Every shift adds a little more residue to your ironer chest. Without cleaning, that residue bakes onto the hot metal surface and hardens into carbon buildup. It doesn't happen overnight, but by the time it's visible, the chest has usually been cooking it in for weeks.

What Buildup Looks Like

Baked-on residue shows up as dark brown to black patches across the chest surface, often uneven and shinier than the surrounding metal. It builds fastest where wax coverage is thin or missing, and where cleaning gets skipped during busy weeks.

Why It Matters

A dirty chest increases friction against the pad and cover. That friction scorches linen, wears down pads and covers faster, and can throw off feed consistency — often before anyone connects it back to the chest itself.

Machines Affected

This applies across Chicago Dryer, steam, and gas-heated flatwork ironers — any machine running a hot metal chest under regular volume.

What to Check

• Look for dark, uneven patches across the chest surface
• Check pad and cover wear near heavily built-up areas
• Watch for scorch marks or discoloration on finished linen

Cleaning It Off

Faultless Hot Metal Cleaner cuts through baked-on carbon fast, and a Coronet Hot Head Kleen Mitt protects your hand and arm while you work it in.

Browse Hot Metal Cleaner and Kleen Mitts at Cicus.com or call (866) 632-2298.