6 genius alternative ways to use an iron at home that have nothing to do with clothes – experts say it’s surprisingly versatile

Irons are becoming somewhat obsolete in many modern homes. Whether you have given up on ironing clothes altogether or have opted for a steamer, these tools are often left to collect dust.

But did you know that there are six other ways you can use your iron around your home beyond laundry?

Here, professional cleaners and DIY pros reveal all ways you can use an iron around a house – from cleaning tips to DIY hacks – to make the most of this increasingly neglected appliance.

6 ways to use an iron around the house

1. Wax and crayon removal

Nothing makes your stomach drop quite like knocking over a hot candle.

Luckily, cleaning spilled wax is a tough task that can be made easier with your iron – the same applies to wax crayon doodles left behind by children.

Jhon LeBaron, co-owner of Primavera Cleaning Service, shares, ‘If you’ve got kids like I do (seven in my case), you’ve probably dealt with crayons on walls and carpets, or wax drips on fabric.'

This where a languishing, or well-loved iron, comes in double handy. The trick is to place a paper towel, such as Bounty from Walmart or a brown paper bag over the wax or crayon mark.

Jhon says, 'Then run a warm but not hot iron over it. The heat melts the wax, and the paper absorbs it – no harsh cleaners or expensive cleaners required.’

2. Carpet stain removal

There are plenty of carpet cleaning tips targeting stains, but for those that simply will not budge, even with magic cleaners, such as the Dr. Beckmann's carpet Stain Remover from Walmart, you can use your iron to help you along.

Jhon shares, ‘For tough, set-in carpet stains, I dampen a clean white cloth with a mix of water and sometimes a mild cleaning agent, lay it over the stain, and press with a warm iron for about 30 seconds.

‘The heat breaks up the stain and helps transfer it into the cloth,’ he explains. ‘It’s a safe, low-chemical option that works especially well on juice or mud. Heat makes molecules move faster and collide more, making any cleaner even more effective.’

3. Removing wallpaper

Irons aren’t just good for cleaning – they can also stand in as a DIY tool in a pinch.

Carr Lanphier, CEO of Improovy, shares, ‘The handiest alternative use for an iron I have found personally is to help loosen and remove wallpaper.

'While newer forms of wallpaper, like peel-and-stick, are very easy to remove, I’ve run into many homes that still have older wallpaper up that poses more of a challenge.

‘Using an iron on a steam setting about an inch or so away from the wall, but not directly against the wall, helps to heat up and add some moisture back into that material and adhesive, which can make it much less of a hassle to remove – as with using a wallpaper steamer.’

4. Sanitizing soft surfaces

One of the top disinfecting golden rules is to use the best steam cleaners to disinfect and sanitize soft surfaces that you cannot wash.

We recommend the Bissell Little Greene Upholster steam cleaner from Amazon for extensive steam cleaning, but if you don't want to invest in a new device, Jhon says an iron on the steam setting can help sanitize throw pillows, curtains, or even a mattress surface.

‘It’s not a replacement for deep cleaning,’ he warns, ‘but it adds enough heat to reduce germs and freshen fabrics quickly. The high heat can kill some odor-causing bacteria, and it helps to eliminate wrinkles.’

5. Removing furniture dents from carpet

Getting furniture dents out of carpet isn’t the easiest task, but an iron can help here, too.

Scott Schrader, cleaning expert at CottageCare, explains, ‘Dampen a clean towel and lay it over the dent. Either with the steam setting or medium heat, press the iron down for 30-60 seconds.

'The steam will relieve the carpet, and the fibers will relax, allowing the dent to lift back. Just be careful not to put the heat on the carpet for too long to avoid damaging it.’

For extra fiber-lifting action, pair your iron with a carpet rake from Walmart. These can help to grip the relaxed fibers and fluff them back up.

6. Removing water spots from wood

Although it might sound like a stretch, your iron can also help to remove water stains from wood.

Scott suggests, ‘Lay a dry cotton cloth over the spot and use low heat (no steam). Move the iron back and forth, for just a few seconds, to pull out the moisture from the surface layer of wood, which will lift white water rings. The low heat will lighten the marks. Just be sure to try it on a non-visible area first.’

Of course, it is a lot better to prevent water marks on wood in the first place, always using coasters such as this set of five marble coasters from Target, under drinking classes, mugs, and even candles to protect from heat damage and negate spills.

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Meet the experts

Carr Lanphier

Improovy is working to revolutionize the paint industry, making the lives of professional painters easier and more effective. As an expert in all things paint, Carr's favorite color is Swiss Coffee (OC-45) by Benjamin Moore.

Scott Schrader

Scott is a cleaning expert at CottageCare, which is a leading home cleaning company with over 41 locations nationwide. He's a big believer in using eco-friendly cleaning solutions like baking soda.

While these uses certainly extend the usefulness of your iron, there are some things you should never iron if you want to avoid damaging them.