🧼 How to Clean a Steam Iron at Home Using Common Household Items
Your steam iron works hard to keep your clothes crisp and professional-looking — but over time, mineral deposits, burnt fabric, and residue from tap water or starch can build up inside and on the soleplate, reducing performance and even staining your clothes.
The good news? You can easily clean your steam iron using common household materials that are readily available in South Africa — no expensive products required!
OG Electrical Services has written this blog post to show you just how.
🔍 Why It’s Important to Clean Your Steam Iron
A dirty iron can cause:
- Brown or white spots on clothes
- Poor steam flow
- A sticky or scorched soleplate
- Shortened lifespan of the appliance
Regular cleaning ensures smooth gliding, consistent steam, and longer life for your iron.
🧴 What You’ll Need (All Readily Available in SA)
You can find all these items in most South African homes or at your nearest supermarket:
- White vinegar (e.g. Jik White Vinegar, Golden Cloud White Vinegar)
- Bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) – commonly sold as baking soda or bicarb
- Table salt
- Dishwashing liquid (e.g. Sunlight Liquid, Handy Andy, etc.)
- Cotton cloth or old towel
- Earbuds or cotton swabs
- Plastic or wooden stick (for scraping gently if needed)
- Distilled water (optional but ideal for regular use)
🧽 Step-by-Step: How to Clean Your Steam Iron
1️⃣ Clean the Soleplate (The Iron’s Base)
For light dirt or sticky residue:
- Mix a small amount of bicarbonate of soda with water to form a thick paste.
- Apply it gently to the soleplate using a soft cloth.
- Wipe clean with a damp cloth and dry with a towel.
For burnt-on residue:
- Place a piece of newspaper or an old towel on your ironing board.
- Sprinkle table salt over it.
- Heat the iron to medium and iron over the salt — the rough texture helps lift the burnt marks.
- Wipe the plate with a damp cloth afterward.
2️⃣ Clean the Steam Vents
- Dip cotton swabs in a mixture of vinegar and water (1:1).
- Gently clean the steam holes on the soleplate.
- Use a toothpick or wooden skewer (not metal) if any holes are blocked.
3️⃣ Clean the Inside (Descale the Water Tank)
- Fill the iron’s water tank with a vinegar and water mix (1 part vinegar to 1 part water).
- Turn the iron on to the highest steam setting and let it steam for 5–10 minutes.
- Empty the tank and refill with clean water, then steam again to flush out any remaining vinegar smell.
💡 Tip: If your area has hard water (common in Gauteng and Cape Town), try using distilled water for your iron to reduce limescale build-up.
4️⃣ Wipe and Store
Once clean, wipe down the entire iron with a damp cloth, dry it thoroughly, and store it upright to prevent leaks.
🌿 Eco-Friendly & Cost-Effective Cleaning
Using simple ingredients like vinegar, salt, and bicarbonate of soda is not only safe for your iron but also eco-friendly and affordable — perfect for any South African household.
⚡ Final Tip from OG Electrical Services
Always unplug your iron before cleaning, and never submerge it in water.
With regular maintenance — once every month or two — your iron will stay in top condition, saving you from costly repairs or replacements.
OG Electrical Services is a Domestic and Commercial Electrical services company that specialises in Appliance Installation, Maintenance and Repairs, including general electrical repair work. We install, fix and service all brands and types of electrical appliances.
Contact us on +27 73 378 6966 and email info@ogelectrical.co.za
Read more about our Home Appliance Repair services on the following link https://www.ogelectrical.co.za/home-appliance-repairs/