How To Clean The Bottom Of An Iron

Cleaning the bottom of your iron might not be at the top of your task list, but taking a few minutes to maintain your trusty sewing iron is sure to pay off—especially if the soleplate is visibly dirty. Whether you're dealing with starch buildup or scorch marks, or you accidentally ironed the wrong side of your fusible interfacing (oops!), we've got just the thing to help you keep the bottom of your iron clean as a whistle: iron cleaner! Read on to learn about iron cleaner and how to use it, and shop for all the ironing accessories you need for easy, effective ironing at WAWAK. 

Having a clean, smooth iron base makes ironing easier and more effective than ironing with a dirty soleplate.

HOW TO CLEAN THE BOTTOM OF AN IRON

Why Clean an Iron Soleplate?

If you're dealing with stubborn starch, adhesive, or other material stuck to the bottom of your iron, you'll want to remove it to avoid transferring it to other fabrics, of course. But even a relatively clean iron can use a wipe-down every once in a while to help maintain even heat distribution across the soleplate and minimize friction for easier ironing. Having a clean, smooth iron base makes ironing easier and more effective than ironing with a dirty soleplate.

While there are many alternative home methods for cleaning an iron, we recommend using an iron cleaner like EZ-Off Professional Iron Cleaner for the best results. Iron Cleaners consist of a gel or paste specifically formulated for cleaning heated metal surfaces. EZ-Off is safe for all irons with a metal soleplate and effectively removes residues like starch, scorching, debris, and more. It's also non-abrasive (meaning it won't scratch up your soleplate) and non-flammable, making it safe for use on high-temperature heated metal. In this post, we'll walk you through how to use EZ-Off Professional Iron Cleaner; if using a different iron cleaner, be sure to read its package instructions, as the method may vary for other products.

Materials You'll Need:

Using an iron cleaner to clean off an iron soleplate is simple. You'll need only three things:

1. EZ-Off Professional Iron Cleaner

Our chosen iron cleaner, excellent for removing starch, scorch marks, and foreign materials from the base of an iron.

2. A Heavy Cotton Cloth

Any heavy cotton cloth you don't mind getting dirty is suitable—an old cotton towel is perfect!

3. Your Iron

Ez-Off Iron Cleaner is safe for any iron with a metal ironing surface.

How to Clean an Iron Soleplate Step-By-Step

1. Heat Up The Iron

EZ-Off Iron Cleaner is used while the iron is hot, so the first step is to turn on your iron. This conveniently allows you to clean your iron right before or after using it!

2. Apply Iron Cleaner

Apply a liberal amount of iron cleaner onto your cloth or towel.

3. Wipe With Circular Motions

Use the cloth to rub the cleaner onto the iron soleplate using small circular motions, paying special attention to any soiled areas. Be very careful to avoid touching the heated metal. Once the residue is removed, wipe the iron clean using a clean portion of the cloth, and your iron is ready to use!

Repeat as needed to clean the bottom of your iron. EZ-Off can be used daily (or as often as you prefer) to keep the bottom of your iron clean, slick, and gliding right over fabrics. Next time you fire up your sewing iron, give it a little TLC and see the difference a clean iron makes!

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