While ironing, you may notice a burning fabric smell that is often accompanied by stuck pieces of burnt fabric on the iron plate. This usually occurs when delicate fabric, like silk or linen, melts at the bottom of the iron plate.
You have to clean the burnt fabric as early as possible or risk it melting further and staining the iron plate. It may stain other clothes and ruin the conductivity of the iron in the long run. So, how do you remove burn marks from an iron box and make it look brand new?
How to remove burnt marks from an iron
Most of the items you need to remove burnt fabric from your iron box are readily available in your home. You should, however, not be alarmed if the products do not remove the scorch marks. Different methods produce different results. You can switch to a different method if the first one doesn’t work.
Make sure to unplug your iron box and let it cool down before you start cleaning. Use a toothpick, clean toothbrush, or cotton swab to wipe the burned fabric from the iron plate. You can also use a wooden spatula or flat-edged wooden tool. Acetone nail polish remover will work best to get rid of polyester.
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If you’ve tried cleaning using the steps above without success, try the following methods:
1. How to clean an iron box with salt and a newspaper
Follow these steps to clean the bottom of the iron using a newspaper and salt:
- Turn the iron to a low heat setting and wait for it to warm up.
- Place a piece of newspaper on the ironing board and sprinkle it with a thin layer of salt.
- When the iron is hot, quickly rub it over the salt in a circular motion for one minute.
- Repeat the procedure while adding salt if necessary.
- Disconnect the iron from power, let it cool, and wipe the remnants using a wet microfiber cloth.
2. How to remove burnt fabric from an iron box using baking soda
Alternatively, you can use baking soda to clean a non-stick iron plate when burnt using the following steps:
- Form a thick paste with two parts of baking soda and one part of water.
- Cover the iron plate with the paste but do not cover the steam holes.
- Scrub it with a clean toothbrush and wipe it with a clean and damp microfiber cloth.
You can substitute water with lime juice to make your iron look brand new. Here are the steps to follow:
- Squeeze one lime and mix with baking soda to make a paste.
- Smear the paste on the scorched parts of the iron plate.
- Let the iron rest upright for five minutes, and gently wipe the paste until the iron plate.
- Wipe the residue with a damp microfiber cloth and let the iron dry.
3. Cleaning an iron box using vinegar
A mixture of vinegar and baking soda is among the most effective methods for cleaning burnt fabric. Vinegar solution is known to be aggressive on stubborn stains and marks.
- Form a paste with equal amounts of vinegar and baking soda.
- Insert a microfiber cloth into the paste and rub it on the iron plate in circular motions.
- Wet a clean microfiber cloth in distilled water and thoroughly wipe off the paste residue.
4. Clean an iron plate with toothpaste
These are the steps on how to clean an iron using toothpaste:
- Rub a small amount of white toothpaste on a cotton swab or toothbrush to scrub the scorch marks. Only scrub the areas that have fabric and scorch marks.
- Wipe off the residue with a damp microfiber cloth.
There is no problem when toothpaste gets into the steam holes. You can remove them through these steps:
- Pour distilled water into the tank.
- Place the iron to face upwards and on an old towel.
- Set the iron to steam and rest on the ironing board for a few minutes.
- Press the steam button for about 30 seconds and wipe it with a damp microfiber cloth.
- Repeat this process five times until you see the steam flowing freely.
That’s it. You should now be able to clean burnt fabric from an iron.