Soldering tips: Who uses the sponge and who uses the metal wool?

Andreas Thaler · May 8, 2025

For years, I cleaned my soldering tips with a damp sponge and eventually got tired of constantly keeping the sponge moist.

So I tried dry cleaning with metal wool and have stuck with it.

This one cleans the soldering tip perfectly and also slows down oxidation.

The cleaning container and contents are also nice on the workbench

HAKKO | HAKKO Corporation

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aconbere · May 8, 2025

Can’t remember the last time I used a sponge. Agreed. The wire wool is the way.

snusmumriken · May 8, 2025

Thanks for this tip! I had no idea.

Sirius Glass · May 8, 2025

I use a damp sponge to clean the soldering iron.

Truzi · May 8, 2025

I don't solder often, so haven't even used a sponge lately - just a wet paper towel.
I've never tried the wire wool, though have wanted to. Maybe it's time.

4season · May 8, 2025

My Hakko FX-951 soldering station came with a metal wool, so that's what I use. I previously used a Weller which shipped with a sponge, and that approach served me well for many years, but I only recently discovered that one is ideally supposed to use it with distilled water, to prevent mineral buildup on the tip - oops.

Chan Tran · May 8, 2025

I always use the spronge. It works well for me. I don't solder long enough for me to have to rewet the spronge in one session.

Sharktooth · May 8, 2025

I couldn't solder to save my life, until I bought one of those soldering stations that you can regulate the temperature accurately.
That unit came with a sponge pad, that I used, and it worked well. I don't solder very often, so when I do go to solder the sponge is always dry. I'm the impatient type, so it was always a pain in the rear to go and moisten the pad.

I eventually got one of those units that hold the copper wool. This worked very well, and is ready to go at all times. That's what I use all the time now. It's not any better than the wet sponge, but is far more convenient.

Hasslebad · May 8, 2025

I use both. I use the metal as a course clean and the sponge for a finer clean. It depends on how much rosin or agent gunks up on the tip.

grahamp · May 8, 2025

I don't use soldering irons all that often, so by the time I have pulled them out, wetting a sponge is a minor amount of extra work. If that changes, the metal would probably win out.

The last time I had an iron out it had the M 2.5 heat set bit installed for a 3D print job. No solder in sight!

Laurent · May 8, 2025

metal wool it is for me, much better than the sponge and does not need to be kept wet

Sirius Glass · May 8, 2025

Sirius Glass said:
I use a damp sponge to clean the soldering iron.

At Hughes Aircraft a sponge was required and required to be used on the assembly line for aerospace work.

benderscameracorner · May 9, 2025

Metal wool is 1005% better, for sure.

OrientPoint · May 9, 2025

Metal wool for sure.

250swb · May 9, 2025

Sponge.

eli griggs · May 9, 2025

Metal 'sponges'.

Andreas Thaler · May 10, 2025

The Hakko product I use has flux on the metal wool. This significantly reduces the oxidation of the soldering tip.

A completely new soldering experience

Nimbus62 · May 10, 2025

Sponge, since 45 years!

ivan35mm · May 11, 2025

Only ever used a wet sponge / paper towel, but know seeing the metal wool pad... very interesting! thanks for the tip

chuckroast · May 11, 2025

Sponge, and occasionally, my blue jeans ...

Soldering tips: Who uses the sponge and who uses the metal wool?

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