What is the best way to clean the surface of an iron without scratching it?

Question

It has a build up of what seems to be remnants of scorched on clothing! I have tried rubbing with soap and water and nothing works.

Answer 1

There are a number of commercially made products that can help with this. I'm currently using one made by Rowenta. The cleaning kit comes with a tube containing a compound. You squeeze out a one inch line of it unto a designated terry cloth towel. Take your completely dry iron and turn up the heat to cotton or wool. Run the heated iron over the compound and watch the junk come off your iron onto the surface of the towel. It seemingly works like magic.
Good luck.

Answer 2

Brown Bauxite Emery Cloth - Primarily for use on steel. Abrasive will last a long time since it does not clog quickly or wear away. Offered in grit values of 500, 400, 320, 240, and 150. Grit 320 polishes well without scratching too deeply, and at the same time does considerable cutting. Sheet size 9" X 11". Sold individually or by the dozen.
EP1-39 Brown Bauxite Emery Cloth, Grit 500
EP1-40 Brown Bauxite Emery Cloth, Grit 400
EP1-41 Brown Bauxite Emery Cloth, Grit 320
EP1-42 Brown Bauxite Emery Cloth, Grit 240

Answer 3

Heat your iron a bit (only a couple of seconds) and with a good kitchen towel, rub some vinegar on it, leave it for a while, then with a clean towel wipe it off. After that, bring an old face towel that you don't want and iron it, some bits would appear on that towel, but your iron will be as good as new!

Answer 4

I was looking in one of my many reference books and found the following:

Clean coated (nonstick) sole plates with a warm cloth and detergent. Do not use abrasives. Clean uncoated sole plates with metal polish, baking soda, or extrafine steel wool. If steam vents are clogged, use a cotton swab and warm soapy water, or water and vinegar. Remove melted plastic from the sole plate by ironing a piece of aluminum foil sprinkled with salt.

Answer 5

cut a lemon in half
sprinkle lots of salt on lemon half

then rub over surface of iron

Answer 6

A vinegar and salt rub should do the trick. Just be sure to rinse it off.

Answer 7

Black & Decker sells a product for this just can't remember the name works great

Answer 8

YOU CAN BUY A CLEANER FOR BURNS ON THE IRON, YOU WILL FIND IT IN MOST HARDWARE SHOPS.SORRY CAN'T REMEMBER THE NAME OF IT. BUT JUST ASK THEM IN THE SHOP.

Answer 9

use oven cleaner but make sure you wear gloves and rinse it off well before you use your iron again :)