How to clean the oxidized soldering iron tip thoroughly?

Oxidation of the soldering iron tip will affect the soldering effect and prevent the solder from attaching smoothly. To thoroughly clean the oxidized soldering iron tip, you can follow the following methods:

Method 1: Use a wet sponge or metal cleaning ball (mild oxidation)
For mild oxidation or daily maintenance:

Heat the soldering iron to operating temperature (about 300°C-350°C).
Wipe the soldering iron tip with a wet sponge to remove the surface oxide layer and residual solder.
Use a metal cleaning ball (such as a copper wire ball) to gently wipe the soldering iron tip to remove stubborn oxides.
Re-tinning: Apply a new layer of solder to the soldering iron tip to form a protective layer to prevent re-oxidation.
Method 2: Use flux or rosin (moderate oxidation)
For moderate oxidation, the soldering iron tip turns black but still conducts heat:

Heat the soldering iron to about 350°C.
Insert the soldering iron tip into the flux or rosin to dissolve the oxide layer.
Rub the tip with solder wire to wrap the oxide layer, then wipe it with a wet sponge or metal cleaning ball.
Repeat until the tip is shiny again.
Method 3: Use a tip cleaning paste (deoxidation paste)
For more severe oxidation:

Heat the soldering iron to 300°C-350°C.
Dip a small amount of cleaning paste (such as Hakko tip cleaning paste) into the tip.
Rub it back and forth in the cleaning paste to dissolve the oxide layer.
Wipe with a wet sponge, then apply a new layer of solder.
Method 4: Use sandpaper or an abrasive brush (severe oxidation)
For severe oxidation, a thick black oxide layer has formed on the surface of the tip:

Turn off the electric soldering iron and wait for it to cool down before operating.
Use fine sandpaper (800 grit or above) or a polishing cloth to polish the tip to remove the oxide layer.
Reheat the tip and apply solder to form a protective layer to prevent re-oxidation.
⚠ Note: This method may damage the coating of the soldering iron tip. It is recommended to use it only when other methods are ineffective.

How can we prevent the soldering iron tip from oxidizing again?
Keep a layer of solder on the soldering iron tip at all times to prevent air oxidation.
Clean the soldering iron tip immediately after soldering and apply a layer of solder protection.
Avoid long-term high-temperature empty burning. It is recommended to use a temperature-controlled soldering iron and maintain an operating temperature between 300°C-350°C.
Use high-quality solder to avoid corrosion of the soldering iron tip caused by inferior solder.
Use flux or cleaning paste regularly for maintenance.
If the soldering iron tip is severely oxidized and cannot be restored, it is recommended to directly replace it with a new soldering iron tip to ensure the quality of welding.