Home Cleaning Laundry How to Clean an Iron Over time your iron might look the worse for wear. This video shows how to clean an iron of mineral spots quickly. 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 Published on September 5, 2008 Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Michael Haegele/Getty Images Your dress shirts look crisp, but over time your iron might look the worse for wear. This video's simple technique gets rid of mineral spots on the iron's plate and cleans out caked steam vents. 1. Gather your materials. You'll need: IronFlat surfaceWaterBaking sodaSmall bowlRubber spatulaDamp clothCotton swabDistilled waterClean dry cloth that can be ironedSoft-bristled brush or toothbrush (optional) 2. Clean the iron's heating plate. Mix together 1 tablespoon of water and 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a small bowl to make a paste. Using a rubber spatula, spread the paste on the iron's plate, coating the areas that have mineral deposits. Wipe off the paste with a damp cloth after letting it sit for a few minutes. If you have stubborn deposits, add more paste and massage gently with an old toothbrush or other soft-bristled brush. 3. Clean iron's steam holes. 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 one-third full. For a stronger solution, mix 3/4 cup of water and 1/4 cup of white vinegar. Turn on the iron to its highest setting and steam-iron a clean cloth for a few minutes, letting clean water flush out any vent deposits. Turn off the iron and pour out any remaining water. Place the iron ona. surface that isn't too delicate in case any sediment drips out of it. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit