These methods are not suitable for Teflon soles.
Salt
Place a thick sheet of paper on a smooth surface. For your convenience it is better to lay several sheets at once. Then take regular salt and sprinkle it on paper a little. Heat the iron to maximum temperature and begin to “smooth” the grains of salt. Under the influence of temperature, the salt heats up and enters into a chemical reaction with carbon deposits on the sole of the iron. Drive the iron over the salt until all the carbon deposits are gone.
Easy cleaning
If the sole of your iron is not very dirty, then use this method. The iron itself does not need to be heated, but you just need to sprinkle it with salt, precisely in those places where there is carbon deposits. And then with a damp, rough and dense cloth, rub the dirty places.
Methods for Teflon and other types of iron soles
Candle
Take a piece of dense fabric and wrap a small paraffin candle in it. Heat the iron and rotate it so that the hot paraffin does not block the steam outlet. Wipe the sole of the iron in this way until the carbon deposits come off. After that, wipe the iron with a dry rag, removing the remaining paraffin.
Vinegar
If the carbon deposits on the iron are very strong, then mix 1 teaspoon with 1 teaspoon of ammonia. To clean in this way you need a cold iron. Moisten a piece of coarse cloth in the liquid and wipe the iron sole with force. If this option does not help, then soak gauze in vinegar and place an iron on it for the night. In the morning, wipe the surface with a damp cloth, and then dry.
Soda
Add a couple tablespoons of baking soda to warm water. Stir the water well so that the soda dissolves a little. Then, dampen a piece of cotton cloth in the solution and start wiping the sole of the iron. The iron should be cold, so cleaning will be more efficient.
Acetone
Nail polish remover is used only in rare cases when, for example, a piece of polyethylene or synthetic fabric adheres to the sole of the iron. In this case, do not heat the iron, but simply wipe the desired place with a cotton swab dipped in acetone.
Lemon acid
Another effective tool that will help you quickly clean the sole of the iron from carbon deposits. Dissolve a bag of citric acid in warm water and soak a cotton swab in it. Heat the iron well and wipe the sole until carbon deposits come off. Hard-to-reach spots can be wiped with cotton swabs.
