Having to dispose of irons this frequently?

[Jessica3075]

I’ve no idea what I’m doing wrong.

I gone through so many irons. Some medium cost, some quite expensive. I never leave the water in the spray container, never let it overheat. I always use the correct advised setting for the item I’m ironing and then, I end up with this sticky mess (see photo) which is impossible to clean off!

This one, I bought in April and here I am again.
Any tips/advice would be greatly appreciated.

There’s loads of stuff online about cleaning irons! What have you tried?

You can rub a Paracetamol tablet over it to get it clean again.

Have you tried vinegar on a warm iron? Or turn it up to the max and then iron a clean paper towel?

Sorry, photo didn’t upload. Try again!

Yes, an ordinary (not coated) paracetamol rubbed on a warm iron will get that off. Mind your fingers, but it works like a charm!

Weird! I'm in my 50s and I've only ever had 2 or 3 irons. Admittedly I don't use them a great deal though . Maybe try one of those magic sponges. They get anything off anything!

I’ve never had this happen?

Though that may be because the iron is used only very rarely.

Yes to a paracetamol on a hot iron. Use tweezers. It comes off really easily.

You can also use a paste of bicarbonate of soda and vinegar.

Or you can buy iron cleaning stuff.

You’ve thrown irons away because of it?

Would love to know how someone discovered that rubbing paracetamol on it was effective!

That is melted fibres on the plate, looks like you've been using it too hot on manmade fibres...

Bar of wet soap. Rub the hot iron against it and it will be smooth again.

I would try ironing everything a bit cooler than you normally do, regardless of the instructions and see if that reduces/prevents it coming back.

Habe tried vinegar. Also, turning up to highest heat. I ended up with bits of paper stuck to it.
soapy water and a stiff brush.
Toothpaste.
Paracetamol???? 🤞

Because my uniform is white and it leaves marks. This iron is just “going”. When the plate is mostly brown, I bin them.

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I iron a lot of stuff. Maybe I shouldn’t bother. Read a good book instead!

I've always used a brillo pad, very gently. Mind you, more modern items might have a different coating to my 15 year old one.

Iron the inside of your white clothing?

Maybe try the Pink Stuff on it? Or nail polish remover and a scraper?

It looks like you are ironing a lot of man made fibres too hot.

I keep one of those Brillo pad looking things only made of plastic with my iron and use regularly. It comes off no problem. People are right - the black is melted clothes.

Use a cooler setting.
John Lewis sell iron cleaning bars.
Please stop throwing away working irons.
Iron inside out to prevent marks.
Traditional steam irons used to last me about 7/8 years.
5 years for a mid range steam gen iron is good going.

Initially, I would use a cloth/ tea towel on the ironing board draped over the edge and heat up the iron. Then run the iron over the cloth down the edge at 45°. The edge of the board provides a slight angle which helps scrape it off onto the cloth.

This is especially handy to clean off the fresh marks. If this doesn't work as they are too burnt on, try the other methods.

You need this Iron cleaning stick
Heat the iron, rub this over the plate, then iron a bit of fabric you’re happy to bin (old tea towel or something is perfect).

Then in future iron things on a lower temperature, or use a pressing cloth (large plain cotton hanky or something similar) between your iron and whatever you’re ironing.

You can get an iron cleaning stick off Amazon.