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!

Two Bed Head curling irons.

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?

Related: Clever Bath and Body Works Shopping Hacks

Person holding a bottle of Isopropyl Alcohol.

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!

More DIY Beauty Tips and Tricks

Now it’s time to get inspired with even more DIY Beauty Tips and Tricks that are going to save you so much money!

I know you’ll love these easy beauty tips and tricks, too…

How to Clean your Hair Brush

Make your hair brush look like new again with this simple tip for How to Clean your Hair Brushes at home!

Person holding a hair brush.

How to Add Volume to Hair (10 Secrets For Thin Hair)

Whether you’ve always had thin or flat hair, or you’ve recently noticed your hair has been thinning… these simple little tips work like a charm!

Hairbrush with four pink flowers.

Homemade Hair Detangler Recipe

Get those tangles out with this tip for How to Make a Homemade Hair Detangler Recipe!

Bottle of conditioner with a blue spray bottle.

How to Make Foaming Shampoo

Learn How to Make Foaming Shampoo and bath time for your kids will never be the same!

Bottles of baby shampoo and foaming soap.

Homemade Dry Shampoo for Dark Hair or Blondes

If you want to make your own natural Dry Shampoo for Dark Hair or Blondes, I’ve got some seriously easy recipes for you! No crazy chemicals, just products you can feel good about.

Jars of homemade dry shampoo.

How to Cover Gray Roots At Home in 30 Seconds (7 Sneaky Tricks)

Do you have some pesky gray hairs or roots peeking out? You’ll love these EASY tricks for How to Cover Gray Roots at Home Fast!

Person showing her gray roots.

Coconut Oil Cuticle Cream (Easy DIY Beauty Treatment)

Try this DIY Coconut Oil Cuticle Cream trick. I know you’ll love the results!!

Coconut Oil Cuticle Cream in a small red container.

How to Clean Your Diamond Ring at Home

Could your ring use a little love? This EASY trick will make sparkle like it’s brand new!

Person holding a ring in front of a flower.

How to Clean Makeup Sponges & Beauty Blenders

Whether you’re wondering how to clean a Beauty Blender, your favorite Beauty Blender dupe, or your old faithful sponge that’s never let you down, you won’t believe how clean they’ll get with these easy little hacks!

Two pink makeup sponges in wire holders.

How to Clean Makeup Brushes at Home

Once you know how to deep clean makeup brushes, you’ll never put it off again. It’s so EASY!

Several makeup brushes on a white surface.

Oat Honey Face Mask Recipe

This 3-ingredient all-natural face mask is the perfect way to tone and tighten your skin… and may even help prevent some future pesky breakouts!

Jars of honey, oats, and milk.

How to Clean White Shoes at Home

Whether your shoes need a good cleaning, or you just need to know how to clean white shoelaces, I’ve got you covered!

White shoes with fall leaves.

Keep Shoes From Smelling (6 Easy Tricks)

Here are some really easy ways to help remedy that stink and make all those shoes more tolerable once again!

Pair of blue Converse shoes.

Coconut Oil Massage Oil Recipe

Skip the expensive massage oil, and make this dreamy DIY Coconut Oil Massage Oil for a fraction of the cost!

Bottle of coconut oil massage oil with flowers.

101 Beauty Hacks For Glowing Skin and Gorgeous Hair

These tips and tricks will have you feeling beautiful and pampered in just a few minutes each day.

Beauty items with a sign that says \"Hey You I Love Your Face.\"

50 DIY Homemade Cleaners Recipes That Really Work!

Get ready for some serious savings with these simple DIY Homemade Cleaners Recipes and Tips!

Collage of different homemade cleaners.

Where To Shop For Beauty Deals

Sephora Sale Hacks You’re Missing Out On!

Use these secret Sephora Sale, Ad and Discount Hacks to save BIG every time you shop! Seriously… you won’t believe how much you’ll save!

Outside of a Sephora with palm trees.

Ultimate Bath and Body Works Coupons & Sale Hacks

Stock up on your favorite lotions, candles, soaps and more with these Bath and Body Works Coupons and Sale Hacks that will save you SO much money!

Outside of a Bath and Body Works.

Frugal Fashionista (Today’s Top Deals to Save BIG!)

Get ready for some seriously sweet Frugal Fashionista Deals and Tips to save you more money!

High heeled sandals on a white surface.

So have you tried this simple tip for How to Clean Your Curling Iron yet?

Leave a comment and share…

About Heidi Miller

Heidi Miller is the creator of The Frugal Girls, where she shares easy recipes with massive flavor! She has been creating and sharing recipes online for over 15 years, and brings warmth, expertise, and a personal touch to every recipe. Her work has been featured on Today.com, NBC, Fox, Parade, People, Country Living, Woman’s World, and more!

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29 Comments

  1. Healthy World Cuisine says:

    OMG Thank you! With a heated iron and a little elbow grease – our old hair curling iron is looking good as new. Best spring cleaning hack of the day!

    1. Heidi says:

      Yay… I’m so happy to hear that!!

  2. 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.

    1. 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. 🙂

  3. 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…

  4. Michele says:

    Interesting… In the 80’s, I just sat and scraped it with a knife or my metal nail file! 😉

  5. 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