The Right Way to Clean a Curling Iron

I’m a firm believer that half the fun of going out is getting ready—and my busted old curling iron is a testament to the hours I’ve spent in front of the mirror. Cleaning your curling iron is less fun, sure, but necessary. Hairspray, heat protectant, leave-in conditioner, volumizing spray, mousse, oil—all of it gets seared onto the hot surface, whether that’s made of titanium iron, ceramic, or tourmaline. Over time, this can make the device less effective and your hair extra dirty after use, too. But hair tools are delicate, so you can’t just clean them any old way and hope for the best.

First, wipe down the curling iron

Before you do anything, give the curling iron a wipe-down with a damp cloth. Since it’s electrical, never submerge it in water, and always only clean it when it’s unplugged. Pay attention to the handles (which are also probably sticky with mousse and other products) and hinges. You don’t need malfunctioning buttons or hinges the next time you’re getting ready in a hurry. 

Plain water should remove some film and other residue, leaving the seriously burned-on mess behind. 

Use baking soda

I’ve tried many methods of cleaning my curling irons over the years. Depending on what yours is made of, you run the risk of damaging the surface if you use anything too abrasive or harsh. I've found that baking soda is a a great option for any type of hair tool. 

To demonstrate, I got out my personal Old Faithful: A three-barrel iron I got in 10th grade. I’ve had this thing for over half my life and will never get rid of it, even though it is worn down and overheats to the point that every use now results in a gunk film. It is especially dirty and I knew it would illustrate the method well.

Look how I massacred my boy. Credit: Lindsey Ellefson

First, I wiped a little vinegar along the barrels, just enough to make them damp. Then I laid it flat in the sink and dumped baking soda on top of the vinegar, smushing it around to make a paste. I then left it alone for 10 minutes. When the time was up, I used an old toothbrush to scrub it. Slowly but surely, the film started to come off—but in some cases, you’ll have to repeat the process a few times to really remove it. I ended up doing the whole thing thrice. Bear in mind, too, that you really need to scrub. Light brushing won’t cut it. Remember: The products are seared on there.  

The device after two rounds with the baking soda and vinegar. Credit: Lindsey Ellefson

Use nail polish remover as a last step

A lot of people swear by using acetone for the whole cleaning process, but that makes me a little nervous; I don’t want harsh chemicals all over the curling iron for that long. Instead, I use it as a last step to get rid of any marks or grime left behind after the baking soda scrub. 

As good as it gets for an artifact from 2008. Credit: Lindsey Ellefson

I put a little on a sponge and rubbed it across the barrels. Just a dab is enough to loosen whatever is stuck on there, so there's no need to go buck wild. Once the device is clean, wipe it down with a damp cloth again to get rid of the baking soda, vinegar, and nail polish remover. Then, let it air dry completely before putting it back in storage or using it.