Does Anyone Know How to Clean a Curling Iron?

Updated on September 06, 2007
H.S. asks from Trenton, NJ
15 answers

Hello ladies! I know I am not the only one out there with this problem but I do think I am the onoly one who doesn't know how to clean a curling iron. I bought a coated curling iron and it get extremely hot. I grab a piece of hair, spray, then curl it. I do this to the whole head every morning. It finially gets hard, burnt hairspray all over it and mostly between the prongs. I tried to scrub it while it was hot and I scratched it instead. So, I go buy a stainless steel one. The same thing is happening to this one. I don't know what to use or how to use it. I don't want to keep buying new ones. Does anyone know the best way to clean a curling iron?

Thank you! H.

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K.S.

answers from New York on

Hi H.,

Caitlyn is spot on. Baking soda works wonderfully. I do this once a month to keep the build up from getting too icky.

Good luck.
K. S

1 mom found this helpful

More Answers

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C.D.

answers from New York on

Oven cleaner will take the caked on hairspray off of your curling iron.

1 mom found this helpful
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Q.F.

answers from New York on

definitely don't try scrubbing it off, and DON'T try to clean while hot(other then maybe lightly wiping with a wet rag in between curls, just to try and clean it a bit, not completely)...once it's cool to the touch, just wipe down with a rag soaked in rubbing alcohol. like others said, it's much easier to use alcohol when it's cool!

1 mom found this helpful
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D.M.

answers from New York on

Try cleaning the iron after every couple of curls.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.V.

answers from New York on

H.,

Once the curling iron cools off, put some rubbing alchol on a cotton ball and clean your curling iron. The hairspray should come right off. :-)

1 mom found this helpful
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A.M.

answers from New York on

Hi H.,

Take a cotton ball and soak it with Witch Hazel and clean the iron, while it's hot. Another suggestion is to spray your hair with hairspray first and then curl, instead of spraying right onto the iron.
Hope this helps!
A~

1 mom found this helpful
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A.K.

answers from New York on

While I don't have the answer to this I am definitley excited to read some suggestions. I am having the same problem with my flat iron, and I don't even spray hairspray on my hair! It's so frustrating, and it smells really bad.....

1 mom found this helpful
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C.S.

answers from New York on

hey H.,

I've been there let me tell you! okay this is what i do... for a coated iron i use some baking soda and water paste while the iron is cool and use and "old" soft toothbrush to clean it! and for the stainless steel one i use easy off oven cleaner, also while cold and let it sit for about 20 mins or so and then wipe it off with a damp paper towel! hope this helps you!

1 mom found this helpful
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L.C.

answers from New York on

While it is cool take a soft rag and soak it in rubbing alcohol. Wipe the iron down. Do this after EVERY use. Burnt hairspray is harder to get rid of than non-burnt. Hope that helps!

1 mom found this helpful
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D.H.

answers from New York on

I have always used a damp wash cloth to clean it. I clean it while it's hot. This has always worked well for me.

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M.P.

answers from New York on

Hi, don't use any scrubs that will only ruin the important coating on the iron. I have never tried this method, but i heard it works- applying regular hair relaxer cream on the iron and let it warm up a little and wipe off with a clean towel. i hope this works.

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D.S.

answers from New York on

Hi H., I had trouble cleaning my curling iron too. I asked my hair stylist. She suggested wetting a dish towel with warm water and liquid soap or shampoo and making it soapy. Make sure that your iron is hot (unplugged). Wrap the towel around the wand and let it sit for a while rubbing it back and forth now and again. This will have to be repeated a few times. It doesn't seem to clean it like new but it does help get a lot of the gunk off. Then wipe it off with some clear warm water. I think if you do it regularly when it's new it works the best. Good luck. D. S.

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M.M.

answers from New York on

I do know the answer to this question. You place relaxer on the hot curling iron for a few seconds and wipe it off with a rag.

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K.H.

answers from New York on

First, I would definately buy a new one and get a ceramic one. You can google for them, and prices range from $35 and up. Then, instead of hairspray use Paul Mitchell Sculpting Spray. I use this with my ceramic flat iron, and it NEVER builds up and I never have to clean it. My hair stylist recommended these products together.

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D.S.

answers from New York on

hey H.! I know the frustration of a dirty curling iron! I have not tried this because I no longer curl my hair, but I've heard using Oven Cleaner. Spray it on, let it sit for a little while, maybe 10-30 minutes, the try to wipe off. This should work, considering what it can take off of an oven right? haha.
Good luck!

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