How to Clean a Steam Iron at Home

A steam iron is a helpful household tool in everyday life for most people. Accordingly, can last longer if maintained and cleaned properly.

The question is, do you know how to clean your steam iron properly? If yes, good for you. If not really, this article will help you.

Things Needed in Cleaning a Steam Iron

Maybe you’ll think that cleaning a steam iron is pretty simple. However, it needs extra care and attention to completely clean the iron without hurting yourself or damaging your iron.

The following will help you to effectively clean your steam iron using different methods and techniques. Moreover, these can be done at the comfort of your home.

Damp Cloth

A clean cloth or rag is one of the basic things needed in cleaning your steam iron. Dip your cloth in water allowing it to be completely wet. Then, wring it out to remove the excess water.

White Vinegar

White vinegar is a popular home essential in cleaning. It can remove dirt, grime, bacteria and odor in your steam iron.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is another alternative in cleaning dirt. It is usually mixed with water or vinegar to have a more powerful effect in cleaning.

Other things to use in cleaning your steam iron are toothbrush, cotton buds and water, of course. You can use your old toothbrush, but make sure that its bristles are soft to avoid scratching your iron.

How to Clean the Inside

Mix an equal amount of white vinegar and water in a container. This cleaning solution can disinfect and deodorize the inside of your steam iron.

Fill the water storage of your iron with the solution. Then, turn the steam iron on and set it on its hottest setting.Use the steam iron as if it is filled with water. Run it on a cloth and wait until the storage is empty.

Once there is no cleaning solution left in the storage, fill it with fresh water. Repeat the steaming process to ensure that there is no vinegar left inside.

When you are done, drain the water from the water storage. Now, the inside of your steam iron is germ-free.

How to Clean the Iron Base

Mix an equal amount of white vinegar and salt. The mixture is what you will use as a mild abrasive in cleaning the base of your iron.

Furthermore, you can also use a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar. This solution is another effective way to remove dirt from your iron base plate.

Just mix a teaspoon of baking soda and a cup of white vinegar. You can choose which mixture you will use.

These mixtures can remove grime build up on the base plate of your iron. If your iron base no longer glides smoothly, it really needs to be cleaned.

Apply any of the mixtures on your iron base plate. Use a damp cloth in spreading the layer of the mixture. Gently scrub the surface until it is clean.

Repeat the process if you still see dirt build up on the base plate. Be careful in scrubbing. You don’t want to scratch the base plate because it can cause rust.

Cleaning the Steam Ducts

Steam ducts on the base plate of the steam iron must be cleaned also. These could be clogged due to regular use.

If your steam iron has a problem in producing steam, there could be a problem with your steam ducts. Check if there is visible dirt on its holes.

Use a cotton bud or toothbrush in removing visible dirt on the area. It is important to remove the scale build-up, which are caused by using water.

If the dirt is too tough, try dipping a toothbrush or a cotton bud in white vinegar. You can also use the mixtures you made in cleaning the base plate and the water storage of your steam iron.

Conclusion

Now, your steam iron is good as new. Keep on cleaning it regularly to avoid unwanted dirt that may stick on your clothes when using your iron.

I hope you enjoyed reading the step-by-step methods on how to clean your steam iron. If you have other tips, please leave a comment.