cleaning pencils for the iron from various manufacturers. The principle of operation is the same for everyone - to rub the hot, dirty sole of the iron. The pencil melts, removing traces of dirt. After cleaning the iron, you just need to wipe it with a damp cloth.

12. Cleaners for gas stove or plumbing

The soleplate of the iron can be wiped with water and any cleaning agent that comes to hand. If the pollution is not strong or just received, it will disappear and no longer cause trouble.

13. Toothpaste

You can put some toothpaste on the soleplate of the iron and rub it with a damp sponge. After that, thoroughly rinse off the resulting foam and wipe dry.

14. Self-cleaning system

Many of modern irons from leading manufacturers are endowed with a special self-cleaning system, and you should not neglect it. Read the instructions carefully and feel free to use!

Like any household appliance, the iron loves to be handled carefully and carefully. If you wipe the soleplate with a clean damp cloth after each ironing, you will not have to struggle long and hard with strong dirt - they simply will not be there.

Special attention should be paid to the steam outlet vents.... To thoroughly clean them, you will need a vinegar-saline solution and a cotton swab. Use a moistened end of a cotton swab to gently rinse each hole in the soleplate of the iron, and dry to remove any remaining dirt and solution. Another great way to clean them is to pour distilled water and vinegar into the reservoir of your iron. Then turn on the iron, wait until it warms up, turn on the "Steam" mode and iron the towel for 5-7 minutes. After this procedure, the steam holes will be perfectly clean.

How to clean an iron at home and not ruin it?

If polyethylene or fabric fibers adhere to the iron, never try to remove the dirt with an emery cloth or metal sponge or scrape with a knife. You will wipe off the dirt, but the sole of the iron will be hopelessly damaged. In addition, almost all modern irons have a Teflon coating, which does not tolerate such barbaric methods. Do not use powder to clean the soleplate. It will scratch the coating and render the instrument unusable.

In order not to torment yourself with the question of how to clean the iron at home - do not allow scale and dirt! Excellent prevention of soles contamination - adherence to temperature conditions... There are established norms for each type of fabric, as well as recommendations for the use of steam. For example, linen products are ironed at a temperature of 180-200 degrees with a lot of steam. And chiffon does not tolerate high temperatures, it is ironed in a mode of 60-80 degrees without steam.

It is not recommended to pour tap water... Depending on the quality of the water and the content of lime and iron in it, white or red spots will periodically appear. Special liquid for irons is sold in stores, buy it. Distilled water can be used. Both of these funds cost a penny and won't hit your wallet.

Guided by these simple rules, you will get rid of unpleasant procedures for removing dirt for a long time, and the iron will serve you faithfully for a long time!