An iron is one of the household appliances that is put to the most work. If you own an iron, you will surely know how important it is in your everyday life, especially when you’re running late for that morning meeting or evening dinner and your outfit is creased. Pulling your iron out of the cupboard and finding out that it’s not working when you’re in a rush can cause lots of stress. That is why it’s important to clean your iron regularly, to extend its lifespan and save you from buying a new one more often than you would like to.
Luckily, learning how to clean an iron is not a difficult job at all. There are many ways you can do it, most of them requiring just a few common cleaning tools. In this specific article, we will look at the two best ways to clean the steam holes of an iron. Before we dive into the cleaning methods, let’s look at the signs to pick up on when figuring out if your iron needs to be cleaned.
How To Know If My Iron Needs Cleaning
If you aren’t sure when your iron needs to be cleaned, here are some pointers to help you out:
- Your iron is no longer steaming as it should be
- Your iron is staining your clothing
- Your iron is pulling on the fabrics of your clothing
- A faded residue is beginning to form on your iron plate
- Your iron is no longer gliding as smoothly as it should be
How Often Must I Clean My Iron
If your iron is in good condition and not showing evidence of any of the signs listed above, that does not mean you can skip cleaning it. Regular cleaning is crucial in making sure it remains in optimum working condition for as long as possible. Clean your iron thoroughly at least twice a year. If you use it more often than most people, then opt for a couple more cleans. Check the user manual for your specific iron too, when searching for this answer and any others.
Cleaning the Steam Holes With Vinegar
This method of cleaning is a super quick way to rid the steam holes of any dust and dirt. If your iron doesn’t necessarily need a thorough clean, use these 5 steps below to rid your iron’s steam holes of any unwanted substances:
What You’ll Need:
- Cotton buds
- An old toothbrush
- Distilled white vinegar
- Distilled water
5 Steps To Follow:
NB – Make sure your iron is turned off to start with
- Dip a cotton bud into distilled white vinegar.
- Use it to clear out the holes of any dirt and grime, making sure to change buds when need be.
- Dip an old toothbrush into the vinegar and use it to brush into the holes.
- Once the holes are clean, pour distilled water into the inlet and set your iron to steam.
- Blast the steam numerous times to rinse the holes of vinegar.
Cleaning the Steam Holes With Vinegar And Water
Similar to the process above, this method is also a quick way to give the steam holes of your iron a good clean. However, this technique cleans the inside of the iron too. Use the following 5 steps to clean the iron’s steam holes and inside:
What You’ll Need:
- Distilled white vinegar
- Distilled water
- Cotton buds
5 Steps To Follow:
NB – Make sure your iron is turned off to start with
- Mix 1 cup of white vinegar and 1 cup of distilled water.
- Pour the mixture into the iron’s inlet.
- Turn your iron onto its steam function and let it run until all the mixture is used up.
- Turn the iron off and allow it to cool down.
- Use a cotton bud to clean the steam holes, making sure to change buds when need be.
Use either of the cleaning methods above to restore your iron to its original working efficiency. Make sure to set aside a few times a year to give your iron a thorough cleaning, for it to last long into the future. Learn how to clean an iron with vinegar to have it working at its best.
