How to Clean Steam Irons and Granite • Everyday Cheapskate

These days it’s nearly certain that there’s a pricey product available to clean just about anything. But why spend the money when you can make your own homemade products that perform just as well from ingredients you may have already in your cupboards and pantry? I’m talking cheaper, faster, and quite possibly better!

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What is the best and most effective way to clean a steam iron?

You need to clean both the inside and the sole plate of a steam iron regularly to keep it in tip-top condition. Before you proceed with my cleaning suggestions, make sure you read the owner manual that came with your iron to make sure there are no instructions or cautions that might preclude the following.

Inside

To remove build-up from the inside of the iron, which over time can really clog things up, pour equal amounts of white vinegar and water into the iron’s water chamber up to the maximum fill line. Turn the iron on to “steam” setting and iron a soft clean cloth to clean out the steam ports.

Depending on how clogged up the iron is, it make take several attempts for the steam to bust through. It’s the vinegar that will break down all of that hard-water scale and buildup inside the iron.

Refill the iron with the vinegar and water mixture if needed and then leave the iron on and in an upright position for 10 minutes or so. Do not leave it unattended.

Next, unplug the iron and take it to the sink. Shake it to loosen the mineral build-up inside and then turn it upside down over the sink so the vinegar and water can pour out. You are likely to see flakes and chunks of gunk come out with the liquid. Repeat this process until only clear liquid comes out of the iron into the sink.

Rinse with clear water several times to remove all traces of vinegar.

Sole plate

This is the flat surface of the iron that has the tiny holes where the steam comes out—the part that gets hot! There are numerous ways to clean the scorched ugly brown build up of various stains from melted-on fabric to spray starch from the sole plate of a steam iron, but most are pretty messy.

A paste made of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda applied to a cold sole while the iron is unplugged, followed by vigorous scrubbing with a rag will do the trick, but you’ll be left with a wet soggy mess and steam holes that are hopelessly clogged with the paste. I’ve been there, done that and found it to be very frustrating.

My favorite way to clean the bottom of the iron is with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (or the generic melamine version which is cheaper in bulk). Make sure the magic eraser is wet then rub the cold sole plate until it comes clean. No mess, no residue and no clogged steam holes. It really is like magic.

What is the best way to clean hard water stains from my granite counter tops—especially around the sink—and then keep the granite clean and shiny?

Granite is tricky, that’s for sure. But once you understand a few things, you’ll have no trouble keeping your countertops beautifully shiny and free of streaks and water stains.

The enemy of granite is anything acidic. That eliminates cleaning with vinegar and or lemon juice. Acid can damage the stone’s sealant and even permanently “etch” granite over time.

Granite countertops, because they must be sealed (and resealed annually with a good sealant available at any home improvement store or online), should not be cleaned with cleaners, like Windex, that contains ammonia. Ammonia strips away the sealant.

You already know that water is not great for granite because it can leave water marks and a build up of minerals around the sink fixtures.

So what’s left? Alcohol. You can buy commercial granite cleaners that contain some type of alcohol and a lot of water, or you can make your own granite cleaner for just pennies.

Granite Cleaner

Pour 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol (vodka, or gin are good substitutes) into a 16-oz. spray bottle. Add 3 drops blue Dawn dishwashing liquid and 5 to 10 drops essential oil (optional, but makes it smell great). Add enough water to fill the bottle. Label and keep out of reach of children. Shake to mix. From now on, use this cleaner to remove water marks and to keep your countertops beautifully clean and shiny without wrecking the sealant or causing any harm to the granite.

First published: 7-18-17; Updated 1-30-20

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Katie French says:

February 2, 2020 at 12:02 pm

Mary, Do you have any tips on products to use for sealing granite countertops? I understand that they need it at least once a year. Thanks

Mary Hunt says:
February 2, 2020 at 4:30 pm

You are right. Granite must be sealed properly at least once each year. You can do this yourself with sealant you can buy at any home improvement store or online. I recommend 511 Impregnator Penetrating Sealer, currently on sale at Amazon.

Lynda Ruiz says:

January 31, 2020 at 12:40 pm

I have black granite countertops. Right around the handle to turn the water on & off there is a white build up I have not been able to get off. I already use your formula above for daily cleaning/sanitizing, but it won’t work around the faucet. Any suggestions?

Angela L says:
December 26, 2021 at 12:22 pm

I too have this problem and wondered if stronger/ more alcohol would work. I don’t want to mar the granite.