A sole plate cover covers all exposed surfaces of a steam iron's sole plate to contain fluids leaking from the iron and prevent injury from contact with hot surfaces. The flexible cover includes a plate formed with a plurality of vent holes, a side wall extending outward from the plate all the way around the perimeter of the sole plate, a vent plug extending out from the plate to block a steam vent on the sole plate, and flanges configured to hold the cover to the front and rear ends of the sole plate. A sole plate cover may include a flexible strap for holding closed a water tank cover on the iron. An optional pressure relief valve on the strap blocks a vent hole on the water tank to prevent leakage, opening in the event of an over-pressure condition in the tank.