Studio 5 Contributor and Consumer Educator, Teresa Hunsaker, shares home remedies to remove hairspray residue from curling irons and other styling tools.
Walls
The problem with getting all this build-up off walls is the wall…is it tile, painted bead-board, oil based paint, or latex? Is it textured? Is it wall paper, and what type of wall paper?
Probably the very best solution to start with, (that will work for many surfaces and conditions) is good old soap and water. Use a soft sponge or rag. Since shampoo is intended to clean hair you could actually use some of your shampoo mixed with water as well.
One word of caution: Mr. Clean Magic Erasers are not a good option on some walls and surfaces. They can mar and remove the paint or finish.
Styling Tools/Curling Irons
Sometimes the heat our curling irons “set” the hair sprays and hair products a bit more, making it a little more difficult to remove.
Both of the following solutions work quite well. Just be sure the curling iron, or hair appliance, is unplugged and cool.
a) Mixture of Fabric Softener and Water: 1 part Fabric softener and 2 parts water. Use a soft cloth and moisten with this solution. Rub the entire curling iron. Rinse with clean rag.
b) 1 tsp baking soda and 1 tsp shampoo. Using a soft, wet, cloth, rub this mixture on the curling iron. Rinse with clean damp cloth, and dry before plugging in.
c) Rubbing alcohol is another option. Simply place the rubbing alcohol straight onto a clean towel and rub.
If neither of these work, it may be necessary to use some ammonia and water, or something like Goo Gone.There are also commercial products available at beauty supply stores, but they can be a bit “pricey”.
Mirrors
Typically mirrors with hair sprays and other hair products build up on them can be cleaned with a soap and water solution. Rinse and dry/polish with soft dry cloth.
A mixture of water and rubbing alcohol in equal parts will also work for mirrors and tile. I would not use this on some type of wall surfaces.
Brushes/Combs
Soaking the brushes and combs in some hot water mixed with some shampoo and baking soda works very well. To a sink full of water add a tablespoon or so of shampoo and about ¼ cup of baking soda. Swish and mix really well and add the brushes and combs. Let soak for approximately 10 minutes to loosen the buildup. An old toothbrush will work well to clean the teeth of the comb.
If you have any questions, contact Teresa Hunsaker at the Family and Consumer Science Education Department at the Weber County USU Extension office at (801) 399-8203 or online at www.extension.usu.edu/weber
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