How is the pencil different from other cleaning products? How to use a pencil to clean your iron? Useful tips for caring for your iron
Many modern irons have a self-cleaning function and a non-stick soleplate, which reduces maintenance to a minimum. But even the most advanced technology is not immune to accidental sticking of plastic or polyethylene. And even without obvious dirt, the iron needs to be cleaned regularly so that it glides well over the fabric. We'll tell you how to properly clean your iron with a special pencil.
What is an iron cleaning pencil?
An iron cleaning pencil is a device that allows you to quickly remove old and stubborn stains on the surface of the device. It is suitable for any coating on the sole of equipment, since it does not contain abrasive substances that can scratch it, and therefore is used for Teflon, aluminum and ceramic coatings. The product weighs approximately 20-30 g, reaching a length of 10 cm, and is packaged in a foil or plastic bag and a cardboard box. Due to the fact that it leaves a mark on the surface, it was called “pencil”.
Scale, plaque, and stains are removed when the product comes into contact with the hot sole of the iron: the pencil gradually melts, thereby affecting the dirt. The influence of high temperature and acid in the composition leads to very rapid dissolution of dirty stains without leaving any traces. For better effect, repeat the procedure a second time.
Reasons for using a pencil may be:
- accidental contact of the heated sole of the iron with polyethylene or plastic;
- the use of low-quality water for steaming, which leaves a strong residue;
- incorrectly selected mode for ironing an unfamiliar type of fabric;
- error in setting the correct temperature.
All these mistakes lead to contamination of the surface of the equipment, which is why it cannot be used.
Operating principle
The cleaner consists of white carbamide (urea), which is part of nitrogen fertilizer and organic acid. The substances are combined in the correct proportion and a cleaner is obtained in the form of a paraffin candle. It can be “dressed” in a soft foil bag or in plastic, similar to a package of dry glue.
Apply the cleaning agent to the heated soleplate of the iron. Urea crystals and acid begin to melt under the influence of temperature, dissolving salts and carbon deposits. The composition does not contain abrasive substances, so there are no marks or scratches left on the surface after cleaning.
The cleansing process is quick. The surface of the sole is simply wiped with a natural cloth, collecting cleaning residues. Almost the substance cleans any surface that can be heated.
Step-by-step cleaning instructions for beginners
The packaging always provides instructions on how to properly use the pencil to clean the iron, but if the packaging was thrown away or torn, then do not worry: the principle of using the pencil is the same for all products of this type.
Choice of product
Already experienced housewives, as a rule, are guided by the “cheap and cheerful” rule. Many products are universal because they can be used on surfaces made of any material: aluminum, Teflon coating, steel or ceramics. In this case, the principle “expensive means high quality” does not apply, because the composition of all pencils is almost the same, as is the method of influence.
Application rules
Before cleaning the iron with a pencil, it is recommended to prepare one (or preferably several) napkins, pieces of old fabric, or a cloth made of natural material. It is also worth opening the windows and doors so that the room is well ventilated and there is no poisoning from chemical fumes.
You can clean the iron with a cleaning pencil in stages as follows:
- Preheat the iron to approximately 140° (this is medium power - two points).
- Then release the pencil from the packaging (if there are several bars in the box, then take only one).
- Place the iron in a vertical position, place a cloth or napkin under it so that the melted product drips onto it and does not damage the ironing board.
- Move the pencil over contaminated areas or completely over the entire sole of the device. Keep the product perpendicular to the sole so as not to burn your fingers: from the high temperature it will begin to melt immediately.
Now carbon deposits, plaque, stains and burnt pieces of clothing will be dissolved by the product. All that remains is to remove all the drips and the iron will be clean.
Cleansing after application
If all stains and other contaminants have been dissolved by a chemical agent, then all that remains is to wipe the surface with an old cloth. You can simply iron it. A melted pencil that has fallen into the holes of the iron must be removed by pressing the steam release button several times.
It is undesirable to delay the process of cleaning the iron from the melted pencil - otherwise you will have to remove not only old stains, but also dried product, and this is very difficult to do over time.
How to clean carbon deposits from an iron at home?
Laundry soap was previously used for these purposes. To remove carbon deposits, the hot sole was rubbed with laundry soap, and then the dirt was removed with a rag, making considerable effort. Another way is salt. It was poured onto a sheet of paper, and then a hot iron was passed over it, pressing it tightly. This option is only suitable for steel soles.
And one of the most common folk methods of dealing with blockages in the steam holes of the iron was considered and is still chosen by many housewives - citric acid. To do this, it is mixed with water and poured into the iron. Then they heat it to maximum temperature, let it cool, then heat it up again and press the “steam” button, citric acid punches holes, eliminating contamination.
Of course, such cleaning methods also exist and are still used by many housewives. But, if you always have an iron pencil at hand, the cleaning process can be made faster and more effective.
The best pencils
The quality and effectiveness of the chosen product will determine the effort spent, time, as well as the ease and ability to remove stains from the device. This section contains the best products, as shown by customer reviews of iron cleaning pencils.
Selena
The Selena iron surface cleaning pencil is distinguished by its gentle removal of dirt from Teflon and metal surfaces. Can be used for other metal appliances that become hot during operation and require cleaning, such as an electric oven. The product does not contain abrasives, but consists of urea and stearic acid.
Production: Russia, GREENFIELD RUS LLC. The weight of the product is 25 grams, and its price is 20 rubles.
"Cinderella"
The “Cinderella” pencil allows you to clean the soleplate of your iron from burnt synthetic fibers, soot, starch and plaque. Suitable for Teflon coatings. The composition contains organic acids and urea 30%. It looks like a white chalk, 10 cm long, 2 cm in diameter and weighing 30 g.
The advantage of using it is the absence of odor and abrasives, economical consumption, affordable price (25 rubles) and cleaning not only the surface of the iron, but also the steam holes.
Snowter
Cleaning your iron from deposits with the Snowter Iron Cleaning Pencil is quite simple because it does not require heating the device. It is enough just to moisten the iron with a damp cloth, and then apply the product until foam appears, leaving it for 10-15 minutes and removing it with a damp sponge.
The weight of the pencil is 35 g. The price is 50 rubles. Russian production, Arka-CNT LLC.
Prym
The Prym cleaning pencil is designed for any type of iron soleplate, removes dirt and deposits, and restores the device's ability to glide. This product requires heating the device to clean the sole, the method of application is the same as for other pencils. The manufacturer warns that when working with it you need to be careful and not inhale the vapors emitted when the product dissolves.
The pencil formula was developed in Germany, and France is the manufacturer. The weight of the product itself is 20 g. The price starts from 300 rubles.
"Typhoon"
The Typhoon iron cleaning pencil is designed for appliances with any surface: aluminum, ceramic, metal-ceramic and stainless steel. The product contains no harmful impurities, therefore it is absolutely safe, but easily removes carbon deposits of starch and fibers, scale, and plaque.
There are no abrasives in it, due to which the sole of the device will not be scratched or deteriorated. It consists of 97% urea - a nitrogen fertilizer. This means that after the block becomes very small and can no longer be used for its intended purpose, it can be buried in the soil in the garden or garden (which will have a positive effect on the planted plants).
One stick is enough for 5-7 cleanings. Its weight is 32 grams, and the price is 120-160 rubles. Production: Russian.
Bon
Bon pencil is an effective tool for cleaning the soleplate of an iron. It removes various contaminants, gently cleans carbon deposits and makes the sole smooth, allowing the device to glide easily over the fabric. It can be used for all types of surfaces. The product is safe and easy to use.
Price: 100 rubles. Manufacturer: Moscow. Weight is 25 grams.
What happens?
Today there are a large number of pencils offered to the market by Russian manufacturers. The most popular are the following: Selena, Typhoon, Greenfield, Cinderella, Sinai, Magic Power and many others.
On average, the length of a pencil is 10 cm, and the shelf life is up to 3 years. More detailed information is indicated on the packaging, which also contains instructions for use. The cost of such a product starts from 22 rubles and can reach up to 500.
It cannot be said that for this product a higher price means higher quality. All products have identical composition; they may differ in fragrance and packaging. However, some pencils can emit a very unpleasant odor when melting; products with a higher price try to amend the composition to avoid a pungent odor when melting.
Some manufacturers, for example, Topperr, produce cleaning kits for irons, which contain not only a pencil, but also an anti-scale agent.
How much does it cost and where is it sold?
An iron cleaning pencil is available at any hardware store. It can be purchased in large household appliance markets (near counters with irons or in the department with household goods), and supermarkets near bleaches and stain removers.
Online stores also have a large selection of pencils for cleaning irons, where the price list shows both low and high prices. However, this purchase will be advisable if the pencil is purchased together with another, larger and more expensive product, since the delivery amount may exceed its cost several times.
Its price starts from about 10-15 rubles and ends at 500 or more rubles. However, all products have approximately the same operating principle, so there is no point in paying for a brand and “special” properties. Even the lowest priced pencil can cope with severe stains.
Adviсe
- set the heating temperature of the iron in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturers of items, which are indicated on the tags or tags;
- always iron items made of silk and other delicate fabrics through moistened gauze, woolen and wool blends through cotton material;
- Only fill the iron reservoir with filtered liquid. Hard water will lead to the formation of mineral deposits on the internal and external parts of the device, which in turn will worsen the sliding properties of the sole and can also contribute to the burning of the fabric being ironed;
- a knife, cleaning abrasive powder, or a metal brush will, of course, do an excellent job of removing carbon deposits from the device, but at the same time they will remove or scratch the non-stick coating along with the contamination.
By adhering to the above tips and rules during ironing, you can prevent the formation of plaque on the sole of the iron and eliminate the need for tedious procedures for cleaning the part from the burnt part.
If a carbon stain does appear on the ironing element, use special preparations or improvised means to remove it.
What to do if you get burned by a pencil to clean your iron
Working with an iron involves the risk of getting burned. Therefore, it is important to be careful with it and follow safety precautions. You should be no less careful when cleaning the device from scale and burnt marks with specific cleaning agents. When working with a pencil, you must wear gloves: the chemical product generally has a negative effect on the skin of your hands, and in addition there is a risk of the melted product getting on the skin area.
If, nevertheless, a burn is received, then action should be taken depending on the degree of damage (if there are symptoms of a second-degree burn, then urgent medical attention is needed).
The peculiarity of a melted pencil is that, once it gets on the skin or other surface, it quickly hardens. Therefore, in order to prevent severe damage to the skin, the frozen drop should be quickly removed. Then the burned area should be placed under cold water for 15 minutes and at the end use any healing preparation: ointment, spray. For example, Panthenol, Bepanten, Levomekol relieve pain and reduce burns well.
An important element of the iron is its sole, which must be in good condition, smooth and clean, so it is necessary to regularly clean the coating from stains. If you use the iron cleaning pencil correctly, follow the instructions for use and precautions, you can get an effective and budget-friendly product.
