Many clothing irons have a non-stick soleplate that heats up in order to iron the clothing item and often has small holes to allow steam to pass through to the clothing item. Over time, this soleplate may get dirty or stained because of exposure to minerals in water, laundry starch or other substances. Cleaning the soleplate on an iron can help prevent these stains from transferring to the clothing items, clogging the steam holes or causing problems with the overall performance of the iron and only requires some basic household items.
Turn off and unplug the iron. Wait for the iron to cool completely before cleaning.
Dampen a clean cloth with white vinegar. Wipe the soleplate with the cloth, scrubbing gently to remove stains.
Mix a small amount of baking soda with vinegar to create a paste if the stains remain on the soleplate. Apply the paste to the soleplate, avoiding the steam holes, as the paste may clog the holes.
Wait 20 minutes and use a clean, damp cloth to wipe off the baking soda mixture.
Use a cotton swab to carefully clean out the steam holes.
Wipe the soleplate with a dry cloth.