Mom insists on ironing ALL her clothes, even those clothes that don't need ironing. It's what she's used to so we just monitor her ironing until she's done.
Because of her forgetfulness, we've seen how the ironing board cover is getting brown from burn marks.
The iron itself was also caked with black gunk. I tried to wipe it off, but it was impossible. I looked up methods to clean the iron and found various ways it could be done.
One seemed to be easy since I had vinegar. It said I should soak vinegar on a towel and then place the iron on top for 30 minutes and wipe of the gunk.
It did NOT do a dang thing!!! Absolutely nothing came off.
Then I saw this solution.
Unfortunately, I didn't have Tylenol. I thought I did, but nope.
There was no Tylenol, so we had to go out and buy a bottle.
It produced a lot of fumes so I opened the windows and put on a mask just in case. But this time, something was happening. The black gunk began to melt off with the Tylenol. Apparently the chemical in the pill is Paracetamol which is another name for Acetaminophen.
Art was using a needle nose plyer to hold the caplet so he wouldn't get burned, but I just held one end of the pill and rubbed it against the black junk.
There was still some black residue on the iron and I'd read that baking soda and water could work so I mixed a batch of it.
Ah well, I decided to clean the sink drain with it.
Did you heat the iron a little Kay or clean it cold. After reading your Paracetamol tip I’m hopeful it will work on my iron
ReplyDeleteKay of Musings: Good morning, Cathy. Look at the photo insert that says What Pill Cleans Irons? It has the directions and says you have to turn the iron on to the highest setting.
DeleteYears ago I threw away my iron because it was gunky. Wish I'd known about this trick! Thanks, Kay.
ReplyDeleteI use a lot of baking soda and water paste to clean things but have never heard of the paracetamol trick. It makes me wonder how it chemically attaches the black gunk.
ReplyDeleteattacks not attaches
DeleteWhere was the black gunk from? Her clothes?
ReplyDeleteKay of Musings: I understand there’s a lot of things that can cause it over time. Using too hot an iron can do it which she often does. (She’s left burn marks on the ironing board.) Spray starch over time accumulates. She has also occasionally used candle wax between some material (on which she rubs the iron) to get the iron to glide easier on material. I’ve tried to convince her not to do that, but she insists she needs it.
DeleteKay of Musings: And yes. She is old school and irons EVERYTHING, whether it needs it or not.
DeleteBaking soda sounds safer
ReplyDeleteTylenol!? The things I learn from you, dear Kay.
ReplyDeleteApplause 👏🏽
ReplyDeleteI can't remember the last time an iron was used around here. I would think most places are the same. Anyway, good on your Mom for looking after her clothes very well.
ReplyDeletethere sure are a lot of hacks but i have the best solution of all, don't iron. i don't even own one. but i know that is not realistic for those who love to/need to iron!!
ReplyDeleteI think I have some sort of a fiber product that I bought at the sewing machine shop where I took classes a quite a while back I haven't used it for a while but it worked.
ReplyDeleteI use my iron a lot when I am sewing.
That's fascinating about tylenol; I would never have thought of that. I wonder who came up with the idea. Someone desperate perhaps? I hate ironing but my mom used to find it soothing. I was so terrible at it that I was only allowed to iron the pillowcases.
ReplyDeleteMy Mom started us out ironing our Dad's hankies while she did his shirts. By the time I had a house and family permanent press had arrived and I ironed only when I sewed. Still have my iron, no idea when it was last used. :-)
ReplyDeleteHello Kay - You mom’s love of ironing made me smile. My late mom used her hands to avoid wrinkles. She would pat each piece of laundry before hanging and smooth out wrinkles from laundry after taking in. I’ve taken over that way though once in a while I have to roll up my sleeves to tackle with the work of ironing. I’m happy for you with the result, the clean iron and the sink drain. Thank you for your time on my past posts.
ReplyDeleteYoko
Sounds like the iron had a headache? ooooo, I just had to say that. I presume you have an iron that automatically turns off after a while? Those help with a safety factor. My nurse neighbor used to have me go check at her house to see if she'd left her iron on from ironing her scrubs. She eventually got one that turns off after inactivity. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteThat's a wonderful idea, BUT unfortunately mom can't handle anything new. I did buy another iron last year when I saw the gunk on this one. However, then I realized that she would be upset if I gave her a different iron. It's hard.
DeleteHmmmm. The iron might quit working sometime. I dropped one on a concrete floor, twice. The second time killed it. My new one had a dial and water window that was hard to see, so I used a marker to note where to place the dial. Marking the settings might help your Mom is she gets a new one for Mother's Day? Now I don't iron so much, but I used to iron my scrubs. I just hang the tops right after drying now.
DeleteFunny story: My parents had a beautiful lady named Myrtle who came to their house for ironing and light housekeeping twice a week. She was part of our family (like the maid in "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner.) She'd been with us since I was 11 years old. As she got older and became a legend in my family, the phrase "Myrtle isn't here" was a friendly command to clean up your mess. When she had no chores to do, she'd make up unnecessary ones just to hang out. My oldest nephew was visiting, and my young son was watching Carl pack. Eric imitated him in many ways, even changing from wearing 8-year-old briefs to boxers. Myrtle even ironed Carl's boxers! At least she didn't use starch. I told Eric to never except that. So, I hope your Mom isn't ironing her undies / skivvies. Linda in Kansas
Kay of Musings: I’ve marked the iron for mom, buuuut…. She forgets. She’s on memantine now which is supposed to slow the progression of dementia… but it’s still worsening. And no… she doesn’t iron undies, just her blouses and pants (which don’t really need to be ironed).
DeleteYou are always ingenious in your life challenges!! I have not used an iron in at least a year!
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of Tylenol to clean an iron and was going to try it as we have lots of Tylenol since it is the only meds I take (for headaches). But when I went to check my iron (I do iron some things - linens mostly as they wrinkle quickly), my iron was perfectly fine - no gunk! But then I decided to check my sink drains and used your baking soda paste - that did work! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI actually don't own an iron I just use the dryer
ReplyDeleteOkay. This is amazing! I never would have thought of such a trick!
ReplyDeleteYou find fun projects! I enjoy your DIY stuff!
ReplyDelete