Getting perfect, straight hair is simple. All you really need is to determine which flat iron is the best match for you, and you’re good to go.
A good flat iron is an investment that is worthwhile. It can last for years, especially if you know how to treat it right. If you care for it properly, you won’t have to worry about it breaking down and leaving your hair a mess. For your flat iron to work at it’s peak potential, we have a few tips that we recommend you follow.
You should clean the plates of the appliance after every use. There would be no point in owning a straightener unless the blades are in proper working condition, so this is definitely an important thing to do!
Many factors can contribute to buildup on the blades. Dust is probably the primary reason that affects the workings of the blades.
Another problem that affects the blades is the use of hair products. The use of sprays, gels, and other hair products can cause residue and buildup to form a layer on the blades, causing the iron not to work as efficiently as it could. You don’t need to stop using your products before you straighten; all you need to remember to do is to clean after each use.
The most important thing to remember before cleaning is to wait for the blades to fully cool down. Never attempt to clean while the flat iron is still hot – this could cause damage to your iron, and more importantly you could really hurt yourself.
Once the iron has cooled down, use a soft cloth and a spray meant for hair tools. Any hair supply store will sell this cleaning spray. It is best not to use a general cleaning spray such as Windex or Glass Plus, as these can damage the blades even more and render the iron unusable.
Another tip to caring for your hair straightener (and other appliances) is to store it in a heat resistant bag. Again, you should be able to find this item anywhere that you would be able to buy hair supplies and tools. This is a very practical buy, and doesn’t cost that much. It's also great for travel. If your flat iron isn’t fully cooled down yet and you need to travel somewhere with it, you can just place it in the heat resistant bag and you’re good to go. This way you won’t have to worry about catching anything on fire. If you don’t own one of these storage and travel bags, another easy option would be to use something like an oven mitt.
Another great use for the travel bag is to use it as a mat for your countertop. Depending on the surface you place the flat iron on, it may burn or leave heat marks. By using the mat, you can cut out the potential damage to household counter tops.
This next tip for proper care is one that many people overlook and don’t realize that it can be damaging to your flat iron. I’ll admit, I’ve even done it in the past and had no idea that it was wrong. When storing your flat iron, do not wrap the cord around the barrel. This could actually cause the cord to become damaged and you could end up losing the connection of the power supply to the appliance. You can still loop the cord up so it doesn’t get tangled, but instead of wrapping it around the barrel, just leave it on the side.
Again, the heat resistant bag can be helpful here to store the flat iron and cord and not have anything get jumbled up.
One last tip that is very helpful for your flat iron is to unplug it after every use. This is very simple to do, and doesn’t take any extra time. It is also useful as a precaution in case you forget to turn it to the off position before leaving the house. By unplugging it, you can ensure safety and you will also be helping save energy.
The most important thing to remember before cleaning is to wait for the blades to fully cool down. Never attempt to clean while the flat iron is still hot – this could cause damage to your iron, and more importantly you could really hurt yourself.
