Housekeeping House Cleaning Cleaning Tips How to Clean a Curling Iron to Remove Pesky Product Buildup Routine cleaning is critical to this go-to beauty tool delivering years of good hair days. By Leanne Potts Leanne Potts Leanne Potts is an award-winning journalist who has covered home design and shelter topics for three decades. She's an expert on everything from choosing a color palette for a room to growing heirloom tomatoes to the origins of Modernism in interior design. Her writing has appeared in or on HGTV, Parade, BHG, Travel Channel, and Bob Vila. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Published on February 2, 2024 Close Photo: Getty Images / Natalya Sambulova Project Overview Working Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 15 minutes Skill Level: Beginner Estimated Cost: $5 For many, curling irons are a key part of daily beauty routines, turning stick-straight hair into curls and waves in minutes. They work their magic with heat and a ceramic or metal rod. But over time, hair spray, heat protectants, and your hair’s oils can accumulate on the barrel of the curling iron barrel and clamp, causing them to style your hair less efficiently. Product buildup can also interfere with the curling iron’s ability to distribute heat evenly, which results in longer styling times and weak curls. A dirty curling iron can even damage your hair. Uneven heating produces hot spots on the barrel that can burn your tresses. Here are instructions for cleaning and removing product buildup from a curling iron. Before Getting Started How do you know if your curling iron is due for a cleaning? If you notice sticky residue on the barrel, that’s a sure sign your curling iron needs some TLC. Do you notice a burning smell when you use the iron? That may be product residue burning off the barrel of the curling iron. Is your curling iron taking longer than usual to heat up? Is your hair not curling as quickly as it used to? All of these are signs it’s time to clean that curling iron. Of course, always unplug a curling iron and let it cool off before you clean it. What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Old toothbrush or small cleaning brush Towel Soft cleaning cloths Materials Rubbing alcohol or vinegar Instructions How to Clean a Curling Iron Remove Hair and Debris Wipe or brush off any hair and debris from the barrel and clamp with a soft cloth or old toothbrush. Mix a Cleaning Solution Combine equal parts of water and rubbing alcohol or vinegar. This solution will dissolve and remove product buildup. Wipe Down the Barrel Dip a soft cloth into the cleaning solution and wring it out. You want the cloth damp but not soaking wet. Use the cloth to wipe the barrel of the iron, concentrating on any areas where you can see product buildup. Be sure the cleaning solution gets into the edges, crooks, and crannies. Use a Brush on Tight Spaces Dip a toothbrush or cleaning brush into the cleaning solution and gently scrub hard-to-reach areas around the clamp and barrel. Use the brush to scrub away any stubborn product residue remaining on the barrel. Clean the Cool Top If your curling iron has a cool tip, clean it too. Hair products can build up around the cool tip and harm the curling iron’s performance. Rinse and Wipe Dampen another soft cloth with water and wipe down the curling iron barrel, clamp, and cool tip to remove the cleaning solution. Dry Thoroughly Use a towel to wipe off the water and let the curling iron completely air-dry. Once the curling iron is dry, check to see if all visible product buildup is gone. Plug In and Test Before using the curling iron again, plug it in and see if it heats properly. Make sure there are no odd smells, which could mean you didn’t wipe all the cleaning solution off the barrel. How to Clean Hairbrushes to Remove Lint and Buildup How Often to Clean a Curling Iron How often you deep clean depends on how often you use the curling iron and the type of styling products you use, but deep clean your curling iron at least once a year to remove product residue. Wipe down the iron after each use to prolong its life and prevent product buildup. If you use your curling iron daily, give it a light cleaning every two weeks. Wipe it down with a cloth dipped in a mild cleaning solution. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning your curling iron because certain coatings on the barrel may need specific care. Storage Ideas for Hair Accessories, Tools, and Products