A dirty iron can ruin your clothes: learn how to clean it properly with these simple tricks

Iron

Forget about scrubbing like crazy: with a few home remedies, you can restore your iron’s shine without throwing it away

The iron is one of those appliances that you never appreciate until it breaks down. The day a black stain appears on the soleplate and threatens to ruin your favourite shirt, your routine turns into a domestic drama, all because of a build-up of dirt that, with a little care, could have been avoided.

Frequent use, contact with synthetic fabrics, or carelessness with the temperature are enough to burn the metal and cause unsightly dark marks to appear. The result: clothes with a strange smell, poorly removed creases, and an iron that looks like it has been through too many domestic battles.

Fortunately, there is no need to buy a new one or spend a fortune on specialised products. Most of the solutions are in the pantry, and home science shows that a little patience can restore the dignity of your iron’s soleplate.

Bicarbonate of soda or vinegar

The combination of bicarbonate of soda and vinegar, separately, is not only useful for unblocking sinks or cleaning windows. When mixed into a paste (baking soda with water) or a spray (vinegar with three parts water), they are an effective remedy for black stains on your iron.

Simply apply the mixture to a cloth and wipe it over the iron, leaving it to work for a few minutes and then rubbing gently with a microfibre cloth until the metal regains its shine.

Coarse salt

Another classic remedy is coarse salt, which acts as an exfoliant for the iron. Spread a handful on baking paper and slide the hot soleplate over it several times. The effect is immediate: the salt traps the burnt residue and leaves the surface looking much cleaner, without damaging the coating.

Toothpaste, the unexpected ally

Although it may seem like something out of a vintage magazine, white toothpaste works surprisingly well on small stains. Its slightly abrasive formula removes residue without damaging the soleplate. However, you must rinse it off afterwards with a damp cloth to prevent it from leaving marks on your clothes.

A Dirty Iron Can Ruin Your Clothes: Learn How To Clean It Properly With These Simple Tricks

The power of lemon

The citric acid in lemon juice is another natural alternative that helps dissolve stains and combat oxidation. Rubbing the soleplate with a cloth dampened with fresh juice can restore a more uniform tone and, at the same time, eliminate unpleasant odours that burnt irons sometimes give off.

Prevention is better than cleaning

Beyond home remedies, the key is to prevent the iron from reaching that state. Using distilled water, adjusting the temperature according to the fabric, and cleaning the soleplate with a dry cloth after each use are simple routines that extend the life of the appliance.

Black stains are not a death sentence for your iron. With bicarbonate of soda, salt, toothpaste or lemon, you can make it look like new again.

The next time you look at that little appliance, remember that, if well cared for, it can continue to be the silent ally that keeps your clothes looking impeccable for years to come.

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