How To Clean A Flat Iron: 4 Easy DIY Methods + Maintenance Tips

Why Should You Clean Your Flat Iron?

According to a survey that gathered worldwide responses from 11,132 participants that aimed to capture insights on using hair styling tools across different regions globally. The data revealed that approximately 40% of women worldwide reported utilizing a hair straightener/flat iron. It also showed that it marked a 5% increase from the data collected in 2015 which was 35%.

Flat irons gather dirt, grime, and product residue from heat protectants and hair styling products. So, it is essential to clean your hair tools regularly to remove all the accumulated build-up. This build-up can damage the plates over time and reduce their ability to heat up properly, thus reducing the efficiency of the tool. You can also end up with limp, greasy hair, or scalp build-up.

Quick Tip

Using a dirty flat iron may damage your hair indirectly through longer exposure to heat.

How To Clean A Flat Iron

There are multiple ways to clean a flat straightening iron using cleaning agents that you may already have at home. Scroll down to check them out!

Caution: Make sure your flat iron is switched off and unplugged before you start cleaning it.

1. How To Clean A Flat Iron With Alcohol

You Will Need

• A soft cloth
• Rubbing alcohol

Process

1. Spray rubbing alcohol on the plates of the flat iron.
2. Wait for 2-5 minutes for the product residue to melt and break down.
3. Gently wipe the plates with a soft, damp cloth to remove all the build-up.
4. Let it dry. Use as usual.

Note: Avoid using alcohol when the flat iron is hot or plugged in.

Linzi, a vlogger, shares her tip for cleaning a straightener with alcohol. When using the cotton ball, she advises, “Rub gently, and it will come clean, and on the backside, there’s just buildup. You do want to take that off because then your hair will glide a lot easier when you’re trying to curl and will be fairly clean (i).”

Quick Tip

To deep clean your flat iron, heat it up to the lowest setting till it has warmed up. Unplug and wait for a few seconds before wiping the plates down with a cotton pad soaked in rubbing alcohol. Give it another wipe-down with a clean towel after the alcohol has dried up.

2. How To Clean A Flat Iron With Nail Polish Remover

You Will Need

• Nail polish remover
• A cotton pad
• A soft cloth

Process

1. Soak the cotton pad with nail polish remover.
2. Wipe the plates of the flat iron with the cotton pad.
3. Wait for 2-5 minutes for the product residue to break down.
4. Gently wipe the plates of the flat iron with a soft, damp cloth to remove all the dirt and grime.
5. Let the flat iron dry for some time before using it again.

3. How To Clean A Flat Iron With Relaxer Cream

• Relaxer cream
• A damp cloth

Process

1. Use the damp cloth to wipe off all the product residue and dirt from the flat iron.
2. Apply a thin layer of relaxer cream on the plates of the flat iron.
3. Use the damp cloth to remove the cream after 3-5 minutes.

4. How To Clean A Flat Iron Using A DIY Method

• An old toothbrush
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• Vinegar
• A damp cloth

Process

1. Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with just enough vinegar to make a thick paste.
2. Apply this paste on the plates of the hair straightener.
3. Wait for 2-5 minutes for the dirt and build-up to loosen.
4. Gently scrub the build-up using an old toothbrush.
5. Wipe the plates down with a damp cloth.
6. Let the flat iron dry and use it as usual.

The best way to ensure you don’t accumulate product build-up on the flat iron is to clean it regularly. Find out how in the section below.

Best Way To Clean A Flat Iron: Daily Maintenance

The simplest and most hassle-free way to clean your hair straightener regularly is to use a soft, damp cloth to wipe off the excess residue.

You Will Need

• Drinking water (make sure that it is not hard water as this can cause additional build-up on the flat iron)
• A soft cloth
• A cotton pad

Process

1. Heat up your flat iron at the lowest setting.
2. Switch it off and unplug it.
3. Use a damp cloth to wipe off all the product residue and dirt.
4. Wipe the plates down with a cotton pad to remove any trace of dirt or moisture.

Pro-tip: Use Q-tips to clean those hard-to-reach edges.

Wondering how often to clean your hair straighteners? Keep reading to find out!

When Should You Clean Your Flat Iron?

You should clean your flat iron when:

• You notice any product residue on the plates.
• The iron starts taking longer to heat up.
• Your hair starts looking dull, limp, or greasy right after straightening it.
• You start experiencing itching and product build-up on your scalp.
• A burning smell starts emanating from the plates due to the melting of the product build-up.

You can clean your flat iron daily with a damp cloth or simply wipe the plates down once a week with a wet wipe. However, it is best to deep clean it once a month for the best results.

Infographic: Tips For Cleaning A Flat Iron Properly

Cleaning your flat iron regularly gives good results every time you use it. While there are several ways to clean it, you should be careful while doing so as the smallest mistake can damage the device. Scroll down and check out the infographic for some simple tips on cleaning your flat iron properly.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my hair smell burnt when I flat iron it?

Your hair might smell burnt while using a flat iron because of product residue that is getting burnt. Or it could be because of hair damage due to heat. Heat is bad for hair. Therefore, be careful with the temperature – start with the lowest possible temperature.

Can I use hydrogen peroxide to clean my flat iron?

Yes. A mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide is used as a homemade solution to clean flat irons.

Can you remove rust from flat iron?

Yes. You may use vinegar to remove rust and water stains from flat irons. Use cotton swabs to dab the vinegar on the rust to break it down, and gently scrub with steel wool to remove residual stains. However, be careful not to use too much vinegar that could seep into the iron’s electric parts and ruin it.

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Joanne FortuneLicensed Cosmetologist & Hairstylist

   

Joanne Fortune has been in the beauty industry for 11 years. She studied Cosmetology at Bellus Academy right after graduating high school and obtained a California cosmetology license thereafter. She started off with working in a salon setting for a few years only to realize that it was not for her. Now, Joanne specializes in bridal/event hairstyling and hair cutting,...more

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Annie Jangam is a researcher-turned-content writer with 11 years of experience. She enjoys dissecting complex clinical studies and shuffling through the scientific jargon to make science interesting and easy to understand. Her scientific aptitude and love for writing paved the way to pursue a career in writing research-backed articles on skin care and hair care. Her expertise stems from her...more

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Eshna is an associate editor and a certified skin care coach. She has over three years of experience, a triple main bachelor’s degree in psychology, English, and journalism from Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru, and a master’s degree in psychology from Sampurna Montfort College, Bengaluru. Her passion for writing and editing and her background in psychology help her create content that...more

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