- Cleaning the base includes every part of the iron, excluding the soleplate. This part requires little cleaning; it's only necessary if the base appears dirty. Simply wipe the base with a damp cloth and dry it with a separate clean, dry cloth. The general recommendation is not to use any kind of chemical to clean the base.
- The soleplate, or the part that actually touches your clothing, becomes dirty primarily from residue from your clothing and the minerals from the water that passes through it. Most soleplates are non-stick so it repels residue. When it does become dirty, wipe it with a damp cloth. If you notice a coating on the soleplate -- often from starch and detergent buildup -- most manufacturers offer a soleplate cleaning kit or you can purchase a hot iron soleplate cleaner from a home store.
- Some steam irons come equipped with a self-cleaning function. This function automatically de-scales the iron to remove mineral deposit and other impurity buildup in your iron. Most manufacturers recommend using this function no more than once a month. Directions for the function vary with each model, but most require you to fill the iron with cold tap water, select the cleaning function and press a button to flush the water and impurities from the iron.
- Unplug the iron and allow it to cool before wiping it with a wet cloth. Do not use household cleaners or abrasive cleaning pads to clean your soleplate. Do not use descaling products in your iron.
next post