Expert's simple £1.25 iron cleaning hack also helps combat condensation

04 February 2024 , 12:35

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This handy tip has multiple benefits (stock image) (Image: Getty Images)

Burnt irons are one of the more frustrating household objects to clean, but it's a chore that you absolutely shouldn't put off if you want to keep your clothes lovely and clean.

As many of us will have found out the hard way, smoothing out the crease in your tops with a burnt iron may well end up in disaster - not to mention another load of laundry to get through. Although it's not immediately obvious how your iron should be cleaned, this task will save you time in the long run, and couldn't be any easier once you get the hang of it.

Best of all, one thrifty £1.25 hack recommended by an expert could help you tackle condensation, saving you plenty of future headaches.

As previously reported by The Sun, Andrea Phillips of the Airtasker Blog said: "The top signs that your iron is overdue a clean include if the iron is dragging instead of gliding when you are ironing your clothes, and you start noticing sticky stains on the fabric you just ironed."

Offering some suggestions on how to scrub your iron, Andrea advised that a sprinkle of salt - a natural abrasive when it comes to banishing lingering grime - could be highly effective. All you need to do is sprinkle a fair helping onto a sheet of paper, before running over it with your warm iron until the pesky burn marks vanish. Once you're happy with the result, simply wipe away any salt using a dry cloth.

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This will stop any muck spreading to your clothes, and should increase the lifespan of your iron. Furthermore, this particular technique doubles up as an effective condensation buster.

In an interview with Homes & Gardens, homecare expert Barry Gray explained that salt can 'pull moisture out of the air, making rooms drier', while can in turn 'help to prevent mould growth and other harmful conditions in enclosed spaces like homes or offices'. Barry shared: "Salt has absorption properties, which means that it can bind to moisture and prevent it from developing condensation. This is why salt is often used in the kitchen to stop water droplets from forming on dishes or silverware."

If your iron is looking a little worse for wear, you can pick up a 350g tub of Saxa Fine Sea Salt from Tesco for just £1.25.

Julia Banim