An iron is a household appliance that most of us use regularly. Over time, limescale, fibres and dirt can build up on the plate, so it’s important to keep it clean to help it function at its best.
In this guide, we explore how to clean an iron using DIY techniques and ingredients you have at home. With our expert tips and advice, you’ll have your iron looking as good as the day you bought it.
How often should you clean your iron?
How often you should clean your iron depends on how much you use it. It’s a good idea to wipe the plate with a soft cloth after each use to prevent residue from building up. This only takes a few seconds, but it can help boost your iron’s lifespan.
If you’re noticing that your iron doesn’t glide easily over your clothes or leaves marks on the fabric, it’s time for a deep clean. Ideally, this should be done every
one to four months to keep your iron running smoothly and protect your clothes from damage.
How to clean an iron plate: DIY remedies
Wondering how to clean the bottom of an iron? It’s easier than you might think, and you can use ingredients you already have in your cupboards. If you notice burn marks or sticky residue, it’s important to act quickly to avoid stains on clothes that may be hard to remove.
Below, you can explore our DIY remedies to help your iron work like new. Before trying these methods,
ensure your iron is fully switched off to prevent injury and damage.
Ceramic plate
Ceramic soleplates are light and durable, ideal for ironing delicate fabrics like silk. They glide across clothes and evenly distribute heat. However, they should be properly cared for to work at their best.
You can clean ceramic iron plates with:
- Lemon. Cut a lemon in half and squeeze some juice into a bowl. Dilute the juice with water, dip a clean, soft cloth in the mixture, and dab it across the plate. For particularly dirty areas, you may need to use more of your lemon-water mix.
- White vinegar. Gently heat a cup of white vinegar and apply it to the soleplate with a non-abrasive sponge to dissolve mineral deposits and limescale. Then, clean the vinegar off the plate with a damp cloth. To clean clogged nozzles, you can use a cotton bud dipped in white vinegar.
Steel plate
For steel iron plates, we recommend using the lemon DIY method outlined above. Clean your iron thoroughly with some lemon juice, and it should come out sparkling.
How to clean a burnt iron
Want to know how to clean a scorched iron plate? Try this method:
- Vinegar, salt and water. Mix equal parts hot water and white vinegar, and add two tablespoons of salt. Dip a clean sponge into the solution and rub it gently over the plate to remove any burnt residue.
How to descale an iron
Limescale can affect your iron’s steam function, reduce its heat output, and – in some cases – cause permanent damage. If you notice brown spots on your iron, white residue on your clothes, or a cracking noise while your iron heats up, it might be time to descale it.
Braun irons: The easiest descaling process
Cleaning your iron isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s also about improving functionality.
With our innovative Braun steam irons and
steam generator irons, descaling is easy work:
- Our anti-calc function prevents residue and limescale from building up.
- Our Braun TexStyle 9 irons feature our fastest descaling technology, with an ActiClean System that makes descaling less hassle and boosts your iron’s performance.
To descale your Braun steam iron, follow these steps:
1. Pour water into the tank to the maximum level.
2. Turn on the iron and set it to the maximum temperature. Place it upright.
3. Unplug the iron from the power outlet.
4. Hold the iron horizontally over the sink and turn the steam regulator clockwise to the anti-calc position. This drains the residual water from the tank, removing limescale and other deposits from the plate.
Caution: Hot water and steam will escape from the plate when the steam regulator is set to anti-calc.
5. Repeat these steps up to three times as needed.
6. Soak the released steam regulator in clear vinegar or lemon juice. Then, rinse it with tap water and put it back in the iron.
7. Refill the water tank, turn on the iron, and press the precision shot button four times to remove any residue before using it again.
Note: Avoid using commercial descaling products on your iron, as they may damage it.
Now you know how to clean the soleplate of an iron, you can keep yours working at its best for longer. Explore our complete range of
Braun steam irons to find your new go-to appliance, with a variety of intelligent designs to choose from.
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