How to Get a Scorched Iron Soleplate Looking New AgainDark, sticky marks on an iron’s soleplate are usually just built-up residue from fabric fibers, starch, and hard water minerals scorching onto the metal each time it heats up. The fix doesn’t require a new iron — a couple of bathroom staples handle it well.
The good news is that a stained iron doesn’t necessarily need to be replaced.
In many cases, those dark, sticky marks are simply residue that has accumulated and scorched onto the soleplate. Fabric fibers, starch, detergent, and mineral deposits from water can build up over time. Once the hot soleplate passes over them repeatedly, the residue becomes harder and harder to remove.
Before reaching for an abrasive cleaner or buying a new iron, there are a few simple household cleaning methods worth trying.