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Many soldering enthusiasts prefer using a brass/copper or even stainless "scratch pad" type surface to clean the soldering iron tip while in use.

Benefits of using this type of cleaning is that it does not reduce the heat of the iron, nor will it increase your chances of oxidation or rust. Constant temp changes that using a wet sponge can cause premature tip failure due to the tip temperature repeatedly rising and falling and thus the different layers in your tip to repeatedly expand and contract.

You can easily order HAKKO or other brand cleaners but your local Dollar Store/Grocery/Mart has a great option.



These pads cost only a dollar. They work perfectly.



They fit pretty well in most round stands BUT are easily trimmed with a scissors to fit other stands.



Hope it helps some of you.

My Hakko has both a sponge and this coiled up stuff, in the holder for the iron, so you can be sure it will work. I use this coiled stuff for the nasty black and brown stuff, and when I get too close to plastic insulation, then stroke it on the wet sponge, for a brand new looking tip. I've been doing a lot of electric guitar work lately, and sometimes, the space is insanely small, which means the insulation gets burned a bit (it only takes a touch). I clean the tip of really nasty crap a lot lately.

That has never been the case for me in over 40 years. The sponge is for a quick swipe, the coils are for serious cleaning. I solder at 850F degrees most of the time.

Excellent tip, Harry! It's on my shopping list for next trip to the dollar store!

Thanks,
Rick V.

This stuff doesn't fit my holder, but I tried it today and it worked perfectly!