Is your curling iron, wand or flat iron loaded with buildup? Check out this simple trick for How To Clean Your Curling Iron!
Be sure to also try this clever method for How to Clean your Hair Brush!
How To Clean Your Curling Iron
Have you ever wondered How to Clean Your Curling Iron? It’s SO much easier than you think!
Whether you’ve got a newer style ceramic curling wand or flat iron… or an older style curling iron with plates, this simple little trick works like a charm!
Why Should I Clean My Curling Iron?
But wait… why should you bother cleaning your curling iron?
Well, there are several reasons actually that you’ll wan to keep it nice and clean…
Product buildup on your curling iron will make it less effective when curling your hair.
That same buildup can also transfer back from your curling iron to your clean hair… eww!
It will look SO much nicer, and make getting ready in the morning even more fun!
It’s amazing how much a clean hairbrush and clean styling tools can make your whole bathroom look nicer, too!
Nobody likes gunky hairstyling tools, right?
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Most newer curling irons, flat irons and wands are now made with a smooth ceramic coating, making them a lot easier to clean than the old-school ones we used to know and love.
But don’t worry… this trick will work for either of these varieties.
So guess what removes hairspray residue?
Are you ready for the secret ingredient?
Rubbing alcohol, also known as isopropyl alcohol will be your magic ingredient today!
How to Clean a Curling Iron Barrel
Turn your curling iron on for a few seconds to warm it up, then unplug it and let it cool down to WARM, not hot. Curling irons are so much easier to clean when they’re warm!
Then dip a soft cloth or sturdy paper towel that’s been folded several times in rubbing alcohol, and just run it back and forth over your wand or curling iron plates.
For the really stubborn build-up spots, you can use an old toothbrush to go at them, or your fingernails to scrape the spots off through the cloth.
Then just repeat the entire process as necessary… warming the curling iron up and scrubbing it with the alcohol, until the gunky grime is gone.
After you’ve finished cleaning, wipe your curling iron off with a clean cloth that’s been damped with water, then dry completely with a clean towel to avoid any potential rust stains.
See? That wasn’t so hard now, was it?
Yes, the stubborn spots can take a little work and elbow grease, but it’s SO worth it!
And just remember… the more often you clean your tools, the easier they will be to clean!
So go ahead and take some time to clean your styling tools this week. You’ll be so glad you did!
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So have you tried this tip for How to Clean Your Curling Iron yet?
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Healthy World Cuisine says
OMG Thank you! With a heated iron , rubbing alcohol and a little elbow grease – our old hair curling iron is looking good as new. Best spring cleaning hack of the day!
Heidi says
Yay… I’m so happy to hear that!!
Christie says
Wow this is such an amazing trick! I’m embarrassed to say that I’ve never clean mine but I really ought to because I wouldn’t’ want that to impact my hair too.
Heidi says
I’m so glad you liked the tip, Christie! It really is such a cinch to clean… and I love how a clean curling iron works better and keeps your hair cleaner, too. 🙂
Keltoikds says
Heat up curling iron. While it is heating up, soak a hand towel in liquid fabric softener. Unplug curling iron and then open it up, wrap towel around it and let it sit. The gunk will melt off…
Michele says
Interesting… In the 80’s, I just sat and scraped it with a knife or my metal nail file! 😉
Travis Garcia says
Thanks for sharing. Sometimes things are easy to do but you just don’t think about it until someone else does. It’s like when we’re watching a football match, everything looks easy from up, but the guys on the pitch can’t really get a clear view on whta’s going on
Linn says
what’s the name of your curler? i want a big curling iron but i ddon’t know witch one ishould buy? is that one good? do you get big wavy curls?
Thanks for the help
Love Linn
Codi says
I always use hair relaxer!
Tiffany Willis says
Baking Soda works well too and doesn’t scratch surfaces. You can just use it with a little soap and water.
Kim Bullock says
Very fine steel wool…works like a charm with very little elbow grease.
tanya says
OMG! thanks i’ve been trying with just my nails and it wouldnt work!
belinda says
Do you have any ideas on how to clean a curling brush iron?? I have to take mine apart to clean.
Ashley says
I’m embarrassed to say I’ve had my iron for about 4 years an have never cleaned it!! I’ve been looking for a way and tried Stacey’s…the “black” build up (I know sounds horrible) flakes right off!! Thanks!!!
Lynn says
Razors and scraping with sos pads remove the ceramic which can cause snagged hair and it protects your hair. Don’t scrape it with an sos pad or a razor. Yes rubbing alcohol and a lot of patience and scrubbing will work. I’m a cosmetologist and we use relaxer on a rag, warm up the iron and wipe it off. I know not all people have access to relaxer, so have fun with the rubbing alcohol. Or I’d just use the Dissolve All Purpose Cleaner Concentrate you get at sallys. Very nice tips though. Have fun cleaning those irons girls
Susan says
I’ve always just used a razor blade, then wiped clean with dry cloth.
Michelle says
My hair stylist told me to use and SOS pad.
Nicole Biggs says
I’ve always cleaned mine with a little Comet. It does take a bit of scrubbing but in the end it looks nice and new – never thought about alcohol.
Emily N. says
awesome idea. i’ve always wanted to clean mine up real good and was neve able to. i’ll sure try it out 🙂
~ Emily N. from “too Blessed to Stress”
Young Wife says
Great tip! I’ll have to give it a try.
Mandy says
Thanks for sharing!
~Ivey~ says
Heidi, you are SO cute! I’m definitely going to share this one with my readers!
Tracy @ Hall of Fame Moms says
I needed this info for my flat iron, tho I rarely use it now. Stills needs a cleaning tho. Thanks!
Xmasdolly says
Well, look at that. Why didn’t I think of that. I can’t wait to go clean mine. Thanks for the tip.
Yasmin says
Use 91% Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol instead of 70% since the concentration is higher in 91% than 70%. Also, do NOT breath the fumes if you use a warm iron since the fumes ARE toxic. The BEST thing to do is use 91% on a COLD iron and let the alcohol evaporate.
HOWEVER, while this is the cheapest way to clean your curling iron (or flat iron) you can get Dissolve All Purpose Cleaner Concentrate which is meant to remove gunk from curling irons, flat irons and the like. It costs around $5 to $7 at a beauty supply store. No scrubbing or fussing at all and it will last a very long time.
Stacy says
As a hairstylist, I use oven cleaner.Get your iron hot. Unplug it and spray with oven cleaner. Place your iron on a sylicone hot pad. Let it sit for a while then wipe away.
Darlene says
I have been using oven cleaner for awile now. It works great,but I was not heating the iron up first. Thanks for the tip.
Darlene says
awhile…lol
Mel says
Thanks for sharing! I was wondering how to do that without just using my fingernails–will have to try on my flat iron.