"The Ranger" wrote in message
...
On May 22, 11:00 am, "JoeSpareBedroom"
suggested:
Get yourself an iron cleaning kit:
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?
order_num=-1&SKU=11291139

Works fast. Rowenta, the mfr, also makes irons, so the product can be
trusted not to hurt the iron. Removes all sorts of crap placed on the iron
by mindless chicks.

Update:

I purchased the above-linked product from BB&B and gave it a try.
Aside from the acrid stench that found every nook and cranny in my
house while using the product, even with the windows open, the product
worked like a charm. Two thumbs way up. The iron is still performing
like the workhorse is always was (minus the annoying gunk) and I have
a product that I hope will have a shelf-life for eternity.

Thanks for the information.

The Ranger

===============

The gunk can also come from detergent residue in the fabric. A former
girlfriend unit thought it was economical to overload the washing machine,
and use cold water & powdered detergent. Cold water in winter can be TOO
cold for detergent to work properly or rinse out thoroughly. (This is
mentioned in the user manuals for many washing machines). After laundering,
her clothing smelled pretty much like a box of Tide powder. The residue
wreaked havoc with the iron.