How do you clean old Irons: One from the 50's? the other ? One you placed on your wood stove.

[Jen in northern Wis]

I have a two old irons: one is the kind that you heat,. by placing it on a wood stove,. not sure on how they heated it,.
Other one has a black/white cord, looks like a old toaster cord,. from the 50's,. so I assume that is when the iron was made,. it has a spring on the end, iron handle can fold down, it has a separate,. water bottle,.
So how do I clean them,. the later iron is in good condition, except,. it has pitted,. discolored on the bottom (not sure on what to call it),. but is smooth,. Thanks for the help..........
p.s is there a source on were one can find more information about irons? Or the care of and price,. are they considered rare and antiques.

[shirleyknot]

The stove heated one should be cast iron and will require sanding with fine emery cloth. The other one I'm not sure about.

[bhaggerty]

I have always used table salt to clean my iron plate
just heat it up
pour salt on your ironing board and iron away on the salt
works like a charm