White vinegar on a soft cloth and rinsed off with plain water is helpful. Vinegar has a natural safe acid in it. Safe for alot of cleaning problems.

JoAnn's sells a tube of iron cleaner...I accidently ironed over some sewing pins with colored plastic heads...what a mess...but now iron is good as new...some times you can find it in the grocery store as well.

Faultless Hot iron cleaner it the name of a good iron cleanner I got mine at a grocery store.
Hugs Lenamae

I have cleaned my iron by ironing over dryer sheets, and also have used wax paper. However, have not had plastic on my iron. H&*

I always reheat my iron and then use a junk bath towel wet it then iron till it is clean, just always move to a new spot as you iron, I let my machine clean itself LOL
You can then wash the towel and use it again LOL

Helen, please let us know what you used - so we know what worked for this.

Baking soda sprinkled on a damp piece of paper towel works well. Then rinse by wiping with a wet paper towel. The baking soda is just abrasive enough to saftly remove anything on your iron. You can do this either hot or cold.

For the last 20 yrs I've been using Hi Speed hot iron cleaner to clean the bottom of my iron.On a wad of cotton fabric squeeze some iron cleaner & wipe over the bottom of the hot iron ,it shifts all sorts of rubbish (depending on whats stuck a second go maybe required ).I even use it to wipe the irons bottom when the iron is not gliding over the fabric easily ( no obvious build up of muck)

Helen, I've always used wax paper. But it sounds to me like a good enough reason for a new iron. hehehe....Terre

Try ironing over a new fabric softener sheet (not the sponge type) Saw this tip a while back and it works a treat :)

Lot's of answers here...let us know what you try. Seems I've heard of the baking soda and vinegar ones before.

Thank you all for all the advice. lol. Could not find my baking soda so bought the iron cleaner AND bought a new iron as well. Now have an iron for embroidery and one for ironing clothes, guess no excuses now.<br /><br />Helen

Hi I use ultra fine steel wool(0000) found at the harware store. I have been using this for years. It does not scratch the sole plate and gets the sticky stuff off. Be careful not to rub too hard if you have a teflon coating otherwise no problem. Suzanne

The Mr. Clean sponges works also. I did the same thing. Our water is so "wonderful" that I buy distilled water to use. But the Mr. Clean sponge cleaned it nicely.

The Mr. Clean sponges works also. I did the same thing. Our water is so "wonderful" that I buy distilled water to use. But the Mr. Clean sponge cleaned it nicely.

Did anyone mention a white candle? They work great at removing residue from the bottom of irons. Heat iron, rub candle over sole plate, wipe with cloth. This will remove anything and I mean anything from your iron's sole plate. Yes, that years of experience talking. Also, for those using distilled water, be careful as it tends to make your iron spit water and leak. Manufacters do not recommend you use distilled water in most irons. Purified water is a better solution.