Regardless of whether your iron is cheap or expensive, sooner or later, you will encounter such a problem as carbon deposits on its sole or scale inside this necessary and useful device in everyday life. Of course, you can throw away the old one and buy a new one. This is the easiest. But, do not rush, it is better to try to clean it on your own, using improvised means and not only. And how to clean the iron so that it will please you for many years, we will tell you.
In what cases does the iron itself cope with scale
Yes, such "smart" irons exist. These are household appliances that have:
- Self-cleaning system built inside. To start the process, you need to pour water into the liquid container, turn on the iron and set the temperature to the maximum. After the automatic shutdown of the heating element, under the action of a powerful jet of steam, the ejection (through the holes on the sole) of all the scale that has formed in the reservoir of the electrical appliance begins. This procedure must be repeated so many times until reddish flakes no longer come out.
- Granular cartridges (rods) that counteract the deposition of lime. Some rods have a "permanent registration" in the device, while others must be changed periodically so that they retain their effectiveness and continue to mechanically filter water.
With such electrical appliances available, there is no need to think about how to descale the inside of the iron.
Causes of soot on the sole and scale inside
The reason for the appearance of soot on the sole of an electrical appliance is simple inattention and unwillingness to follow the elementary rules of its operation. For example, what is easier, when ironing things made of wool, do not forget to use a damp cloth (or gauze), and when arranging things made of silk, set the lowest temperature.
The reason for the appearance of scale inside is that most often tap water is poured into the liquid tank. As a result of such rash actions, calcium and magnesium s alts are deposited on the walls of the container itself and the channels through which the steam escapes. So that soot and scale do not spoil things, they must be fought mercilessly. Read on to find out how to clean your iron at home. Think and choose what suits you best.
Clean with home remedies
What improvised means can be used to deal with this "nasty" scale:
- vinegar;
- citric acid.
Vinegar on guard of purity
How to descale an iron usingtable vinegar? Algorithm of your actions:
- Preparing a solution of water with vinegar in a ratio of 1:1.
- Fill the iron tank (which is for liquid) by 1/3 of the prepared mixture.
Turn on the appliance and leave it upright for 8-12 minutes
Note! At this point, the appliance, having warmed up, will turn off, then turn on again: do not interrupt this process.
After the specified time, hold the iron on weight (in a horizontal position) over a previously prepared container and press the button that is responsible for the release of steam. Drops of a reddish color begin to appear from the holes on the sole. Repeat the procedure for releasing steam until the liquid with scale stops flowing out
Important! Be extremely careful when performing these manipulations: keep the appliance away from you (preferably at arm's length): firstly, so as not to scald; and secondly, so as not to inhale the vapors of vinegar.
Pour clean water into the tank and turn on the iron to the maximum. Again we hold the appliance over the container for collecting dirty water and repeat the procedure for releasing steam several times. We do this to eliminate any remaining vinegar (their presence may not be the best way to affect things during further ironing) and scale
We wipe the sole of the device first with a damp cloth, and then dry and the question of how to clean the iron inside you no longer cares
Important! We don't get tiredto repeat: it is best to keep the windows open when performing these actions.
Citric acid will help too
How to descale an iron at home using citric acid? This can be done quickly and easily:
- Dissolve in one glass of water (warm) one small bag (about 25 g) of citric acid.
- Pour this mixture into the liquid tank, turn on the iron and set the maximum temperature. We put it vertically and leave it in this form for 8-12 minutes (no more).
- Next, proceed in the same way as in the above method.
Household chemicals to help housewives fight carbon deposits
And if the iron is burnt: how to clean this much-needed appliance in the household? You just need to go to any hardware store or a specialized department of a supermarket and purchase household chemicals that will help you quickly and efficiently clean the iron from carbon deposits. These funds include:
- special purpose pencil;
- a product belonging to the “anti-fat family”.
Clean with a special pencil
The cost of this pencil is small, but it works very effectively. Its main component is ammonia, and in appearance it resembles an ordinary candle. The advantages of using this product include the fact that it does not contain any abrasive components: therefore, it can be used to clean any surface (for example, ceramic or cermet). What to do:
- Turn onappliance and set the temperature. After it has warmed up, disconnect it from the mains.
- Smear the sole of the iron (directly on the soot) with a pencil.
- We constantly monitor the chemical reaction that occurs on the sole of the device: as soon as the flaking of soot begins, we iron the previously prepared (unnecessary) fabric (lint-free) with an iron. Everything, the electrical appliance is cleaned. As a result of manipulations, all the components of the scale will be on the fabric and will no longer be the cause of your bad mood.
- After the final cooling of the iron, the surface of its sole should be wiped with a damp cloth. The iron is sparkling again and ready to use.
Important! Before starting the procedure, be sure to open the windows, as a result of the application of the pencil, a strong smell of ammonia appears.
Clean with an anti-grease agent
How else to clean the iron? Try any remedy from the anti-fat family. The algorithm for removing carbon deposits from Teflon, ceramic and steel surfaces is quite simple and unpretentious:
- Apply the product to the surface of the sole of the iron and leave "all this beauty" for 30 minutes (no need to heat the device).
- Then we wash the iron and iron some unnecessary rags.
Home remedies help keep the soleplate clean
The sole of the iron has become dirty - it doesn't matter. This problem can be de alt with with improvised means at home: there would be patience and desire. What can help with this issue:
- vinegar;
- lemon juice;
- baking soda;
- fine s alt;
- laundry soap;
- toothpaste;
- some medicines from your first aid kit;
- acetone.
Important! The idea of removing carbon deposits with a kitchen knife, a construction scraper, or worse, sandpaper is not a good idea. Don't you dare to do it. Otherwise, you will definitely have to say goodbye to the device, as you will remove a layer of non-stick coating, which is specially applied to easily glide over the most delicate fabrics.
Clean the sole with vinegar
Wet a small piece of cloth (or a soft sponge for washing dishes) in a solution (vinegar with water in a ratio of 1: 1); squeeze it to get rid of excess liquid; thoroughly wipe (in circular motions) the contaminated surface with it. And we recommend cleaning the holes on the surface of the sole through which steam escapes with cotton swabs soaked in the same solution with vinegar.
To remove traces of vinegar after cleaning, iron the wet fabric first, and then the dry one. This method is excellent for both Teflon and ceramic surfaces.
Important! The iron does not need to be heated during these procedures!
Lemon juice
If you are an aesthete and the smell of vinegar discourages you, you can use citric acid. The algorithm of actions is the same as in the above method.
Soda can also be tried
Soda is greatassistant in many household affairs:
- Cooking a paste from two teaspoons of soda (food) and a small amount of table vinegar (or warm water).
- Apply it on the sole of the iron (no need to heat it) and leave for 5-7 minutes.
- Remove the paste with a damp cloth, and then wipe dry.
There is s alt in every home
Pour fine s alt on a sheet of white paper. We turn on the iron to the maximum and begin to “smooth” the s alt until the soot is completely removed from the surface of the sole.
Note! Take a white sheet, not a piece of some newspaper. Otherwise, you cannot avoid the fact that all the printed text may end up on the soleplate.
If the first time you did not manage to part with soot, you can repeat the procedure. By the way, it is not at all necessary to heat the iron, you can try it cold (just press more and carry out the procedure longer).
Important! This method is absolutely not suitable for Teflon-coated electrical appliances.
Not all forgotten laundry soap
Although laundry soap looks unpresentable, sometimes you can't do without it. So the iron can also be cleaned with it: heat it up slightly, then turn off the appliance from the mains, gently rub the contaminated areas with soap and wait just a few minutes. Wipe the soleplate first with a damp cloth, remembering to clean the steam holes with toothpicks or cotton swabs, and then dry. This method is suitable for bringingorder of any surface, including Teflon.
Take a look in your first aid kit
Hydrogen peroxide or ammonia can be used to clean the soleplate of an iron. In order for the surface of the iron to shine again, it is enough to moisten the cloth in any liquid (from those listed above) and wipe the contaminated areas with it. Before this, the appliance must be slightly heated and be sure to turn it off.
A combination of vinegar and ammonia in equal proportions
This combination is also good for removing carbon deposits. If the pollution is too strong, then you can slightly increase the proportion of ammonia content. Try all the ways, and luck will be on your side.
The method is controversial, but you can try
There are traces of burnt synthetic fabric on the iron, and you do not know how to remove them? No problem. Acetone will help. He can easily deal with this problem. It is enough to moisten a small piece of x / paper cloth (or cotton pad) in acetone and wipe the problem area with it. The method is suitable for both ceramic and Teflon surfaces.
Note! Instead of acetone, you can use (you won't believe it) nail polish remover.
Iron Care Tips
If you follow our recommendations, then you may not have to wonder how to clean the iron:
- After buying an electrical appliance, do not be lazy and read the attached instructions for use. In particular, it indicates the temperature regimes for each type of fabric, as well as other useful information.
- Try not to scratchsurface of the soleplate. Otherwise, scratches may cause rust and, as a result, damage to things.
- Respect the temperature strictly.
- Fill only filtered water into the tank.
- Strictly do not use abrasive products to clean the soles.
- After each use, wipe the surface of the sole with a cloth dipped in plain water.
In conclusion
Now you know how to clean the iron and how to do it. Go ahead and your "home helper" will please you with an easy glide.
