Have you ever been working on a project under deadline and made a huge mistake because you were hurrying? Haven’t we all!?! I was doing some sewing recently and let my iron get too hot. On top of that, I accidentally had my fusible interfacing sticky side up. Not only did I melt the interfacing on to my iron, I managed to melt the fabric too. It shriveled up like burning plastic in a campfire. Luckily, I had plenty of extra fabric and interfacing, but what to do about my iron? I love my iron. I know it is a silly thing, but I think a really good iron is such a wonderful luxury. So to ruin it, not to mention the loss of sewing time, really had me in stitches (I know you caught that little pun there). It “seamed” like I was “knot” going to get done in time (you might as well call me buttah, ’cause I am on a roll), and I was really “torn” about what to do! I did a quick search on Pinterest and found this pin. Gave it a try and voila! My iron was cleaner than before! It was like accidentally taking the wrong exit off the highway and finding out the entrance to get back on was next to the off ramp. Phew! What a relief. Got my project done and a clean iron, too.
All you have to do is put your iron on a low setting. I had to wait for mine to cool off! Put down a towel or other fabric to protect your ironing board from your iron, and possibly your iron from your ironing board if you got sticky stuff all over it. I need a new iron cover now. Next, get a dryer sheet and iron over it until all the sticky stuff is gone. Your iron will have an oily residue that needs to be wiped off with a clean cloth, and you are good to go! This is a great tip from Make It Do.
For other magic cleaning tips that require zero elbow grease try Easy Shower Mold Solution, Cleaning Barbeque Grills the Magic Way or Clean Stove Burner.
This Pin Definitely Rocks!
Today we are linking up with these lovely sites: Lady Behind the Curtain – DIY Craft Projects – Printabelle – Someday Crafts – The Life of Jennifer Dawn – Adorned From Above – 733 Blog – Kitchen Meets Girl – Daisy Cottage Designs – A Bowl Full of Lemons
This is an awesome tip! I don’t iron much so, when I do, I tend to mess up the iron 🙂
LOL! Thanks for coming by Shannah. We love linking up with you.
who would thunk
That’s what I thought! Couldn’t believe it worked so well. Thanks for commenting madgevt
Oh, what a great tip. My iron could definitely use a good cleaning. Thanks for giving this the seal of approval.
Thanks Amy. It is a lifesaver when you iron is sticky. It even took off some of the browning and gunk from spray starch.
Oh wow that’s a great idea. I would never have thought if that.
Me neither. I was so glad it worked. Thanks for coming by.
I was just looking at my iron today. You are a Godsend.
Thanks! So glad you can use this tip. I have used it more than once!
Thank you so much for this; it just saved my iron! I did almost the same as you; placed interfacing sticky side up and it got all over my iron. However, I tried your trick and it worked like a charm! Once again, thank you for sharing this.
Isn’t such a relief when you see it works? I love my iron and would be so sad to have to buy a new one. I am so glad to hear it worked for you!
Uh-oh. We don’t use dryer sheets. Is there an alternate trick to this, besides the obvious: don’t get gunk on my iron?
I don’t use dryer sheets either, Mary. I only have them in my sewing room for ironing emergencies!
This is very nice to know. Will give a try
Thanks Charlotte!
I have been wondering if any one ever tested Pinterest Pins, and sure ’nuff, here you are! Thank you so much!!!!!
You are so welcome, Margo! So glad you found us.
I tried this and it did not work. Iron still has brown sticky stuff on it from interfacing. Will try something else. Got some brown stuff on the dress I am making for a little girl.
Ha! I tried the sprinkling table salt on tin foil shiny side up and iron on top of that. My iron is clean again. The salt is a bit abrasive and rubs the sticky stuff off. Yahoo! I can sew again.
Glad the salt didn’t scratch the iron and it is smooth and sticky free! Congrats!
I quilt and use a lot of starch. My iron is always dirty. This is a great idea and I plan to try it. Much easier and cheaper than the goo you can buy to run iron over. It sticks in the steam vents. More time spent cleaning them out plus it takes several cleanings to get iron really clean.
Thanks so much.
You are so welcome, Judy. Glad this is a tip you can use. It has been a real life saver!
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!! I have had interfacing glue stuck to my iron for a few months and the salt trick was a complete failure. I decided to try one more trick and if it didn’t work I’d have to buy a new iron to complete my Christmas sewing and was dreading that since I have such a limited budget right now. So you saved my homemade Christmas!!
I had an iron with the same problem. So glad Christmas isn’t ruined! Thanks for your kind words Kelly.
I ironed some iron-on name tags to my aging father’s clothes for his stay at his new assisted living facility. The paper slipped away and one of the tags stuck to my iron. What a mess! Your cleaning trick saved my iron! I did have to use the rounded end of a paperclip to scrap off the thickest chunk, but everything else came off like a dream! Thank you so much!!!
You are so welcome! This has been a lifesaver for me as well. Okay, that is exaggerating. It has been an iron saver. Ha!