so what's wrong with old style flux ... pretty much all I've ever used - inherited a life times supply unless I start a new career in plumbing,
bit of acryd smoke and it eats cladding on the antex bits.
(googles not showing me any significant cons fluxrite soldering flux vintage ingrediants )
Usually prop the iron on the edge of a mug and use cotton rag for cleaning it ...just have to be careful not to pick it up by the tip,
putting it into the metal ring thing that acts like a heat sink, or using the dampened sponge stuff always seem ineffective.