# How should I clean my iron?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-i-clean-my-iron/65515>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 15, 2001, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-i-clean-my-iron/65515 "2001-05-15T15:46:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![heembo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f6c823/32.png) [@heembo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/heembo)\
**Post date:** [May 15, 2001, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-i-clean-my-iron/65515/1 "2001-05-15T15:46:36Z")

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I have an iron that I use regularly, and I am starting to see some residue building up on the bottom of the iron. I have also noticed that the steam doesn’t come out as good as it used to.

How can I clean both the inside and the outside of my iron? I have searched the web, and all I could find were tips on cleaning the outside (or bottom) of the iron. This is only half the equation.

Can someone help?

Thanks,

Heembo

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**Author:** ![Chef\_Troy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85f322/32.png) [@Chef\_Troy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chef_Troy)\
**Post date:** [May 15, 2001, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-i-clean-my-iron/65515/2 "2001-05-15T15:58:04Z")

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To remove mineral deposits inside your iron, fill it with vinegar instead of water and turn it on full. Iron something you don’t care about, like an old towel. Use the “blast-o-steam” feature if your iron has one.

Then drain, and flush with water several times.

You may have to repeat the process if your iron is seriously clogged.

I’m glad I can now let go of this bit of knowledge… I certainly don’t need it, as I haven’t ironed anything in over two years. Ah, the life of a writer… everyone EXPECTS you to be rumpled.

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**Author:** ![heembo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f6c823/32.png) [@heembo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/heembo)\
**Post date:** [May 15, 2001, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-i-clean-my-iron/65515/3 "2001-05-15T17:45:36Z")

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Chef Troy,

I’m assuming you mean white vinegar - right? Also, how do I flush out the vinegar? Same process?

Thanks for the hint - I’ll be stopping off at the grocery store on my way home from work tonight.

Heembo

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**Author:** ![ShelliBean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@ShelliBean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShelliBean)\
**Post date:** [May 15, 2001, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-i-clean-my-iron/65515/4 "2001-05-15T18:13:09Z")

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To rinse the vinegar out just keep doing the same thing with water. Use distilled water to keep the build-up from coming back. And yes, use white vinegar (a.k.a. the holy grail of household cleaning).  
Michelle

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**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\
**Post date:** [May 15, 2001, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-i-clean-my-iron/65515/5 "2001-05-15T23:49:13Z")

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How about [http://www.howtocleananything.com](http://www.howtocleananything.com) ?

Its probably calcium/lime deposits, you can get a specific cleaner for that at the hardwares store.

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**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\
**Post date:** [May 16, 2001, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-i-clean-my-iron/65515/6 "2001-05-16T00:15:00Z")

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First use the white vinegar…the acid goes after the minerals.

Rinse.

Now use a solution of baking soda…it’ll neutralize any vinegar residue, and go after any deposits acids don’t touch  
(It’s an alkali).

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**Author:** ![heembo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f6c823/32.png) [@heembo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/heembo)\
**Post date:** [May 17, 2001, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-i-clean-my-iron/65515/7 "2001-05-17T18:03:37Z")

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Thanks for all the advice.

I’ll have my iron tuned up and revin’ to go before you can say “Hot diggidy Dowg that’s one wrinkle free shirt!”