Removing Burn Marks

Q: I used a hot iron with a damp rag to repair a few dents in a piece of furniture by swelling the wood grain. It worked. The problem is that I now have burn marks on my wife’s iron that won’t scrub off. How do I remove them?

A: Try scrubbing the burn marks using cotton swabs with acetone or nail-polish remover. The marks will come off easier if the iron is warm, so turn it on low when cleaning but be careful not to contact the plate with your skin. When the swab turns dark from the stain, replace with a clean one and continue scrubbing until the burn marks are gone. Once clean, use a damp cloth to remove any residue.