Spring cleaning season is upon us! This means it’s time to break out the cleaning supplies and get to work. One area you may not think to clean is the bottom of your iron. But, if you want to keep your iron in good condition, it’s important to clean the bottom regularly. Here’s how to do it.

To clean the bottom of your iron, start by unplugging it and allowing it to cool completely. Once the iron is cool, fill a small bowl with equal parts water and white vinegar. Dip a soft cloth into the solution and use it to gently scrub the bottom of the iron. Be sure to clean any holes or steam vents to remove any built-up mineral deposits.
When you’re finished, wipe the bottom of the iron with a damp cloth to remove any remaining vinegar solution, then dry it thoroughly with a clean towel. It’s important to clean the bottom of your iron regularly to prevent any built-up grime or mineral deposits from affecting its performance.
What you’ll need
To clean the bottom of your iron, you will need:
- A small bowl
- Equal parts water and white vinegar
- A soft cloth
- A damp cloth
- A clean towel
Step 1: Unplug your iron
The first step in cleaning the bottom of your iron is to unplug it and allow it to cool completely. This is an important safety precaution to prevent any burns or accidents while cleaning. It’s also important to make sure that the iron is completely cool before you begin cleaning it, as hot surfaces can cause the cleaning solution to evaporate quickly and make it more difficult to clean effectively.
- Locate the plug for your iron and unplug it from the wall outlet.
- Allow the iron to cool completely before proceeding to the next step.
Once your iron is cool, you can begin cleaning the bottom of it to remove any built-up grime or mineral deposits. It’s important to clean the bottom of your iron regularly to prevent any issues with its performance.
Step 2: Fill a bowl with equal parts water and vinegar
Once your iron is cool and unplugged, the next step is to fill a small bowl with equal parts water and white vinegar. White vinegar is a natural cleaning agent that is effective at removing dirt, grime, and mineral deposits. It is also safe to use on the bottom of your iron, and it will help to remove any built-up grime or deposits that may be affecting its performance.
- Fill a small bowl with equal parts water and white vinegar.
- Stir the solution to combine the water and vinegar.
Once you have mixed the water and vinegar together, you can use a soft cloth to scrub the bottom of the iron with the solution. Be sure to clean any holes or steam vents to remove any built-up mineral deposits, as these can affect the performance of your iron. It’s also important to be gentle when cleaning the bottom of your iron, as too much pressure or scrubbing can damage the surface.
Step 3: Place your iron face down in the bowl
To clean the bottom of your iron, the next step is to place the iron face down in the bowl of water and vinegar solution. This will help to loosen any grime or dirt that may be stuck to the bottom of the iron, making it easier to clean.
- Hold the iron by the handle and place it face down in the bowl of water and vinegar solution.
- Gently move the iron back and forth in the solution to help loosen any dirt or grime that may be stuck to the bottom of the iron.
It’s important to be gentle when cleaning the bottom of your iron, as too much pressure or scrubbing can damage the surface. Once you have placed the iron in the solution, you can use a soft cloth to gently scrub the bottom of the iron to remove any built-up grime or mineral deposits. Be sure to clean any holes or steam vents to remove any built-up deposits, as these can affect the performance of your iron.
Step 4: Let it sit for 30 minutes
Once you have placed your iron face down in the water and vinegar solution, the next step is to let it sit for 30 minutes. This will give the solution time to work on loosening any built-up grime or dirt on the bottom of the iron. It’s important to let the iron sit in the solution for at least 30 minutes to ensure that it has time to work effectively.
- Place the iron face down in the bowl of water and vinegar solution.
- Let the iron sit in the solution for at least 30 minutes.
While the iron is sitting in the solution, you can use this time to clean any other parts of the iron, such as the handle or the steam vents. This will help to ensure that your iron is clean and working efficiently. After the iron has sat in the solution for at least 30 minutes, you can proceed to the next step.
Step 5: Wipe away the grime
After the iron has sat in the water and vinegar solution for at least 30 minutes, the next step is to wipe away the grime. To do this, you will need a soft cloth and a damp cloth.
- Use a soft cloth to gently wipe the bottom of the iron to remove any built-up grime or dirt.
- Be sure to clean any holes or steam vents to remove any built-up mineral deposits.
- Once you have removed the grime, use a damp cloth to wipe away any remaining vinegar solution from the bottom of the iron.
It’s important to be gentle when wiping the bottom of your iron, as too much pressure or scrubbing can damage the surface. Once you have removed the grime and wiped away any remaining vinegar solution, you can proceed to the next step.
Step 6: Dry your iron
After you have wiped away the grime and any remaining vinegar solution from the bottom of your iron, the final step is to dry it thoroughly. To do this, you will need a clean towel.
- Use a clean towel to dry the bottom of the iron thoroughly.
- Be sure to dry any holes or steam vents to prevent any water from accumulating in these areas.
- Once the iron is dry, you can plug it back in and use it as usual.
It’s important to dry your iron thoroughly after cleaning it to prevent any water from accumulating in the holes or steam vents. This can cause the iron to malfunction or stop working altogether. Once the iron is dry, you can plug it back in and use it as usual. Regular cleaning will help to keep your iron working efficiently and effectively.
Step 7: Plug in your iron
After you have cleaned and dried your iron, the final step is to plug it back in and use it as usual.
- Locate the plug for your iron and plug it back into the wall outlet.
- Turn on the iron and allow it to heat up to the desired temperature.
- Use your iron as you normally would to smooth out wrinkles in your clothes.
It’s important to clean the bottom of your iron regularly to prevent any built-up grime or mineral deposits from affecting its performance. By following these steps, you can easily and effectively clean the bottom of your iron to keep it working efficiently and effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of water should I use in my iron?
Distilled water is the best type of water to use in your iron as it does not contain any minerals that can build up in the iron and cause discoloration or damage.
How often should I clean my iron?
It is a good idea to clean your iron every few months, or more frequently if you notice any build-up or discoloration on the bottom of the iron.
Can I use other types of vinegar other than white vinegar?
White vinegar is the most commonly recommended type of vinegar for cleaning an iron, but apple cider vinegar can also be used.
Can I use other cleaning solutions to clean the iron?
A mixture of water and lemon juice or baking soda can also be used to clean the bottom of an iron.
How can I prevent mineral build-up in my iron?
To prevent mineral build-up, use distilled water, clean the iron regularly, and keep the iron in an upright position when not in use.
Conclusion
Cleaning the bottom of your iron regularly is an important part of maintaining its performance and efficiency. To clean the bottom of your iron, start by unplugging it and allowing it to cool completely. Once the iron is cool, fill a small bowl with equal parts water and white vinegar. Dip a soft cloth into the solution and use it to gently scrub the bottom of the iron, being sure to clean any holes or steam vents to remove any built-up mineral deposits. When you’re finished, wipe the bottom of the iron with a damp cloth to remove any remaining vinegar solution, then dry it thoroughly with a clean towel. Regular cleaning will help to keep your iron working efficiently and effectively.