# residue on iron **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 25, 2009, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/residue-on-iron/482930 "2009-01-25T17:12:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/residue-on-iron/482930/1 "2009-01-25T17:12:38Z")
I have this black junk building up on my clothes iron. 1. I don’t use water for the steamer function…I spritz with water. 2. I haven’t starched anything in ages. What is it? Maybe the detergent/fabric softener are leaving a residue that the iron is picking up? And how do I get rid of it? My usual method, ironing a pure white shirt, only gets off enough to ruin the shirt. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/residue-on-iron/482930/2 "2009-01-25T19:25:24Z")
Try ironing over a paper bag sprinkled with salt. You can also scrub it with a scour pad and a bit of dishwasher detergent, but if it’s a Teflon-coated iron, mind that you don’t scratch it. I’ll let someone else tackle the “what is it”. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Saltire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saltire/32/553_2.png) [@Saltire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saltire)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/residue-on-iron/482930/3 "2009-01-25T19:27:48Z")
Sounds like you might have hard water, with some minerals in it. You might want to buy some distilled water to use when you iron. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/residue-on-iron/482930/4 "2009-01-25T20:07:32Z")
Mineral accumulation is usually hard and white, while black stuff that comes off on clothes is probably organic. Either way, though, soaking in white vinegar would probably help. ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/residue-on-iron/482930/5 "2009-01-25T20:59:39Z")
Yeah, I don’t think it’s minerals…it doesn’t have a crystalline look to it. More like if you had adhesive on the iron, then heated it. I think I’ll try cleaning it but frankly it’s become a PITA. I went out and bought a new one. @$80 I hope it won’t have the same problem. [http://www.target.com/Rowenta-Acti-Steam-Iron/dp/B00121UIDU/sr=1-6/qid=1232905663/ref=sr\_1\_6/176-9048654-8655734?ie=UTF8&pricerange=&index=target&field-browse=1038576&rh=k%3Asteam%20iron&page=1](http://www.target.com/Rowenta-Acti-Steam-Iron/dp/B00121UIDU/sr=1-6/qid=1232905663/ref=sr_1_6/176-9048654-8655734?ie=UTF8&pricerange=&index=target&field-browse=1038576&rh=k%3Asteam%20iron&page=1) ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/residue-on-iron/482930/6 "2009-01-25T21:12:25Z")
Any time I’ve ended up with blank gunk on my clothes it’s because I’ve accidentally applied a too-hot iron to a cotton-poly blend. ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/residue-on-iron/482930/7 "2009-01-26T22:22:28Z")
> [@Larry\_Mudd](#): > > Any time I’ve ended up with blank gunk on my clothes it’s because I’ve accidentally applied a too-hot iron to a cotton-poly blend. That may explain it. I do iron with it full-tilt. I think I’ll back off on the heat, watch how the new iron responds. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2009, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/residue-on-iron/482930/8 "2009-01-27T01:10:40Z")
> [@NinetyWt](#): > > Try ironing over a paper bag sprinkled with salt. Really? I don’t have black stuff on my iron, but occasionally I gunk it up when using fusible web. Ironing over a fabric softener sheet takes care of the gunk, but I don’t use softener sheets, so next time I’ll try the paperbag-salt thing. 🆒 My problem is lime build-up from our water. I have to do the vinegar thing regularly or no steam.