How to clean curling tongs and wands

Before you start: safety first

A curling tool must be switched off, unplugged and fully cool before you clean it. Barrels on premium tongs and wands typically run at around 185 °C (365 °F), and they stay hot for a good while after you switch off. Cleaning a warm barrel can burn your fingers and can make some cleaners evaporate too fast to work.

Never put a tong or wand under the tap or into water. Water can get into the handle, swivel joint and electronics. Use only a cloth that is damp, not dripping.

Note:Do not clean a tool that is plugged in. If the cable is split, the plug is cracked or the tool smells of burning, stop using it and contact the maker rather than trying to repair it yourself.

What you need

You probably have everything already. Keep it gentle: the barrel coating is what gives a smooth glide, and it scratches more easily than it looks.

• A soft microfibre cloth or two
• Warm water with a drop of washing-up liquid
• Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol, 70% or similar, for stubborn residue
• Cotton buds for the clamp hinge and edges
• A dry towel to finish

Step by step: cleaning the barrel

Work along the barrel from the handle end to the tip, turning it as you go. For clamp tongs, open the clamp and clean the inside of the clamp as well as the barrel beneath it, as this is where residue builds up most.

1. 1

   Unplug the tool and leave it to cool for at least 30 minutes.

2. 2

   Dampen a microfibre cloth with warm, soapy water and wring it out well.

3. 3

   Wipe the barrel firmly in long strokes, turning it so you reach the whole surface.

4. 4

   For sticky patches, put a little isopropyl alcohol on a fresh cloth and rub gently in small circles.

5. 5

   Use a cotton bud with alcohol around the clamp edge, the cool tip and the base of the barrel.

6. 6

   Wipe over with a cloth dampened with plain water to remove soap traces.

7. 7

   Dry with a towel and leave the tool for an hour before you plug it back in.

Dealing with baked-on build-up

Brown, varnish-like patches are hairspray and product that has been heated many times. Alcohol is the best household option because it dissolves the resins in styling products. Let a soaked cotton pad rest on the patch for a minute, then rub. Repeat rather than scrubbing hard.

If a mark will not shift after a few rounds, leave it. A slightly discoloured barrel works normally, and scraping it off risks removing the coating. Some people use a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water on ceramic barrels, but even this is mildly abrasive, so check your manual before trying it.

Clamp tongs versus clipless wands

Clipless wands are the easiest to clean because there is nothing to open. Clamp tongs need more care around the hinge and spring, where hair and product collect. Open the clamp fully and clean both faces. Do not pull or bend the spring, and do not oil it, as oil will burn when the tool heats.

If you are still deciding between the two styles, our curling wand vs curling tongs article covers the differences, and the best curling wands and tongs guide lists premium options.

How often to clean, and how to keep it clean

A quick wipe once a week is plenty for most people who curl regularly. Do a deeper clean with alcohol once a month, or sooner if the barrel starts to drag or you notice a smell of burning product when it heats.

To slow down build-up, apply heat protector and let it dry before curling, use hairspray after styling rather than before, and avoid heavy creams on the sections you are about to curl. The same habits apply to flat irons; see how to clean straighteners for plates.

See premium curling wands and tongs →

Frequently asked questions

Can I clean curling tongs while they are hot? No. Always unplug the tool and let it cool fully. Hot barrels can burn you, and cleaning liquids on a hot surface can smoke or leave streaks.

What is the best curling iron cleaning solution? For most people, isopropyl alcohol on a soft cloth works best on hairspray residue. Warm water with a little washing-up liquid is fine for routine cleaning. Avoid acetone and abrasive cleaners.

Will cleaning damage the coating on my wand? Not if you use a soft cloth and gentle cleaners. Damage usually comes from scourers, blades or harsh solvents, so leave stubborn marks rather than scraping them.

Why does my curling wand smell when it heats up? Usually it is product residue burning off the barrel. A thorough clean normally stops it. If the smell is electrical or the cable is hot, stop using it and contact the maker.