Leah LOVES hair. So much so, she dedicated an entire website to it! One of the founders of Hair Everyday and Chief Editor, Leah enjoys reviewing all the hair products and showcasing the best. She believes her most underrated articles are her hair care tips!
It’s not enough to know how to take care of your hair, you need to know how to clean a flat iron too!
I’m sure most of you who use flat irons look up the rules to be followed when using one.
From using heat protectant spray on your hair to controlling the temperature to using it on damp hair.
While we are so careful about looking into every aspect of hair care when using a flat iron, most of us fail to look into the “taking care” aspect of the flat iron itself!
Related: How to Clean Hairbrushes and Combs Properly
Related: How To Sharpen Hair Clipper Blades
Do you sometimes notice that your flat iron isn’t working too well or isn’t doing its job effectively and you have then just decided to get yourself a new one?
Well, how about you consider the fact that the flat iron may be underperforming because it has become a home to all the dirt, grime, product buildup, and residue over time, which hasn’t been cleaned off, maybe ever!
Yes, you read that right! Flat irons too do require cleaning and there are simple ways you can do it, at home.
How To Clean A Flat Iron At Home 2022
Flat iron cleaning with cotton and rubbing alcohol
Things you will need:
- Cotton ball or cotton pad
- Rubbing alcohol
- A damp cloth
- A dry cloth
Method:
Let your flat iron be cooled down completely and unplugged before you work on it.
Then, dip a cotton ball or a cotton pad into the rubbing alcohol (do not let the liquid drip) and rub it all over the surface of the iron plates, making sure you cover up all the surface area.
Next, discard that cotton ball and repeat this process using a fresh one.
Once the cleaning process is over, take a damp cloth (not a wet cloth) and rub it all over the surface of the iron plates until all the rubbing alcohol solution has been wiped away.
Lastly, take a dry cloth and wipe off the iron plates to make them free from any wetness.
Flat iron cleaning with cotton and acetone (nail polish remover)
Things you will need:
- Cotton ball or cotton pad
- Acetone or nail polish remover
- Warm water
- A damp cloth
- A dry cloth
Method:
Let your flat iron be cooled down completely and unplugged before you work on it.
Then, dip a cotton ball or a cotton pad into the acetone or nail polish remover (do not let the liquid drip) and rub it all over the surface of the iron plates, making sure you cover up all the surface area.
Another way you could do this is by using a liquid dropper to drop a few drops of acetone or nail polish remover onto the iron plates and then rubbing it all over the surface of the plates using a cotton ball.
Then discard that cotton ball and repeat this process using a fresh one.
Once the cleaning process is over, soak a cloth in warm water for a few minutes and then squeeze the cloth until it is just damp (and not dripping) and rub it all over the surface of the iron plates until all the acetone has been wiped away.
Lastly, take a dry cloth and wipe off the iron plates to make it free from any wetness.
Flat iron cleaning with baking soda
Baking soda has mild abrasive properties and can be an effective method to clean the iron plates, if you are one who hasn’t cleaned your flat iron in a long time.
Things you will need:
- Baking soda
- Warm water
- Lemon juice
- A damp cloth
- A dry cloth
Method:
Let your flat iron be cooled down completely and unplugged before you work on it. Then, into a small mixing bowl, add in 2 teaspoons of baking soda, a few drops of warm water, and a few drops of lemon juice and mix it into a fine and thick paste.
Then apply this paste evenly all over the plates and let it sit for 5 to 7 minutes, to let all the dirt and product buildup loosen up completely.
Then, dip a cloth in warm water for a few minutes, squeeze out the water, and let it be damp (not dripping).
Use the damp cloth to gently remove all of the baking soda paste from the plates. Repeat this process two times until all the baking soda paste is removed and the plates are clean.
Lastly, using a dry cloth, clean the surface of the plates to ensure there are no remnants or any sort of wetness.
Clean your flat iron with warm water
If you’re a person who already cleans your flat iron often or does not use your flat iron very often, then either way you can just use this simple method which doesn’t require too much an effort.
Things you will need:
- Warm water
- A damp cloth
- A dry microfiber cloth
Method:
Let your flat iron be cooled down completely and unplugged before you work on it.
Next, all you need to do is, dip a cloth into some warm water for a few minutes and then squeeze out all the water until you find that the cloth is damp (and not dripping). Then, gently clean off the whole surface of the plates well.
Lastly, use a dry microfiber cloth and rub the entire surface of the plates well, until it is completely dry.
General after-use cleaning of flat irons – (how to clean buildup on hair straightener)
If you’re one of those people who likes to get your jobs done immediately or maybe someone who just likes to see things clean, this ones for you. This is a general hack to use after every use of your flat iron.
Things you will need:
- An all-purpose cleaning solution or spray
- A damp cloth
- A dry paper towel
Method:
This one’s easy. All you need to do is after you have used your flat iron, unplug it and let it cool down for a few minutes (but do not let it cool down completely, like in the other cleaning methods).
Then, dip a cloth into an all-purpose cleaning solution and rub it all over the plates of your flat iron. Repeat this process two times.
Another method you could use is, just spray some all-purpose cleaning solution over the plates, wipe it off with a damp cloth and then repeat this process another time, so that the plates are cleaned properly.
Lastly, take a dry paper towel and wipe the entire surface of the plates to make sure it is completely dry.
How To Clean A Flat Iron After Lice
Lice can be spread through a variety of means (including contact with hair, clothing, or bedding). However, one effective way to clean a flat iron after lice is to place it in a bucket of cold water and soap. Let it soak for a few minutes, then use a brush to scrub the surfaces clean. Finally, dry the iron off with a towel.
But if you’re still worried about contamination then here are a few other methods you can try to clean your flat iron after a lice infestation.
There are a few things that you can do in order to clean a flat iron after lice:
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best way to clean your hair straightener after getting lice will vary depending on the type of hair straightener you have and the severity of the infestation. However, some tips that may help include:
- Use a mild shampoo – If your hair straightener has a removable plates or filters, try using a mild shampoo to remove any lice eggs or larvae that may be hidden on the plates or filters.
- Rinse thoroughly – After cleansing the hair straightener with a mild shampoo, rinse the plates thoroughly with cold water to remove any remaining lice eggs or larvae.
- Dry the hair straightener completely – Make sure the hair straightener is completely dry before storing it away in a clean, dry location. This is very important as wetness can damage your flat iron.
- You can also use sanitizing wipes or cotton dipped in rubbing alcohol to wipe down your flat iron if you’re worried about water damaging the straightener.
FAQs – How To Clean A Flat Iron
Before we get into the methods of cleaning, here are the answers to some frequently asked questions –
#1 – How often do you need to clean your flat iron?
Well, if you are someone who uses your flat iron on a regular basis, then an ideal requirement of cleaning would be at least once a month.
But, if you aren’t a regular user of your flat iron, you could do it whenever you begin to see visible dirt or product buildup on the plates.
It is important to note that, if you are a person who uses a lot of hair products on a regular basis.
And also make use of your flat iron to style your hair while the products are in your hair, more frequent cleaning of your flat iron is recommended.
#2 – How do you know if your flat iron is underperforming?
When the product is new, the heating and efficiency of the product will be at its maximum.
Over time, with use, your flat iron may take a long time to get heated or may not heat up as expected.
This could either mean that your flat iron is too old or maybe it requires to be cleaned, as dirt, grime or product buildup has covered its plates and reduced its efficacy.
#3 – Do you need to heat up the flat iron before cleaning it?
Yes, heating your flat iron for around 5 minutes, turning it off and letting it sit for another 5 minutes to cool down, would be ideal, as heating it will help loosen up the dirt, grime or product buildup coating the plates.
Caution:
· Do not clean the flat iron when it is plugged in or when it is still very hot.
· Do not use your flat iron right after it has been cleaned, until the surface of the plates is completely dry.
#4 – How do you know if your flat iron needs to be discarded?
It is important to keep a check on your flat iron plates.
Over time and over use, the plates could get scratched, worn out, corroded or can even be lifted off.
There could also be a possibility of it not getting heated up once turned on. These are all signs that your flat iron may need to be changed.
The final takeaway
For those who find it hard to clean your flat irons, all you need to do is clean one plate (one side) at a time and then repeat the same process over the other.
Cleaning your plates regularly (as per your usage) will be ideal in order to ensure the best efficiency and working of your flat iron.
Lastly, remember to follow the safety tips whenever you clean your flat iron.
Also Read:
How to curl short hair with a flat iron
To Summarize
