A hair straightener is an essential device that most ladies cannot do without it. From curling and straightening to smoothing, hair straighteners can do wonder to your hair. However, if you want your hair straightener to take good care of your hair and smell good, you need to take good care of it by ensuring that it has regularly cleaned. However, In this article, you will know how to clean a hair straightener that smells.
Hair straighteners usually accumulate a lot of oil, dirt, dust, resin, and much more on the heating plate that prevents them from working efficiently as it used to. Regular cleaning of hair straightener is crucial as it helps to ensure that all residues that have accumulated on the heating plate are removed, thus allowing the unit to operate efficiently and smoothly as it used to. In this post, are going to give you step by step guide on how to clean a hair straightener that smells.
Why is hair straightener cleaning necessary?
Residue buildup on the heating plates reduces the unit’s heating time. This means that you will use more time and electricity to make your hair. Additionally, chemicals from hair products that settle in the heating plate can react, thus reducing its life and efficacy. Residue buildup also makes the device to release an unpleasant smell that makes the entire process of doing your hair horrible. Regular cleaning of the hair straightener will ensure that all residues built up on the heating plate are removed for the smooth functioning of your hair straightener. It also ensures that the bad odor is removed and replaced with a pleasant smell, thus making your hair enjoyable.
Step by step guide on how to clean a hair straightener that smells
Things that you will need
- Warm water
- A soft cloth or towel
- Rubbing alcohol
- Hydrogen peroxide
Step one: Plug in the hair straightener in the wall socket.
You probably thought that the first process is unplugging the unit from the wall socket. However, that is not the case with a hair straightener. The first thing that you need to do is plug in your hair straightener on the wall socket then put the lowest setting. Allow the unit to heat up for about 5 minutes. The heat-up process is vital as it helps to loosen any severe buildup and grime that may have stuck on the heating plate. This will make the entire cleaning process much easier.
Step two: Unplug the unit from the wall socket and turn it off.
Once all the stubborn dirt, dust, and grime that have stuck in the heating plate have loosened up, then the next process is turning it off and unplugging it from the wall socket. Wrap the hair straightener with a heat resistant hand towel and let it cool off for about 5-10 minutes. Wrapping it with a heat resistant hand towel will help to prevent it from burning wood or plastic surface on the counter.
Step three: Wipe the entire hair straightener with a hand towel
Once you are satisfied that the hair straightener has cool off completely, use a hand towel to clean all surfaces of the hair straightener. This is the necessary cleaning and will help to remove dirt, dust, debris, hair, and grime that have stuck on the unit’s surface. Use a suitable cleaning detergent to help remove all stubborn dirt and grime.
Step four: Rub the hair straightener with an alcohol
Regular detergent may not remove all residue that has stuck on the heating plate. The best way to remove the remaining residue buildup is by wiping the hair straightener with alcohol using a cotton ball. Before you rub the alcohol on the heating plates, ensure that the hair straightener has cooled off completely. Use q-tips to clean the crannies and nooks. Once you are done, clean the unit using a clean cloth and water to remove all traces of alcohol. Washing the hair straightener with alcohol will help to remove all stubborn dirt, dust, debris, and grime that were not removed while cleaning with the detergent.
Step five: Prepare a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda.
Mix hydrogen peroxide with about 1/4 cup of soda until the mixture looks like a paste, gently rub the paste in the heating plate using your fingers. This will help remove hairspray, greasy buildup, and other hair products from the heating plate that is causing the foul smell. Leave the paste for about five minutes before removing it with a clean towel and water.
Step five: Use a toothbrush to remove all hiding dirt
Some stubborn dirt, especially those hidden in corners, may still be around even after cleaning the hair straightener with detergent, alcohol, or mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. If that is the case, you need to use a toothbrush to get rid of this stubborn dirt and those hidden in hard to reach areas. Toothbrush bristle is strong enough to get rid of stubborn dirt but gentle enough not to damage or scratch the hair straightener. Gently scrub all tight spots, focusing more on the plastic and plates. You can also use a magic eraser instead of a toothbrush to remove stubborn buildup hanging around. Magic eraser contains a mixture of sodium bisulfite, formaldehyde, and melamine that is very effective in getting rid of stubborn dirt and grime.
Step six: Leave it to dry
Before you start using your hair straightener, allow it to dry completely before plugging it back for use. Proper drying will help eliminate the possibility of it emitting a foul smell. It will also reduce the possibility of being electrocuted.
Hair straightener cleaning FAQ
How often should I clean my hair straightener?
It depends on how often you use your hair straightener. If you use it daily, then you should clean it at least once each will. Don’t wait until you hear a foul smell coming from the unit to clean it. The more you wash it, the more efficient the machine will operate.
What is the benefit of cleaning my hair straightener frequently?
- Cleaning straightener helps to increase its life span and efficacy.
- It helps to save your valuable by doing your hair faster.
- Cleaning straightener enables the unit to work more efficiently to give you a much better look.
- It makes the device more energy efficient.
- It helps to prevent the unpleasant smell from coming out.
How can I know that many hair straighteners need to be cleaned
If you notice a weird smell coming out of the unit, then that is a clear sign that the hair straightener needs to be cleaned. Additionally, if you see that you are taking a bit longer to do your hair compared to how long it used to take, then that is a clear indication that the device is not as efficient as it is used to be. Foul smell coming out of the unit means that there is a lot of dirt, dust, debris, and grime buildup. The same thing also applies if the hair straightener efficiently drops.
Is it okay to clean my hair straightener without alcohol?
It is not recommended to clean a hair straightening without alcohol, but it is okay to clean it without it if you don’t have it. Alcohol plays a crucial role in removing stubborn dirt, grime, and bacteria that a standard cleaning solution cannot remove. However, if you don’t have one, then ensure that you use what you have well. Ensure that you clean the heating plate thoroughly using a suitable cleaning detergent.
Will regular cleaning of my hair straightener damage it?
No, cleaning your hair straightener regularly will not damage its crucial components. However, you need to wash your hair straightener carefully to avoid exposing sensitive parts to water, alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide. Don’t keep the hair straightener directly on the water or any other solution. Instead, it would help if you used a clean cloth to clean the device. Also, allow the unit to dry completely before you start using it.
Final verdict
Cleaning your hair straightener regularly is crucial not only in enhancing its life and efficacy but also in eliminating the unpleasant smell. If you want to have a great time using your hair straightener, you need to ensure that it is cleaned regularly to remove all dust, dust, hair, and grime buildup on the heating plate.
The good thing is that cleaning the hair straighter is not tricky; it is usually the case with hair care devices. It is a simple process that will take a few minutes to complete if you follow the above simple step by step process. Remember that the smell will only go away if you clean your hair straighter correctly and thoroughly. Please don’t forget to clean corners and other hidden places because those are the areas where dirt and grime tend to hide more. Once you have done cleaning, allow your hair straightener to dry completely before using it again.
