Reva asked: How do I clean a carpet-stained iron plate? My iron box accidentally fell on the carpet, and the carpet fibers got stock onto the iron plate. I tried getting rid of the stain by scrubbing it, but it is stuck really hard on the iron. Do I have to purchase a new iron? Please help.
Remove 
melted or burned on fabrics or synthetics from your iron with this quick fix. It may cause a bit of smoking, but the result will have your iron looking like new again!
The Iron Cleaner Method
If you have iron cleaner available or if this is a product you’d be interested in buying, then here is the method to use it for removing melted carpet or fabric.
You Will Need:
- Faultless Hot Iron Cleaner
- Old cloth (large and/or thick)
- Oven mitt
Steps to Remove the Burned-on Gunk:
- Start by removing any water from your iron if you have a steam setting.
- Heat the iron to the hottest temperature setting.
- Squirt the iron cleaner onto the cloth. You want the cloth to be moist, but not soaking.
- Protect your hands by wearing an oven mitt or thick, heat resistant glove.
- Make sure the cloth is folded and/or thick enough to protect your hand from the heat, then rub the iron cleaner directly onto the hot iron plate. It will take the stain right off.
- Repeat if necessary until all of the burnt-on material is removed.
The Baking Soda Method
If you are looking for a home remedy to this problem, the this is the method for you.
You Will Need:
- A wood scraper
- Baking soda
- Water
- A cloth
Steps to Remove the Burned-on Gunk:
- Ventilate the area well or go outside.
- Put the iron on its lowest setting.
- Let the iron warm the gunk to soften it, then scrape off as much as possible with a wooden scraper. It is important to use wood because a plastic scraper would melt and a metal one could scratch the plate.
- Once you have removed as much as possible, turn off the iron and unplug it.
- Mix baking soda with a small amount of water to make a paste. It should be about the consistency of toothpaste.
- Wait for the iron’s plate to cool, then rub the paste over the remaining residue on the irons plate until it is gone. Rotate the cloth to a clean area as the melted residue is transferred to it.
- If necessary, steel wool can be used.
- Rinse the plate to remove the baking soda.
Additional Tips and Advice
- Once you have cleaned the iron, you can move on to tackling the iron burn on the carpet. Use our guide How to Remove Iron Burns from Carpet.
- Read all iron cleaner package directions carefully before use.
- The Faultless Hot Iron Cleaner may cause smoking. This is normal.
Sources
- Clean It Fast, Clean It Right by Jeff Bredenberg
- The Cleaning Encyclopedia by Don Aslett
My son dropped the iron on the carpet, then carried on ironing his jumper sweatshirt material and all he has is an iron print where the carpet has come off of the iron. Can any one email me with a brilliant idea on how to remove the carpet from the jumper?
Stella,
This article might help: How to Remove Melted Nylon from Cotton. (Most carpets are nylon.) If not, you can also try using some tips from the article How to Remove Burn Marks from Clothing.
I didn’t like this idea; didn’t sound right!
I tried nail polish remover on a cotton cloth; didn’t work.
Then poured nail polish remover onto a scouring pad and it worked instantly, easy, without harsh scrubbing, in one go!!!