Trouble cleaning Sunbeam iron 3983

laundry.manualsonline.com has free manual.

To clean the base (soleplate) first, make sure your iron is completely cool before cleaning.
There are a number of things to remove various stains. For general stains rub the bottom of the iron with table salt and a soft damp cloth. For marks left by limescale (a powderey white) use undiluted white vinegar on a soft cloth. Some stubborn stains can be removed with a paste made from baking soda and water. What ever you use make sure you rinse and wipe the soleplate dry before using again. Never under any circumstances use a metal scouring pad or wire wool type cleaner, this will scratch, mark, and probably damage the soleplate beyond repair.

there is an iron sole plate cleaner on the market
the stain is electrolysis from using other that de-ionized or distilled water

Hi, Brown water and whitescale are often the result of the water you use in the iron... If you have scale, white vinegar will clean that... For brown water, empty the iron, rinse out the insides with bottled water, and then use the bottled water instead...

Also check out this tip...

Cleaninga Steam Iron White Scale and Brown Water

heatman101

Tell us what water you have been adding to the iron over the years?
Often times our household drinking water is 'hard' or has iron in trace amounts in it- While it may not be toxic to our bodies-- when you boil it off in the steaming process, the minerals remain behind, and make a brown or dirty residue in the chamber. That residue will often 'bleed' out into the passages of the steam holes.
Have you ever used Vinegar to try to clean out the chamber?
Tho this might helb get rid of the residue-- it does tend to move the debris into the steam passageway-
So-- unless you have some way of spending considerable time and effort cleaning it out-- It may ruin more white shirts in the process than it is worth.
Note: Using distilled water will extend the life of a steaming iron-- but eventually, even the best treated Steam iron will need to be replaced!
Mack B

Hi,
Here is a tip that will help you with that problem...

Cleaning a Steam Iron Soleplate
http://www.fixya.com/support/r5301167-cleaning_steam_iron_soleplate

heatman101

You're seeing hard water deposits and maybe a little rust. Use some CLR and pour in the iron and let it sit with it off. Shake it a bit and let it clean it all out, then rinse with clean water. (Vinegar will work too)

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/craig_3fa289bf857b1a3c

buy a new one at Walmart for $20

If it is not teflon coated sand it of with 400 grit sand paper. sand from front to back and it will create a nice grain and
this paper is so fine it will not scratch the surface. Sand it gently until the substance is completely gone. Do not do
this if it is teflon coated. Hope this helps you.
George

If steam iron clogs from minerals in water, follow use-guide directions for cleaning, or use a commercial iron cleaner. A fine needle in the nozzle hole may open it again. Sometimes "steaming" will remove lint clogging the iron; fill with at least 1/4 cup water, set it to "steam", and hold in the air or set flat on wire rack over heat and moisture resistant surface like counter protective mat. Let steam until empty. Using only distilled water in steam irons helps avoid mineral buildup. Or if you have burned stains or darkness on the bottom you can Heat equal parts of vinegar and salt in small pan rub solution on cooled iron surface to remove dark or burned stains