Simple Flat Iron Cleaning for Light Debris
Plug in your flat iron and turn it on to the lowest setting. Heating up your flat iron helps loosen up any product residue, oils, or other buildup. This makes it much easier to clean.
Turn off the flat iron, unplug it, and let it cool down slightly. Professional hair stylist Jenny Tran recommends letting your flat iron cool down for about 5 minutes so it’s a “little bit cooler but still kind of warm.” Simply turn off and unplug the flat iron from the outlet, then set it on a heat-resistant mat, hand towel, or other heat-safe surface.
Wipe the flat iron down with a damp microfiber cloth. Hold your hand about 1 inch (2.5 cm) above the flat iron to make sure it has cooled off enough to touch safely. Then, Tran says to dampen a soft, lint-free cloth with warm water. Wipe down the flat iron’s plates, as well as its exterior. Note: Double-check that your flat iron is off and unplugged from the outlet before cleaning it to protect yourself from any potential electrical shocks.
Dry the flat iron with a clean microfiber cloth. Gently wipe down the surface and plates of the flat iron with a dry microfiber cloth. Then, leave your flat iron to cool down completely before storing it away.
Clean your flat iron with a flat iron cleaner as an alternative to water. Some flat iron manufacturers make their own cleaning solutions specifically for hairstyling tools. To use most cleaners, you simply wet a cotton ball or microfiber cloth with the solution and wipe down the flat iron’s plates. Make sure your flat iron is off, unplugged, and cool enough to touch before cleaning it.
Removing Stubborn Residue with Rubbing Alcohol
Unplug your flat iron and ensure it is cool to the touch. If you were just using your flat iron, turn it off and unplug it from the outlet. Then, allow it to cool off for at least 5 minutes so it’s cool enough to touch. If you’re cleaning your flat iron before using it, let it heat up at the lowest setting. Then, unplug it and let it cool down. Heating it first helps loosen stuck-on residue.
Wipe down the iron with rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball. Wet a cotton ball or microfiber cloth with rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. Then, Tran says to wipe down the flat iron’s plates. It might take a few applications to get rid of all of the residue and gunk. Use a cotton swab to clean nooks and crannies and any hard-to-reach spots. Wipe the outside of the flat iron if it has any stuck-on residue, too.
Rinse the flat iron with a damp cloth and let it dry. Dampen a clean microfiber cloth with water and run it over the flat iron to remove the alcohol residue and any leftover grime. Then, wipe the iron with a dry cloth and store it.
Removing Buildup on a Flat Iron with Baking Soda
Turn off and unplug your flat iron, waiting until it’s cool to the touch. Shut off your flat iron and unplug it from the wall. Then, let it cool for about 5 minutes so it’s warm, but cool enough to touch. Warming up your flat iron helps loosen up product residue and oils on the plates. Just make sure your iron is off, unplugged, and cool enough to touch before cleaning.
Mix baking soda and hydrogen peroxide into a paste. Pour ¼ cup (68 g) of baking soda into a bowl. Then, add a squirt of hydrogen peroxide and combine the ingredients until the mixture forms a paste. Baking soda is a mild abrasive that helps dissolve oils and dirt. Hydrogen peroxide is a natural cleaner that kills germs.
Coat the iron’s plates with the paste and let it sit for 10 minutes. Use your fingers to rub the baking soda paste onto the flat iron. Then, leave the paste to work its magic and dissolve the residue for at least 10 minutes.
Rub the paste into the grime with a microfiber cloth. Gently scrub the flat iron’s plates with the paste using a soft, lint-free cloth. Just keep working the paste into the plates until the hair product residue and grime start to lift off. Do not use anything more abrasive than a soft toothbrush to scrub the flat iron. Coarse sponges and other harsh cleaning materials can damage the iron.
Wipe off the paste with a damp cloth and let the iron dry. Moisten a clean microfiber cloth with water and remove all of the paste and residue on the flat iron. Then, wipe it with a dry cloth.
How Often to Clean Your Flat Iron
Clean your flat iron weekly or monthly, depending on your usage. If you regularly use your flat iron, clean it about once per week to remove product residue and oils. If you use your flat iron infrequently, clean it about once per month or whenever you notice buildup. Clean your flat iron whenever you notice it’s not working as well as it usually does, too.
Why Cleaning Your Flat Iron is Important
Regular cleaning keeps your flat iron working well. Hair product residue, oils, and other debris can cause your flat iron to heat inconsistently so it doesn’t straighten your hair as well. Product buildup can also make it harder for your iron to heat up and damage its plates, which reduces its lifespan.
Cleaning protects your hair from damage. Hair product buildup and grime can catch in your hair as you use your flat iron, which can lead to breakage, split ends, and frizziness. If your flat iron isn’t working as well, you might go over your hair multiple times, which can cause heat damage. Always apply a heat protectant spray onto your hair before straightening it or using other hot tools. This helps reduce heat damage.
It prevents residue from transferring onto your hair. When you use a flat iron coated with product buildup and oils, the debris tends to stick to your hair. This can cause your hair to look limp, greasy, and dull. After using a flat iron, your hair should look shiny, healthy, and smooth.
Maintaining Your Flat Iron
Store your flat iron in a cool, dry place. After using your flat iron, turn it off, unplug it, and let it cool all the way down. Then, wrap up the cord and keep the iron in a spot that stays cool and isn’t exposed to moisture and other products, like a drawer or cabinet. Alternatively, store your flat iron in a heat-resistant bag or pouch. Excess heat and moisture can damage your flat iron and limit its lifespan.
Don’t clean your flat iron with harsh and abrasive products. Abrasive sponges and other cleaning tools can scratch your flat iron, causing it to work less effectively. Harsh chemicals like bleach can also erode and damage the iron’s plates. Stick to using soft materials, like microfiber cloths, and gentle solutions, like rubbing alcohol, when cleaning your flat iron.
Use less hair products when straightening your hair. To keep your flat iron from getting coated with hair products and oils, limit how many you use before you straighten your hair. If possible, apply hair spray, styling creams, and other products once your hair is straight. Tip: Do apply a heat protectant spray on your hair before using your flat iron (and other hot tools). Heat can damage your hair and make it look dull, which the protectant helps minimize.
Replace your flat iron when it smokes or won’t get clean. If the residue won’t come off your flat iron, no matter how hard you scrub, it’s likely time to get a new tool. Likewise, a flat iron that continues to smoke or smell after you clean it is a sign to replace it with a new one.
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