Can anyone tell me how to clean my curling iron? After using it over and over every single day it has so much build up on it from hair products etc...it looks and feels very awful and I'm sure it isn't doing my hair a bit of good. I'd like to know how to get all that gook off without having to purchase a new one...any suggestions would greatly be appreciated:wave:

Try rubbing it with a cotton ball wet with alcohol..may take some time and multiple cotton balls plus a little elbow grease! good luck! :D

I usually clean mine with windex and a paper towel (while it's off of course ;) )

I'm with dollymama - I use Windex and paper towels. The amonia in the Windex helps break down the hairspray, etc. I find that if my curling iron is really bad it works better if I get a couple of paper towels damp with Windex and wrap them around the iron and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Then wipe it off

Even if the curling iron is really bad and it seems as if its burnt on?:confused:

wow, if the stuff appears "burnt on" then i would just get a new one. i feel your pain...i stayed with my trusty curling iron for years because i didn't want to buy a new one. but soon as i saw my mom's curling iron sporting the "burnt" look, i went to the store and bought both of us new ones! walmart has some affordable ones that work really well.

i wouldn't try to clean the one you have because if you try anything tough, like chipping away at the burned stuff, you may further damage your curling iron or break it all together.

i know that's not what you wanted to hear, but trust me, invest in a new one and after every use, wipe down your curling iron with a damp cloth and allow it to dry.

If it's that bad I think it's time for a new one. I had one that I loved and tried just about everything I could come up with to clean all the gunk off but nothing worked. I had to give up and find a new one that I liked. I learned to clean it atleast every couple of weeks - wipe it down with Windex and as long as I keep up on it it's staying nice and clean.

Good luck!

Can you clean a hair straightener the same way?

I'm so glad you posted this....I have the same problem but I'm like other pp said Mine has the "BURNT ON" look....I'm going to invest in a new one then use your tips to keep it looking new.

Hmmm,I have an idea that might work; What about using oven cleaner or something that is meant to clean burnt on build up off of pans? :cool:

I'm thinking that something like GooGone or Ooops or something for the automobile for bug and tar removal. Also you may even try those Mr. Clean Eraser Sponges that tend to clean things that nothing else will clean.

I used to detail in a manufacturing company and they had me use alcohol to clean extra glue off, and this was TOUGH glue. I would go with the others and say invest in a new one if the alcohol or any of the others dont work, and just periodically clean it so it doesnt get the same way. I recommend conair curling irons, they last and the regular ones which have like 20 differnt heat settings are only around 13 buckaroos and walmart.

Oh my, I have the best way to clean curling irons. I figured this is how most others did it. I guess I am an "inventor":) I let my curling iron heat up a little and then take on of those little paint scraper things with a blade, and the build up comes right off. I could not even imagine how long it would take cleaning it with windex and paper towels. Give it a try.

mommaoftwinsplus1 :angel: :angel: :angel: