How To Clean Your Straightener

You probably keep your skincare tools squeaky clean to avoid breakouts on your skin, but what about your haircare tools? 

Whether you’re addicted to that shiny, sleek, just-straightened look, or only switch on your iron for special occasions, it’s important to take good care of your tools so they always deliver the best possible performance.

This blog guides you through all the tips and tricks you need to clean and maintain your CLOUD NINE hair straightener.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO CLEAN YOUR STRAIGHTENER

It’s not always obvious at first glance, but hair straighteners can harbour product build-up, dirt, and germs. If not regularly removed, these can damage your hair and impact the performance of your iron. 

Cleaning your straightener regularly can help to:

Prevent damage to your hair

From sprays and gels to oils and serums, the more products you add to your hair before styling, the more build-up on your hair straightener. This means more nasty bits for your hair to get snagged on, risking breakage and split ends. CLOUD NINE straighteners come with Spring-Flex™ technology to prevent snagging, but this only works if you keep your straightener clean and well cared for.

Banish bacteria

A build-up of natural and product oils can harbour bacteria. When you switch on and use your straightener, this can transfer to your hair, creating bad smells and leaving your hair looking lank, greasy and unhealthy. Some forms of bacteria can even irritate your scalp, causing redness, dandruff, and excess sebum production.

Maintain optimal performance

Any oils and debris that build up on the plates of your hair straightener create a barrier between the plate and your hair, reducing the efficiency of the heat conductivity and resulting in less efficient straightening power. Heat distribution may become uneven, forcing you to go over the same piece of hair several times to achieve the desired effect, which can increase your chances of heat damage.

Keep your straightener going for longer

Build-up isn’t just gross, it can also damage the plates of your straightener. The combination of the chemicals in products with the heat of the plates can have a corrosive effect in some cases, wearing away at the ceramic and Sericite that make your CLOUD NINE straightener’s plates perform at their best. Cleaning this off preserves the performance of your iron for every styling session.

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR STRAIGHTENER 

Now you know why it’s so vital to keep your straightener squeaky clean, you’ll be wondering how you can incorporate hair tool hygiene into your routine. Here are some simple dos and don’ts to follow when cleaning your straightener.

Dos:

• Unplug and cool down your straightener before attempting to clean it, to avoid burning yourself.
• Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe over the handle and plates. Microfibre material is great for getting into any nooks and crannies.
• Focus on the plates when cleaning, as these have the most contact with your hair and are likely to have the most build-up.
• Use isopropyl alcohol to remove stubborn build-up. This is also known as surgical spirit and can be found at most pharmacies. 
• Dry your straightener thoroughly after cleaning and before your next use.

Don’ts

• Don’t submerge any part of your straightener in water. This is incredibly dangerous and can damage the electrical components.
• Don’t use abrasive cleaners or sharp objects when cleaning. This can scratch and wear away at your straighteners’ plates.
• Don’t ignore the cord. Clean this with a clean, damp cloth or antibacterial wipe.
• Don’t use oil-based products. These will only add to the build-up that’s already on your straightener and leave it slippery and hard to grip.
• Don’t plug your straightener in immediately after cleaning. Wait for it to air dry to ensure safety and optimal performance.

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR HAIR STRAIGHTENER

All CLOUD NINE straighteners are designed with long-term haircare in mind, and come with a three-year warranty as standard. However, there are some steps you can take to help extend the life of your favourite styling tools so they keep delivering high-performance year after year.

Cool down safely

After using your CLOUD NINE straightener, make sure you bring it back to room temperature slowly and safely. We recommend using the included Protective Heat Guard to prevent damage to both your surfaces and your iron.

Store correctly

The plates of your CLOUD NINE straightener are high-performing and packed with tech, so it’s important to keep them protected when not in use. Keep the plug of your straightener away from the plates to avoid scratches, and do not wrap the cord around the body, as this can create tension, causing it to fray and split inside.

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR STRAIGHTENER BRUSH

Just like straighteners, hot styling brushes like the CLOUD NINE Hot Brush need love too. In addition to the dos and don’ts mentioned earlier, there are a few extras tips for showing your Hot Brush some TLC.

Remove hair from the bristles. 

Just like a regular hairbrush, strands of fallen hair will get caught on your CLOUD NINE Hot Brush. Don’t leave these to build up into a matted layer, as it will impact your tool’s performance. Remove them gently with your fingers before cleaning your Hot Brush.

Use a soft cloth to wipe the bristles and body

Handle your Hot Brush gently when cleaning it, especially the bristles. A damp cloth or an antibacterial wipe is perfect for catching any dirt or residue trapped between the bristles, without risking damage.

Don’t use metal tools to clean the bristles

The bristles of your CLOUD NINE Hot Brush are specially designed with Hair Tame Tessellation™ technology to handle your hair gently, with the perfect amount of pull. Poking at them with metal tools could not only leave scratches, but also alter the precisely calculated angles they sit at, impacting performance.

Don’t use the Hot Brush on wet hair

The CLOUD NINE Hot Brush isn’t a hair dryer, it’s a second-day styling tool designed to keep hair smoother for longer, and should only be used on dry hair. Using it on wet hair can cause damage to your hair and the tool.

HAIR STRAIGHTENER CLEANING FAQS

If you’ve still got questions about how to keep your straightener looking and performing good as new, this is the section for you.

How often should I clean my straightener?

How often you use your hair straightener will dictate how often it needs to be cleaned. If you’re a regular user, a weekly clean is a good idea. If you only straighten your hair every once in a while, a monthly clean is probably enough. If you notice any bad smells or visible build up, it’s a good sign that it’s time to show your iron some TLC. 

Why does my hair straightener smell?

You might notice a nasty smell coming from your hair straightener if it hasn’t been cleaned in a while and has developed a lot of dirt and build-up which can cause bacteria growth. To banish the odour, clean your hair straightener with a clean, damp cloth and a solution of rubbing alcohol or vinegar, which has natural antibacterial properties.

How can I remove stubborn residue from my straightener?

To remove stubborn residue from your hair straightener, apply a solution of rubbing alcohol, baking soda or vinegar with clean, damp cloth in gentle circular motions. Do not scratch or scrape at the plates with your fingernails or any other tool, as this can cause damage.

Why does my hair straightener look burnt?

If your hair straightener plates look burnt, it’s a surefire sign that you’re using it at an excessively high temperature, which is causing any product you are using to burn when it comes into contact with the plates. This greatly increases your chance of heat damage. To learn the perfect temperature for your hair and avoid unnecessary damage for the shiniest, sleekest results, consult our Temperature Calculator.

Now you’ve got all our tips and tricks for keeping your hair straightener working like brand new, whatever the style you’re creating. A clean and well-cared-for iron makes healthy and shiny hair.

Upgrade your straightening routine with a brand-new CLOUD NINE straightener. Shop the full collection.

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