Any general purpose cleaner will also work, although a cleaner with a strong smell could linger and eventually the smell could be transferred to your hair when you use the curling iron again. You can also make your own cleaning solution. Simply add one part baking soda to two parts water. This mixture can be used just like a commercial cleaner. The baking soda serves as a gentle abrasive that is good at cleaning off hairspray. A small brush that is easy to find is an old toothbrush. However, make sure that the toothbrush is very clean, and that no toothpaste residue is still on it.
Even if the curling iron isn’t on or hot, make sure it’s unplugged. This will reduce the risk of electrical shock.
While some suggest cleaning a curling iron while it’s still a little warm, it’s best to clean a completely cold curling iron for safety. You may even want to clean it when you have not used the iron on that day. This will help to avoid the risk of getting burned.
Rubbing alcohol or all-purpose cleaner will work better at breaking down the hairspray than just plain water. However, if you can get the hair spray off simply with water, try that first. This will eliminate the need to wipe the iron down with water at the end to wash off the residual cleaner.
Hairspray that has been on the iron for weeks or months will be harder to get off than hairspray that is fresh. Make sure to lift the clasp that closes on your hair when in use and clean under there as well! This is a spot that can get particularly gummed up with hairspray. Clean the handle and the cord too. Hairspray can sometimes get stuck on the handle area of the curling iron. This should be cleaned off so you don’t have to touch sticky hairspray every time you pick up your iron. If the handle of the curling iron has vents, be careful not to get water or cleaner in them. These vents allow air to circulate into the electronics inside the curling iron. These electronics may be damaged if exposed to too much moisture.
The cleaner made of a combination of baking soda and water can be adjusted to make it thicker for this process. Put some baking soda in a bowl and add just enough water to make it into a paste. This paste will stick to the brush, and the iron, better than a thinner cleaner.
If you simply used water to clean your curling iron, you do not need to wipe it down again. However, wiping it down with a towel with clean water could get even more of the hair spray residue off the iron.
You do not want to use a curling iron with any water left on it. This is a serious electrocution hazard and should be avoided.
