How to Remove Residue From a Steam Iron

Steam irons often get a build-up of residue on the ironing surface. This is usually a build-up of starch, or the result of a synthetic fabric that was ironed with too high of a temperature. If your steam iron has a sticky residue that is attaching to your clothes and making a gunky mess, you can remove it within minutes.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Ironing board
• Large towel
• Wax paper
• Hand towel

1. Open the ironing board. If you have sensitive eyes or lungs, do this near an open window, in case the smoke irritates you.

2. Drape a dry towel over the ironing board. Cover as much of the the ironing board as you can. This will protect your ironing board from getting stained with wax and residue.

3. Turn on the iron to the cotton setting. On most irons, this is the highest heat. Turn off the steam setting, so that the iron is heating up without steam.

4. Cut a strip of wax paper about 12-inches-long. Lay the wax paper on top of the dry towel.

5. Place the iron on top of the wax paper, moving it back and forth for about 10 seconds. The wax helps to melt and loosen the residue. When the 10 seconds is up, lift the iron and remove the wax paper.

6. Lay a very damp hand towel on the other end of the ironing board, and run the hot iron over it. This combination of wet and texture will remove the loosened residue from the iron. Continue doing this until no more residue is coming off onto the damp towel.

7. Cut another strip of wax paper, and repeat the process again. Iron over the wax paper, then the damp towel, over and over, until all of the residue has been removed, and the iron is completely clean and shiny.

Tips & Warnings

• Immediately wash the now-dirty towels in hot water, with a load of towels, so that the stains don't set.