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Steam iron can be a real headache if you do not know to clean it after each use. It certainly happened to many of us to stain our freshly washed clothes with dirt from the soleplate. Here are some simple tricks to help you keep your iron clean.
No matter how trivial may sound this advice, it is essential to carefully read the instructions for use of the iron and try to follow them strictly.
Avoid using steel wool or abrasive cleaners to clean the sole of the iron, because you risk ruining his slippery outer layer.
To prevent limescale inside the iron, use distilled water instead of tap water.
Empty the water tank after each use and wipe the iron to avoid the buildup of mineral deposits and rust.
Natural solutions for cleaning the iron:
- Method of cleaning with vinegar
To clean the inside of the iron, prepare a solution of equal parts water and vinegar. Fill the iron’s tank up to 1/3 of its capacity and turn it on steam for 5-10 minutes or until all the solution evaporates. It’s good to do this close to an open window to avoid inhaling fumes of vinegar and impurities. Once the tank is empty, fill it to full capacity with fresh water (distilled) and restart it to remove any remaining mineral deposits or vinegar.
If you want to clean the soleplate, all you have to do is to dip a cloth in vinegar, turn the iron on and start rubbing it. You can use cotton buds to clean the holes from where the steam comes out.
Cotton swabs are great for cleaning the steam holes that get dirty easily and where limescale is deposited. Dip them in vinegar or vinegar with salt and clean each hole individually.
- Method of cleaning with sodium bicarbonate and lemon
Dip a cloth in vinegar, add a tablespoon or two of baking soda and rub well the iron soleplate. Cut a lemon in half, sprinkle it with baking soda and rub the iron soleplate with it. If you don’t have baking soda, you can replace it with salt. It works just as well.
- Method of cleaning with toothpaste
Put a small amount of toothpaste on a cloth and rub the affected areas thoroughly (make sure the iron is unplugged!), then wipe well the soleplate with a damp cloth. To be sure you have removed all traces of toothpaste, including the one from the steam holes, use the method of cleaning the interior with vinegar.
