How to Maintain Your Flat Iron

Keeping your hair tools clean is essential to prolonging their lifespan. Curling irons and flat irons are particularly prone to accumulating residue, often leading to a sticky mess. Using a dirty flat iron or hair straightener can transfer this residue onto your hair, potentially causing corrosion on the plates and resulting in hair snagging and breakage. To avoid these issues, we consulted hairstylists for the best methods to clean a flat iron—whether it’s a quick wipe-down or a deep cleanse.

How Often to Clean a Flat Iron

Celebrity hairstylist Nick Stenson suggests cleaning your flat iron with a soft cloth, ideally a microfiber cloth, at least once a week if you use it daily. For a more thorough approach, wiping it down after each use can prevent product buildup. If you use your flat iron less frequently, a deep clean once a month should suffice. To determine whether your flat iron needs cleaning, inspect the plates for visible residue, which often accumulates from leave-in treatments, oils, heat protectants, and hairsprays.

Considerations Before You Get Started

Before cleaning your flat iron, ensure that it is unplugged and only slightly warm to the touch. Clean the hot tool away from the sink or any beauty or hair care products to prevent it from getting wet or dirty again. This advice applies to other heat-styling tools such as curling irons, curling wands, crimpers, and hot combs.

How to Clean a Flat Iron with a Soft Cloth

The simplest and quickest method to clean a flat iron is by wiping it down with a soft cloth after it has cooled down. This will remove any residue, grease, or hairs that may have accumulated during use. No additional products are typically required for this method.

1. Wipe Mostly Cooled Plates: Wait for the flat iron to cool until it’s just slightly warm, then use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe away any residue along the edges of the plates.
2. Check for Residue: After wiping down the plates, check for any remaining residue. If necessary, dampen the cloth with warm water and repeat the wiping process.

Always use a clean microfiber cloth for cleaning your hot tools, and avoid reusing the same cloth for subsequent cleanings, even if it appears to be relatively residue-free.

How to Deep Clean a Flat Iron

For more stubborn residue, a deeper cleaning may be necessary. While you cannot immerse electrical tools in water, you can introduce a mild cleaning solution and, in some cases, use a gentle scrubbing tool like a toothbrush.

What You Need:

• Gentle shampoo or alternative cleaning solution
• Toothbrush
• Spray bottle
• Water
• Microfiber cloth

1. Add a Drop of Cleaning Product: Once the flat iron has cooled down, follow the steps for cleaning with a soft cloth. Then, add a small amount of cleaning solution and use a toothbrush to gently scrub away any buildup until the plates or barrel are clean.
2. Gently Rinse Off the Cleaning Product: Since you cannot submerge hot tools in water, mist the flat iron with a spray bottle filled with water to remove any shampoo or cleaning solution residue. Wipe away the water and repeat the misting process as needed until the solution is completely removed.
3. Wipe Dry: After removing moisture from the hot tool, wipe it dry with a clean microfiber cloth. Allow it to air dry thoroughly before storing it in a clean, dry place to prevent external damage or moisture buildup.

Tips to Keep a Flat Iron Clean Longer

If your flat iron remains covered in stubborn residue or exhibits signs of malfunctioning, it may be time for a replacement. Discard any hot tool that emits smoke or unpleasant odors when turned on, or if the plates appear corroded. To maintain your flat iron’s cleanliness and functionality:

• Wipe it down after each use, regardless of whether your hair has product in it.
• Wait for the flat iron to fully cool down before storing it away from moisture and other products.
• Minimize the amount of product in your hair before using the flat iron.
• Perform a detailed cleaning once a month, paying attention to grooves and using cotton swabs as needed.
• Check and clean the cord, plug, and power button regularly to ensure optimal performance.