Home Cleaning Laundry How to Clean an Iron to Get Rid of Mineral Spots With a few household ingredients, your iron will be clean and ready for your clothes—no spots left behind. By Real Simple Editors Real Simple Editors Facebook Instagram Twitter An article attributed to "Real Simple Editors" indicates a collaborative effort from our in-house team. Sometimes, several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.The REAL SIMPLE team strives to make life easier for you. They are experts in their fields who research, test and clearly explain the best recipes, strategies, trends and products. They have worked for some of the most prestigious brands in lifestyle journalism, including Apartment Therapy, Better Homes & Gardens, Food & Wine, the Food Network, Good Housekeeping, InStyle, Martha Stewart Living, O: The Oprah Magazine, Parents, POPSUGAR, Rachel Ray Every Day, and Vogue. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on April 5, 2023 Fact checked by Isaac Winter Fact checked by Isaac Winter Isaac Winter is a fact-checker and writer for Real Simple, ensuring the accuracy of content published by rigorously researching content before publication and periodically when content needs to be updated. Highlights: Helped establish a food pantry in West Garfield Park as an AmeriCorps employee at Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center. Interviewed Heartland Alliance employees for oral history project conducted by the Lake Forest College History Department. Editorial Head of Lake Forest College's literary magazine, Tusitala, for two years. Our Fact-Checking Process Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article View All In This Article Frequency Considerations Materials Steps Maintenance Knowing how to clean an iron is important for avoiding spots from getting onto your clothes when ironing. Mineral spots typically build up on the iron's plate, and steam vents can get gunked up with dirt. You certainly don't want this to transfer onto fabric as you iron. Follow this simple technique to clean your iron and have spotless, crisp clothes. How Often to Clean an Iron Depending on how often you use your iron, it's recommended that you clean it every one to four months. If you're a daily ironer, you should clean it every month. Those who iron less frequently can stretch their iron cleaning to every few months. Of course, if you see any spots left behind on clothing, clean your iron right away. Considerations Before You Get Started Before cleaning your iron, always be sure it's unplugged and has completely cooled. You should also work on an ironing board or a clear, flat surface. Gather supplies ahead of time and give yourself plenty of space to avoid spills or accidents. What You Need: Iron Water Baking soda Small bowl Rubber spatula Damp cloth Soft-bristled brush or toothbrush (optional) Cotton swab Distilled water White vinegar (optional) Clean, dry cloth that can be ironed Flat surface Michael Haegele/Getty Images How to Clean an Iron With Baking Soda and Distilled Water Step 1: Make a Cleaning Paste Mix 1 tablespoon of water and 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a small bowl to make a paste. Step 2: Apply the Paste Spread the paste on the iron's plate using a rubber spatula, coating the areas with mineral deposits. Let the paste sit for a few minutes. Step 3: Wipe the Iron's Plate Wipe off the paste with a damp cloth. (If you have stubborn deposits, add more paste and massage gently with an old toothbrush or another soft-bristled brush.) Step 4: Clean the Iron's Vents Dip a cotton swab in distilled water and insert it into the iron's steam vents. Pour out any stagnant water left in the iron. Pour distilled water into the iron until the reservoir is 1/3 full. (For a stronger solution, mix 3/4 cup of water and 1/4 cup of white vinegar.) Step 5: Flush the Vents Turn the iron on to its highest setting and steam-iron a clean cloth for a few minutes, letting clean water flush out any vent deposits. Step 6: Finish and Let Dry Turn off the iron and pour out any remaining water. Place the iron on a surface that isn't too delicate in case any sediment drips out of it. How to Keep Your Iron Clean Longer To keep your iron clean longer and help keep it free of mineral deposits between cleanings, we suggest using distilled water when using the steam function. Tap water can clog the iron and cause rust stains on your clothes. Additionally, once you've finished ironing, empty the water from the iron—any water (even distilled) can cause buildup when left in the iron for an extended amount of time. Finally, be sure to store your iron upright to prevent water from dripping out. The 5 Best Steam Irons, According to Our Tests Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit