How to Clean a Steam Iron and Its Base Plate

• Wipe down the base plate with a 1:1 ratio of distilled white vinegar and table salt. If your iron isn't non-stick, clean the plate with a store-bought cleaner instead.
• Pour ¹⁄₂  c (120 mL) of both water and distilled white vinegar into the iron and run it. Then, empty the iron and run it with just fresh water.
• Keep your steam iron in great condition by regularly scraping off melted plastic, using the right type of water, inspecting the power cord, and storing the iron carefully.

Cleaning the Base Plate

Mix equal parts table salt and distilled white vinegar. The resulting slurry will act as a mild abrasive and help to remove stubborn buildup on the base plate of the iron. This is particularly useful when an iron’s base plate is scorched and no longer glides over the ironing board smoothly. As an alternative, you can use a mixture of water and baking soda, or water and liquid dish soap.

Apply the cleaning solution and wipe the base plate with a soft damp cloth. Spread an even layer of the slurry onto the base plate of the iron and gently wipe it with a dampened hand towel in a scrubbing motion. Remove any excess.

Reapply and repeat as many times as necessary until clean. Continue scrubbing and removing buildup in a soft but deliberate manner being careful not to scratch the base plate. Damage to non-stick surfaces can lead to permanent discoloration and rust.

Pay special attention to cleaning the steam ducts on the base plate of the iron. Over time these can become clogged with minerals found in ordinary tap water. If your iron is having trouble producing steam, get rid of scale buildup in or around the steam ducts using a toothpick. A cotton swab or other soft object will also work.

Use a store-bought iron cleaner if the base plate is not made of non-stick material. Some steam irons will have non-coated base or sole plates. Though these can be cleaned with the aforementioned salt and vinegar solution, they may benefit from a commercial iron cleaner as well. An extra-fine abrasive may be used as a last resort.

Cleaning the Inside

Mix one half cup of water and one half cup of distilled white vinegar. Making a vinegar-based cleaning solution that can disinfect, descale, and deodorize is an economic way to clean inside of your iron. This is also the easiest way to clean parts of the iron that are otherwise unreachable.

Fill the water reservoir of the iron with the cleaning solution, and turn the iron on to heat. Set the iron on its hottest setting. If your iron does not have a temperature dial, switch it to cotton on the fabric settings.

Run the cleaning solution through the inside of the iron when the iron is hot. This is accomplished by holding down the steam button while pressing the iron into a hand towel on the ironing board. Vent the steam in 20-30 second bursts in this manner for a total of one and a half minutes.

Empty any remaining cleaning solution from the reservoir. If there is any solution left after venting, be sure to discard or repurpose it for something else. It has already run through the iron and is not needed in the following step.

Fill the reservoir with fresh water and repeat the steaming process. This will ensure that all of the vinegar is removed from the iron’s ductwork and reservoir. Drain any remaining water from the reservoir.

Regular Iron Maintenance

Remove any melted-on plastic from your iron. Chill the iron by placing its base plate in a shallow bowl of ice water. This will firm up the plastic and allow for easy removal. Scrape any plastic away with a dull plastic knife, plastic spatula, or credit card edge.

Use dryer sheets to keep your iron sparkling and smelling nice. Run a hot iron over a dryer sheet and then a hand towel. Alternate back and forth between the two. This will improve the luster of your iron by removing oils and small particles of scorched cloth or dust.

Fill your iron’s reservoir with the appropriate kind of water. Depending upon the hardness of your local tap water, the durability of certain internal parts of your iron, and the frequency of use, your iron may call for specific kinds of water. Spring water is always appropriate; however, an equitable and less expensive option is filtered tap water.

Check the power cord regularly. Note any damage, fraying, or kinks in the iron’s cord. Damage to this area might be a potential fire hazard. If damaged, discontinue use until the cord is repaired.

Store the iron properly. Never put unnecessary stress on the iron by storing it on its side or back. An iron should be stored sitting upright in an area where it is stable and will not fall. This is also a safety precaution and ensures that if the iron were heated, the base plate would not be touching a cloth surface that can be damaged as it heats.