If you sew or press your clothes a lot then eventually you’ll need to clean your iron. Why? The tap water you use in your steam water reservoir starts to calcify and/or oxidize and you start getting whitish and/or reddish crud in your steam water - and it will leave a giant stain on whatever it is you’re ironing. If you’re like me, first you will cry. Then you will consider replacing your iron. Then you will turn to the internet to figure out what to do.

Turns out all you just need to clean your iron.

First, buy a big bottle of bottom shelf white vinegar, like this one:

Fill your reservoir with it and turn the iron on. Steam the heck out of a fluffy towel or rag until there is no vinegar left in your reservoir. Then do it again or until you feel confident that no more whitish/reddish crud is coming out of your iron. Then flush it with water a few times to get the vinegar smell out. Done!

Note: Open a window because it is going to be FOUL in there while you’re steaming all your vinegar out. I’m pretty sure it isn’t bad for you but it is very unpleasant smelling and feels really weird to inhale. Not recommended.

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