Burnt-on stains on the iron plate cause black marks on your clothes when ironing. The easy solution is to go out and buy a new iron, but with a few simple household items you will be able to clean off the black scorch marks and make the faceplate look like new. Several methods use nontoxic items you probably have in your kitchen cupboards. Unplug the iron and let it cool before applying the cleaning solution.
Mix 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar and 1/2 cup salt in a small saucepan and put it on the stove with low heat.
Remove the saucepan from the stove once the vinegar and salt mixture is warmed. Do not let the mixture overheat.
Rub the mixture into the iron plate with a nonabrasive cloth.
Cover the iron with newspaper except the scorched hotplate.
Take the iron outdoors and spray oven foam cleaner on the hotplate. Let it stand for three minutes.
Rinse the iron hotplate with a damp nonabrasive cloth and cold water. The burn marks should wipe away.
Make a paste from mixing 1/2 cup baking soda into 1/2 cup cold water. Use white toothpaste if you are out of baking soda.
Wipe the iron hotplate with the baking soda solution. Let the iron stand for two minutes with the baking soda solution on it.
Rinse off the hotplate with a damp cloth. The burn marks should disappear.