The Simplest Hack To Fix A Burned Iron Is In Your Medicine Cabinet

Imagine pressing a crisp white shirt for an important event when suddenly, you smell an unpleasant odor and see an unsightly burn mark on your nice, clean garment. Perhaps your heat setting was too high, or you got distracted for a moment — but now your trusty appliance is marked by blackened residue that could lead to ruined clothing if you keep using it. It happens to the best of us, but you may be stumped as to how you should approach this problem, especially since there are several easy ways to clean an iron.

Take a peek inside your medicine cabinet before trying any of those other methods. Using Tylenol — the white and uncoated tablet variety — on your scorched iron plate might be the key to rescuing it. This clever hack not only restores your iron but also works quickly and inexpensively. The secret lies in the chemistry of acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, which has unique properties that make it effective at lifting tough residue. (Acetaminophen is referred to as paracetamol in most countries outside the United States; these two names refer to the same compound.) If you've had a tough time getting your appliance clean in the past, then it could very well be that this simple hack is how you should be cleaning your iron.

How to use Tylenol to clean your iron's burn marks

Tylenol works surprisingly well for cleaning a burned iron because of how acetaminophen reacts to heat. When exposed to high temperatures, acetaminophen softens, melts, and sticks to the burnt stains on the iron plate. This melting action helps break down stubborn deposits and makes them easier to remove. Tylenol is gentle on the iron and won't damage the nonstick coating or metal surface. The melted acetaminophen slightly dissolves the gunk, allowing you to wipe it away without using harsh chemicals that could corrode the iron.

Be sure you have your iron turned on and heated up for this hack. Grab a piece of Tylenol using a set of tweezers and gently press it against the affected area of the iron's plate until it melts. This will soften and loosen the residue. Repeat this process as necessary until the surface is spotless. To avoid streaks or watermarks, you might want to allow the iron to cool completely before wiping it dry.

Other hacks for cleaning your burnt iron with household items

There are other items in your medicine cabinet or kitchen drawers that can also save your burnt iron. One simple and effective method utilizes a paste of two parts baking soda and one part water. Just let the paste sit for a few minutes on a cold iron before gently scrubbing it with a soft cloth or even an old toothbrush. Baking soda's mild abrasiveness helps lift the residue without scratching the iron's surface, while its alkaline properties neutralize stubborn grime.

You can also use vinegar, a versatile cleaning tool, to clean a burnt iron. Just heat equal amounts of vinegar and salt in a pan, taking care not to let it boil. Then, rub the mixture onto the iron's plate with a soft cloth. This works because the vinegar's acidity breaks down the burnt residue while the salt gently scrubs it away. These simple and readily available ingredients work wonders for tackling tough stains without the need for specialized cleaners, so don't overlook the everyday items within arm's reach the next time you're faced with a scorched iron.

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