Cleaning an iron can too often fall to the wayside, mainly because water is constantly put inside of it. It can be believed to be “clean” for the same reason a showerhead or a tea kettle is. Pouring out the water after use just isn’t enough though. Although you don’t want to use hard chemicals that could potentially stain your clothes once the iron is hot again, how do you clean an iron anyway? Here’s how.

Reminders Before Cleaning an Iron

Prior to cleaning an iron, make sure it is unplugged and cool to the touch. If there are any special instructions that could cancel the manufacturer warranty, review those ahead of time. Without doing so, and if the iron ends up malfunctioning after the cleaning process is complete, this could hurt your chances of a refund for an in-warranty product.

If you don’t have distilled water to work with beforehand, you can make your own distilled water. Grab a pot with a lid, and fill the pot with water. Leave enough room for a bowl to sit in the middle of the pot, and turn the lid upside down. On the lid, place a bunch of ice. While the water is boiling, condensed water will form, leaving behind minerals and contaminants that are common in tap water. Once you get enough water to fill the bowl, turn the fire off. Let the condensed water cool, and get ready to clean your iron. Discard the remaining boiled water and ice on the lid.

How To Clean an Iron

Staying away from chemicals that can stain clothing, even if they may do a reasonable job of cleaning an iron, is top priority. While iron blades are made of pure iron and steel, and products like glass cleaner can remove smudges, this isn’t the way to go with a clothes iron. Avoid using harsh scrubbing brushes, sponges or brillo. It’s not necessary to get a clean iron.

Instead, try a mixture of distilled white vinegar and distilled water with a microfiber cloth to clean off the soleplate (the flat, plated area that touches clothing directly). If a wipe down is not enough, mix two tablespoons of baking soda with one tablespoon of water. Once mixed into a paste, rub it in again with a microfiber cloth.

If the stubborn stains are in the steam holes, use a moist cotton swab (cotton bud) to reach further into the hard-to-reach areas. Once you’ve successfully cleaned the steam holes, soleplate and the remainder of the iron (including wiping off the wheel), use a separate microfiber cloth to dry the iron off completely.

Schedule for Cleaning an Iron

Unlike a refrigerator or stove, which can get dirty even when it’s not in regular use, how often you clean an iron will depend on how often it’s used. Cleaning an iron can work a couple of times a year, or you may need to clean it on a monthly basis. As long as it’s functioning properly, not leaving stains on your clothing and can be cleaned effectively, your iron can last as long as a decade. Proper maintenance like the instructions above will determine its longevity and keeping your clothes in tip-top shape.