The iron is one of those appliances that we take for granted until they start to get angry. All it takes is a few burnt spots and instead of a smooth shirt you have an extra stain. Few people know that you don’t need expensive products from the drugstore to clean the ironing surface. An ordinary thing that everyone has at home will do.
A dirty iron can spoil the mood faster than . Burns, dark maps, and sticky surfaces appear inconspicuously and often only when you’re in a hurry. Few people feel like buying special cleaning products that cost money and don’t always work. You probably have the solution at home, right in the bathroom.
For a video from Cleaning Solution on how to clean the surface of an iron with toothpaste, check out YouTube:
Why does the iron actually get dirty?
This is most often caused by residues of starch, fabric softener or which are baked on the ironing surface at a high temperature. Over time, a dark coating forms, which not only does not look nice, but can ruin clothes. If you don’t clean your iron regularly, the problem will gradually get worse.
Toothpaste as a surprising helper
White toothpaste without gel additives works as a gentle abrasive. It can remove burns and deposits without scratching the surface of the iron. That is why it is also used by people who try to clean the household gently and without unnecessary chemicals.
“When the iron is dirty from burns, you don’t need to immediately reach for chemicals. Ordinary white toothpaste works as a gentle cleaner and can smooth the surface beautifully without damaging it,” says professional cleaner Nasťa from Prague.
How to clean an iron step by step
First, make sure the iron is turned off, cool and unplugged. Apply a small amount of white toothpaste to a soft cloth or sponge and gently rub it over the soiled ironing surface. Focus mainly on dark spots and burns, but do not apply force. After a few minutes, take a clean, slightly damp cloth and carefully wipe off the paste. Finally, dry the iron and heat it briefly to evaporate the remaining moisture.
If the iron has steam holes, make sure that the paste does not get into them. If necessary, they can be gently cleaned with a cotton swab moistened with water.
What to be most careful about
Use only classic white toothpaste without abrasive microparticles, whiteners or gel. These could damage the surface. Also avoid rough sponges and metal brushes, which will permanently scratch the iron.
A little extra trick to keep it clean longer
After cleaning, it is a good idea to iron an old cotton cloth or towel without steam. This will smooth the surface beautifully and remove even the last remnants of dirt. If you iron often, just repeat this simple procedure once every few weeks and your iron will look like new.
Sometimes it really is true that we have the most effective tricks at home. Toothpaste, which is normally used for tooth care, will thus also find its place in cleaning. And a clean iron means not only nicer clothes, but also a calmer household without unnecessary stress.
