Sure, you wash your hair regularly, but when was the last time you cleaned your styling tools? Cleaning experts say it's worth the effort to clean these devices. Regular, thorough cleanings don't take a lot of time, but they keep your hair styling tools working efficiently. You can even extend the life of a device. Old, dirty hair tools also pose a safety risk: They can overheat, causing hair damage and, in some cases, fires. We give you advice on how to clean your styling tools and how often you should do it. There are numerous options and you can do it using simple home remedies.
How often should you clean styling tools?
If you're no longer getting the luscious shine and bounce you used to when using your heat appliances, then now might be the best time to give your appliances a much-needed cleaning. The frequency of cleaning depends on how often you use the device and how much hair styling products you need. Apart from hairdryers, it is important and advisable to clean the curling iron and straightening iron at least once a week to avoid hairspray sticking and stains. That's because heat tools like flat irons and curling irons are prone to oil and product buildup, especially because so many of the ladies use hairspray to set their curls.
Hopefully you use a heat protectant spray on your hair before reaching for a curling iron or flat iron. These sprays coat each strand of hair, protecting it from high temperatures and giving your hair extra shine. They are indeed forhealthy hairessential, but they leave a slight residue on the heated styling devices. These then settle, especially if you use multiple hair products, and form the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and other germs.
You should clean your styling equipment and it's best to do this regularly. If you don't do this, you run the risk of getting burned product back on the hair. If the plates are not clean, there may be greater resistance on the hair, causing overheating. Of course, this isn't good for your strands. The straightener also pulls on the hair, whichleads to hair breakageand causes split ends.
Get clean with a hairdryer
Unless your hairdryer is new or has recently been cleaned, chances are that numerous small particles are clogging the vent and also obscuring the filter. This blocks the ventilation your hair dryer needs to function efficiently and safely. Your blow dryer's vent must be clear as this will prevent it from overheating. To ensure clean and consistent airflow while protecting your hair dryer's motor, regular cleaning is a must. You should clean the filter at least once a month depending on usage.
And this is how it works:
First, unplug your blow dryer and remove the back vent cover. It's usually easy to remove, but if you don't know how to do it, check the instructions that come with the hairdryer. Take out the filter and use either an old toothbrush or a toothpick to clean it. Alternatively, you can wash the filter and filter cap in warm water. Use a damp cloth to wipe down the body and nozzle of your hair dryer. Don't forget to clean the attachments too.
Once everything is clean and dry, put the hairdryer back together. Turn it on and let it run on the lowest setting for a few seconds. This means that small particles that fell into the hairdryer during cleaning can be released and should not be blown back onto your hair. Because that wouldn't be nice if you...Hair just washedhave.
Clean styling equipment – straighteners
Here's what you'll need to get your hair straightener clean again - cotton balls, rubbing alcohol, and a warm, damp cloth. Before cleaning your hair straightener, make sure it is unplugged and completely cooled. Apply a bit of rubbing alcohol to a cotton ball and gently dab it over the panels. Use a rag for any stubborn spots. When you're done, wipe down the entire straightener with the cloth.
If you've found some stubborn residue that won't come off easily, turn on your hair straightener and set it to the lowest heat setting. Then use a microfiber cloth to remove this residue. Be very careful when doing this and wear heat-resistant gloves to protect yourself from burns.
To really clean your curling iron, take a cotton ball, baking soda, and a warm, damp cloth. First, make sure the device is unplugged and has cooled completely. Wipe all surfaces of the curling iron with a damp cloth. Then soak a few cotton balls in rubbing alcohol and gently wipe the rod.
You can make your own disinfectant for stubborn stains. To remove remaining buildup, make a cleaning paste by mixing 40 grams of baking soda and a few drops of hydrogen peroxide. Rub the paste onto the curling iron with your fingers or a soft, old toothbrush. Wipe the device with a damp cloth. Of course, you can also use this paste to clean your straightener. Cleaning your styling tools regularly with home remedies will help your hairhealthy and shinyto stay.
