How do you keep your hair straightener clean?
Regardless of your hair type, a new hair straightener will do wonders in styling it. But after using it for a while, it will stop heating quickly as it used to as well as make a weird burning smell while using it. What most people may not understand is that the reason for this is dirt and other substance buildups on the hair straightener plates. The buildup could be from styling products, shampoo residues or oils in your hair.
What you need to restore the performance of the hair straightener is cleaning it. If you are doing it for the first time, don’t worry. We’ve rounded up some of the best and most effective hair straightener cleaning tips for you.
Here are the top 10 tips on how to clean your hair straightener.
1 . Heat Your Hair Straightener
One of the best tips for cleaning your hair straightening is heating it. Turn on the device on the lowest setting and let it heat up. The heat will help to loosen the buildup on the plates, making it easy to clean them off. It is a crucial step that allows you to work on the build-up with a lot of ease. However, it is important to note that you shouldn’t allow it to over-heat. Therefore, we recommend that you turn it off after heating and allow it to cool for a couple of minutes. You can place it on a heat resistant mat or a hand towel
2. Wipe Buildup With A Towel
Use a damp paper towel to wipe the flat iron when still warm. That is because a wet towel will not burn from the heated plates. With most of the buildup already dislodged, it is very to wipe them off using a damp cloth. However, tiny spaces exist between the plates where the towel cannot reach. So for thorough cleaning of the hair straightener, you need to use a cotton swab to get to those spaces and wipe the residues.
3. Alcohol
In some cases, you could be dealing with a stubborn build up. Therefore, water may not be the best solution to clean off the plates. Then you need alcohol as the best alternative to clean hair straightener plates. However, you cannot apply the same method of dipping a towel as used with water. Unlike water, alcohol of combustive hence needs to be used sparingly. You, therefore, wet the towel or a piece of cloth with a few drops of alcohol. Also, ensure that you don’t scrape the straightener roughly as this can lead to ruining of the plates.
4. Use Acetone
Some hair straighteners may have accumulated a lot of buildups. Therefore, you might need a strong remover to clean them. If that is the case, the best option you can easily get is acetone. This works perfectly in removing stubborn dirt buildup and residues. However, you need to use properly and in the right amount for a thorough cleaning.
5. Nail polish remover
Nail polish remover can be an excellent substitute for acetone. It is preferred since it’s a common household item. However, you need to get the procedure right. To remove the buildup, first, soak the whole grime for about 30 minutes before rubbing and wiping with a washcloth.
6. Sodium bicarbonate
Also commonly known as baking soda, it is also a common household product. It has excellent cleaning properties that make it a perfect hair straightener cleaner. To get the best results, first, blend a thin paste through mixing the baking soda with water. Then dip a piece of cotton in the mixture and apply in on the hair straightener’s plates. Follow this with through rubbing and wiping. This will get rid of most of the residues on the plate.
7. Lemon Juice
Lemon is another readily available product in our homes. Most people use it for cleaning of a number of items in the kitchen. When using it with a hair straightener, first soak a clean piece of cloth in it and use the cloth to cover the plates. Allow it about 20 minutes to absorb the dirt and residue on the plates. Follow this with a gentle rubbing using a nail brush.
8. Toothbrush or Magic Eraser
Some spots on the hair straightener prove difficult to remove using a piece of cloth or cotton ball to rub. You can use a toothbrush, or a magic eraser to get rid of these tough stains. While using a toothbrush or steel wool, gently scrub these areas to avoid ruining the plates. A toothbrush becomes more effective when one requires to reach tiny spaces between the plates. The advantage of magic erasers is that they comprise a combination of melamine, sodium bisulfate, formaldehyde, and water. These substances have excellent cleaning properties hence efficient for stubborn build-up removal.
9. Cream Relaxers
The typical application of cream relaxer includes the straightening of curly hair. However, you can also use cream relaxers clean your hair straightener. While using the relaxer, first apply an even layer of the cream relaxer on the plates while still unplugged. Plug the hair straightener and allow it to heat for about 15 minutes in the lowest setting. Turn off the power, unplug the flat iron and let it cool completely. Finally, remover the cream with a wet cloth.
10. Use Steel Wool Pad
For most people, steel is only used in the kitchen to clean cooking pots. You can as well use it for the cleaning of hair straightener plates, especially when dealing with stubborn build up. However, it should be used gently to ensure that you are not scratching the plates.
These are the 10 best tips on how to clean your hair straightener. Note that stubborn buildups accumulate when your hair straightener is left for long periods without cleaning, especially if you use keratin or other ‘wet’ products. Therefore, we recommend regular cleaning of these devices to keep them in good order.