The Ultimate Guide: How to Clean an Iron with Salt in 9 Easy Steps

Iron is a common household item used for ironing clothes. Over time, iron can accumulate dirt, grime, and other mineral deposits, making it hard to use. One simple and effective way to clean iron is with salt. It is an inexpensive and easy way to maintain the performance of your iron. The salt method is particularly effective in removing stubborn stains from the iron’s soleplate. It is also a safe and eco-friendly way to clean your iron. This article reveals an effective technique about how to clean your iron with salt and remove impurities and keep your iron in excellent working condition.

Using salt to clean your iron is a natural and cost-effective way to remove these impurities and keep your iron in good working condition. Before we dive into the steps for cleaning an iron plate with salt, it is essential to note that this method is not recommended for all types of irons. If you have a non-stick or ceramic soleplate, using salt to clean it can scratch or damage the surface. Always refer to your iron’s user manual to ensure that it is safe to use this method.

9 steps to clean your iron for the best results:

Let’s start with the step-by-step cleaning of iron with salt.

Material you need

• Salt
• A soft cloth
• A bowl of warm water
• Cotton swabs
• White vinegar

Step 1: Turn off and unplug the iron. Before cleaning your iron, ensure it is turned off and unplugged. This is important for your safety, as the iron is excellent and won’t cause any burns or accidents.

Step 2: Prepare the salt mixture to clean the iron. You will need a small bowl, coarse salt, and water. Start by adding one tablespoon of salt to the bowl. Then, slowly add water and make a paste-like consistency. Stir the mixture to dissolve salt in the water.

Step 3: Once you have prepared the salt mixture, the next step is to apply it to the iron. Ensure that the iron is unplugged and cool to the touch before you begin cleaning it. Take a clean cloth. Then, rub the cloth gently over the surface of the iron with the salt mixture on it. You have to be careful with any areas with stains or residue buildup.

Step 4: Once you have applied the salt paste, let it settle for a few minutes. This will allow the salt to work magic and loosen any dirt or grime accumulated on the soleplate.

Step 5: After letting the salt paste sit for a few minutes, gently scrub the soleplate with a soft cloth. Keep scrubbing until all the dirt and grime have been removed.

After you have applied the salt mixture to the iron, the next step is to wipe it off. Take a cloth piece and make it wet. Then, use it to wipe off the salt mixture from the surface of the iron. Ensure that all the salt is eliminated from the iron.

Step 6: After scrubbing the soleplate with a soft cloth, rinse it with water, and employ a cotton swab to cleanse the steam vents and other areas that are difficult to access.

Step 7: Once you have rinsed the soleplate with warm water, use a clean cloth to wipe it dry. Make sure the soleplate is completely dry before using the iron again.

Step 8: Clean the steam vents with vinegar. You can clean the steam vents with vinegar to ensure your iron is completely clean. In a small dish, blend equal quantities of white vinegar and water. Dip a cotton swab into the vinegar solution to clean the steam vents. Also, check our alternative article on How to clean Iron with Vinegar to understand vinegar’s properties better.

Mineral deposits and other forms of debris can also obstruct the steam vents on the iron.Twist the cotton swab as you insert it to help remove any buildup. Then wipe off any excess salt residue.

Step 9: After cleaning the iron with salt, the final step is to rinse it with water. Get a clean piece of fabric, moisten it with water, and then sweep over the iron’s surface to get rid of any lingering salt traces. Once you have rinsed the iron, let it dry completely before using it again.

Mandatory Precautions to take

 Take preventive measures into account before you consider how to clean your iron with salt:

• Salt can be abrasive, meaning it can scratch the soleplate if applied too vigorously—a soft cloth and gentle pressure when cleaning is essential to prevent any iron surface damage.
•  If salt residue remains on the iron soleplate after cleaning, it can transfer to clothing during ironing. Therefore, it’s essential to rinse the soleplate thoroughly with water and dry it completely to avoid leaving any salt residue.
• To prevent electrical shock or damage to the iron, ensure it is unplugged and completely cooled down before cleaning it.
• Not all Irons may be compatible with salt, so it is recommended to consult the manufacturer’s instructions or manual before using salt to clean the soleplate.
•  Suppose you need to decide whether to use salt to clean your iron. Consider our articles on alternative methods, such as How to clean the iron with baking soda or commercial iron cleaner that may be more appropriate for your iron.

Some pro tips for cleaning the iron

Use coarse salt, effectively removing stains and buildup to that acceptable salt.The iron should be disconnected and cool to the touch prior to starting the cleaning process. Be gentle when cleaning the iron to avoid scratching the surface. If cleaning the iron’s soleplate, avoid getting water or salt mixture inside the steam vents.

Signs when your iron needs a proper Cleanup

• More steam production can indicate that your iron needs descaling.
• The appearance of brown or white stains on the soleplate can result from the accumulation of minerals from tap water over time.
• If the iron takes longer than usual to heat up, this could suggest that the heating element is covered in mineral deposits.
• When the steam holes on your iron become clogged or fail to produce steam, it may be time to descale your iron.
• Unusual sounds coming from your iron could indicate that there is mineral buildup inside the iron.
• Stains or marks left on clothes after ironing could indicate that the iron needs to be descaled.

Benefits of Cleaning an Iron with Salt

Using salt to clean an iron has several benefits, including:

1. It’s a natural and cost-effective method: You don’t need expensive cleaners or chemicals to clean an iron with salt.
2. It’s gentle on the iron: Salt is abrasive enough to remove stains and buildup but gentle enough.
3. It’s practical: Salt is a powerful cleaning agent that can remove even tough stains and mineral deposits.

Potential drawbacks of cleaning iron with salt

1. First, salt can scratch the surface of the iron, which may affect its ability to glide smoothly over fabric.
2. If the salt is not completely dissolved before use, it could leave particles that may clog the steam vents and damage the iron.
3. Finally, using salt to clean an iron too frequently may cause the soleplate to become pitted over time, reducing its lifespan.

Conclusion:

Using salt for cleaning an iron could be an economical and eco-friendly approach. Salt’s abrasive properties help remove stubborn residue from the iron’s soleplate, improving ironing performance. By doing this straightforward technique into our cleaning routine, we can keep our irons in excellent condition, enabling smooth and wrinkle-free ironing for years. Not all irons are designed to withstand this method, so verifying compatibility is necessary before proceeding.