If you’ve ever accidentally scorched your iron on a synthetic fabric or melted a patch of fabric glue, you know the frustration: a sticky, dark, burnt residue stuck to the soleplate that smears with every use and ruins your clothes.
You’ve tried wiping it with a cloth. Maybe even used baking soda. But the gunk just won’t budge.
Here’s a cleaning hack that sounds like an urban legend — but actually works:
👉 Use a crushed paracetamol tablet (acetaminophen) to clean your iron’s soleplate.
Yes — the same painkiller you keep in your medicine cabinet can help restore your iron to like-new condition — fast, cheap, and without scratching the surface.
Let’s break down how this surprising method works — and how to do it safely.
How Paracetamol Cleans a Burnt Iron
Paracetamol (known as acetaminophen in the U.S.) contains active compounds that break down under high heat, creating a mild chemical reaction that dissolves carbonized residue and sticky buildup on the iron’s hot plate.
When melted on a hot iron, it acts like a gentle solvent, lifting burnt fabric, glue, and scorch marks without the need for abrasive scrubbing.
And because it melts smoothly, it won’t scratch the delicate surface — unlike metal scrapers or harsh cleaners.
