Let’s talk about the handiest, most indispensable home appliance: the iron. It’s that thing you dread using but can’t live without, the love-hate relationship of the domestic world. Just as you think life’s all smooth while gliding it over your clothes, BAM! You notice that nasty buildup on the soleplate, mocking you. Ironing isn’t just ironing; it’s a battlefield, and your iron is your weapon. So, it’s time to give it the TLC it sorely deserves.

You might be blissfully ignorant, but your iron’s soleplate is under attack. I’m talking about encrustations, limescale, and ghastly stains that can turn a crisp shirt into a blotchy mess. The sad bit? If you don’t clean your iron every month, it starts throwing temper tantrums by transferring all its grime onto your lovely clothes. And nobody wants that.

A Salt Trick Saviors

Thank goodness for salt! Yes, that humble condiment that lives in your kitchen can work wonders for your iron, turning it from a crusty villain into a shiny hero. Here’s how you do it:

Step 1: Focus on the Soleplate and Holes

The real nightmare when cleaning an iron is the soleplate and those pesky holes that get clogged with limescale. The steel plate tends to blacken over the years and even contact with clothing can exacerbate this.

Baking Paper Backup

If salt alone doesn’t cut it, bring in the reinforcements: baking paper.

Erasing Stubborn Stains

Is there anything more soul-crushing than stubborn stains on your iron? Probably, but these stains are up there. They form due to various reasons, some of which may involve your own horrific negligence.

Here’s the magic recipe:

Mix one tablespoon of fine salt with a few drops of hot water to form a thick, gooey gel. Spread this sticky concoction on a soft sponge and rub it all over the stained areas. Once the battle is over, rinse with plenty of hot water and pat dry, leaving no witness to the struggle that just took place.