Flat Iron Cleaning 101: How to Keep Your Flat Iron Working Like New

If you’d like to extend the life of your straightener, while making sure it’s always performing at its best, you just need to clean it regularly with the right materials and techniques.
Consistency is the key to keeping your flat iron clean!
Don’t worry, we got tips for you! You don’t need expensive or hard-to-find cleaning supplies. With household products that you already have on hand, you can easily clean a flat iron.
These tips will keep your flat iron in perfect condition weather you’re looking for routine cleanses or deep treatments.
Just keep reading and you’ll be an expert at cleaning your flat iron in no time!

How Often Should You Clean Your Flat Iron?

Basically, it’s essential to wipe down the flat iron after each use. This will allow you to remove any hairspray, oils, or other styling products that could build up on the plates and reduce its performance. This is the regular cleaning that will help keep up it’s appearance.
It’s also important to pay attention to signs that your flat iron may need a deep cleaning. These signs can be on the flat iron like stains or discoloration, but they can also show themselves as poor styling results. It’s important to act as soon as you notice these signs and give your flat iron a deep cleanse.
If you are a regular user, we recommend you to deep clean your flat iron every month.
You can deep clean your flat iron less regularly if you’re not a regular user, but not less than every two to three months.
Don’t forget to clean it as often as possible for an easier cleaning experience.

4 signs your flat iron needs deep cleaning

1. Does the flat iron drag rather than glide?
2. Is there a sticky residue left on your hair?
3. Are there dark stains on the plates?
4. Does the flat iron produce a burning odor?

If any of these signs are present, it’s time for deep cleaning. Fortunately, there are several effective and easy ways to do this.

How to deep clean your flat iron

You can apply all of the following steps in order or use the latter in case the previous doesn’t do the trick!

1. Primary Cleansing

Cleaning your flat iron with baking soda is an easy and natural way to keep it in tip-top condition. Baking soda is slightly abrasive, so it breaks down any gunk and grime on the plate without scratching its surfaces.

Step 1: To get started all you need is two tablespoons of baking soda mixed with one tablespoon of water.

Step 2: Ensure the flat iron is completely cooled down.

Step 3: Spread the paste over the plate, then leave in for five minutes up to 10 minutes before wiping away with a damp cloth.

2. Remove Scorch Marks and Stubborn Stains

If you’re dealing with stubborn scorch marks or stains on your flat iron, white vinegar can help!

Step 1: Plug-in the flat iron and set it at its lowest temperature setting. Allowing the iron to heat up for five minutes will help to loosen tough dirt, dust, and grime that has accumulated on the heating plates, making the cleaning process much easier.

Step 2: Before you begin scrubbing, make sure to unplug the iron from the outlet!

Step 3: Mix two parts white vinegar with one part salt in a pot. Now grab your cotton rounds or cloth and apply the paste you’ve created. Gently scrub away any stains or dirt. Be careful not to rub too hard, as this can damage your plates!

Step 4: Once you’re done scrubbing, allow the mixture to cool down for 5-10 minutes before wiping away the paste with a damp cloth.

And just like that, with a little patience and some elbow grease, your flat iron looks shiny and clean once more!

3. Cleaning Those Hard to Reach Places

To tackle those tough-to-clean spots like the lip between the plate and the plastic – this is where dirt and grime accumulate – grab a clean toothbrush, a plastic toothpick, or a cotton swab to give it a concentrated scrub.
Never use a metal product to remove the residues as it can scratch the plate, leaving unsightly marks that are impossible to fix!

5 Household Cleaner Alternatives

Nail polish remover is a powerful solvent that will quickly break down any buildup.

Dip the cotton ball into acetone-based nail polish remover. Then slide it along the hot surface of the iron. As long as you use an oven mitt or heat-protecting glove, you can do this safely.

Remember to take care when using this method though – it’s best to do it outdoors so that you avoid breathing in chemical fumes.

Alcohol is a highly effective disinfectant and cleaner.

Use just a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball to remove any residue, dirt, or grease stuck on the surface. Try to apply it when the iron is warm to hot, as it helps dissolve tough stains and residues.

Baby oil is a great way to lubricate the flat iron and give it some shine.

Simply apply a few drops of baby oil on the surface of the iron and then wipe it off with a soft cloth. The baby oil will remove any small particles or dirt stuck on the surface and give it a glossy finish.

Compressed air is a great way to blow away dust and debris from your flat iron.

Canned compressed air works best for this job. Simply hold the can away from you and direct the air onto the surface of the flat iron. This is a great way to get rid of any dust or dirt particles that are stuck in hard-to-reach places.

Tips for Maintaining Your Straightener

Since your flat iron is clean and shiny, its time to discuss a few tips about maintaining appearance and performance:
1. Give it a quick clean after every use. It’s much easier to clean the residues while they’re still fresh rather than waiting till they’re baked on by the heat.

2. Avoid using a regular flat iron on wet or damp hair. This can damage both your hair and the flat iron. Be sure that your hair is completely dry before using it.

3. Always unplug your flat iron after use and let it cool down before wrapping the cord and putting it away!

4. Store your flat iron away in a dry and dust-free area otherwise it may become dirty or corroded. If you live in a humid climate, it’s a smart idea to invest in a silicone cover, which will help keep moisture out.

5. Replace the cord of the flat iron. It can be dangerous to use if it becomes frayed or cracked.

Wrap Up

Don’t forget to give your flat iron some tender loving care and don’t avoid the signs when they present themselves.
Follow these simple tips and your straightener will keep looking and performing its best and last you for years to come!
You may also like:

what you should keep in mind before buying a hair straightener
the very best way to clean your flat iron

Thanks for reading! We hope you find this helpful.

If you have any questions or tips on how to clean a flat iron, be sure to leave them in the comments below. We would love to hear from you! Happy styling!