Often, devices break “by themselves”, and only a few people guess that it is due to improper care. At first glance, it may seem that a hair iron does not require special care, and some do not clean this device at all. This is a big mistake. Let’s consider why and how to clean a hair straightener correctly and effectively.
How often should you clean the curling iron?
When styling their hair, women often use special products – hair gel, foam, varnish. This, in turn, contaminates the iron, leaving plaque particles. This is not only unsightly, but also significantly complicates styling, as it interferes with uniform heating of the tongs and leaves an unpleasant smell along with greasy traces of heated hair.
In order to avoid such troubles, the straightener should be cleaned regularly. This should be done almost after every use (especially this rule applies to greasy or heavily oiled hair for styling).
The easiest way: use a damp, soft towel to curl V-curls on the plates and wait for complete drying. This should be done when the device is disconnected from the network.
- As a prevention of rapid pollution, after each encounter with a new strand of hair, the plates of the curling iron are moistened with water, and alcohol is cleaned of more persistent carbon deposits.
- If the hair is completely dry and practically does not get dirty, the curling iron can be cleaned less often.
- In no case should you peel off the plaque with metal objects, a blade or even nails, as you can easily scratch the surface of the straightener.
- Persistent dirt in the form of boiled-on foam or varnish can be removed by wiping the plates, body and all protrusions with napkins soaked in alcohol and squeezed well. A soapy solution, which is used to wet the cloth and wipe all the parts of the device, also helps.
Caring for an iron with a ceramic coating
The rectifier plates are made not only of metal, but also of ceramics. Abrasives in this case are all the more inadmissible, since, scratching, they automatically disable the ceramic device. Therefore, the use of powders, even the most effective and favorable, is completely excluded. Heated water and a saturated soapy solution easily solve the problem of contamination in most cases. However, even in such a seemingly simple matter, there is an order of manipulation.
- Before cleaning, the iron must be warmed up. This should be done in order to soften the old plaque, since it is difficult to clean the permanent plaque from ceramic plates without damage in a solid, cooled state.
- After the rectifier is heated, it must be turned off from the mains and allowed to cool slightly to the “stable hot” state.
- The terry cloth is soaked in a warm soapy solution and wrung out. Fingers are wrapped around this fabric and carefully wipe the plates of the iron one by one until the dirt completely disappears.
- All old remnants of solid particles of dirt must be cleaned with a cotton swab dipped in the same soapy solution. For the same purpose, you can use a spongy sponge. Do not clean plates with metal devices or needles!
- After the soap, the plates are wiped again with a clean napkin soaked in water without detergents and well wrung out.
- The case itself is often contaminated, as fingerprints remain. In this case, both the case and the cord are also wiped with a clean napkin, and then dried well.
- The final touch: the plates are wiped with a clean, dry cloth and the device is put away for storage.
How to remove heavy pollution
A creamy ceramic tile cleaner will help remove them. It is slightly dripped on the inner surface and carefully rubbed, trying not to clog all the parts of the case. After cleaning, the remains of the cream are removed with a dry napkin, then wiped again.
Sometimes the hair is very greasy and leaves unpleasant marks even after washing. Such dirt can be washed off with dishwashing detergent. A tiny drop of gel will help to wash off the fat from the plates and not damage the fragile surface. This should be done carefully, without smearing the connections on other parts of the device. The remains of the substance are removed with a clean, dry napkin, then everything is finally wiped dry.
Lemon juice or alcohol also copes with capricious stains, it is enough to hold them a little on the surface of the plates. At the same time, you need to remember that the device must be disconnected from the network in advance.
Importantly! Do not use gasoline, kerosene or similar liquids when cleaning ceramics.
Prevention measures
In order for the hair straightener to serve as long as possible, the following rules must be followed.
- When cleaning the straightener, it is necessary to start with the most favorable means, and only after making sure of their ineffectiveness, move to the strongest.
- After each use, the device must be wiped with a cloth soaked in clean water. Such a simple procedure will save you from the accumulation of plaque deposits and, as a result, many problems in the future.
- You cannot use an iron with dirty hair, you must wash your head first.
- After cleaning, the iron must be dried well and only then used again.
- Ceramics cannot be wiped with hard paper – it can be scratched. The maximum you can afford is a paper towel.
- A melamine sponge will help with very heavy contamination, however, you should not get carried away with it after each use.
What not to clean a hair straightener
- Washing powders, like all powders in general.
- Metal objects: needles, scissors, knives, blades, pins, paper clips.
- Hard metal abrasive washcloth for washing dishes.
- Bar soap, not diluted with water.
- Flammable substances, such as gasoline, kerosene.
- A stream of water directed directly at the device.
Cleaning a hair iron is a simple task, however, there are some secrets here as well. By regularly following the above tips, you can extend the life of your favorite device for a few extra years.