We want our hair tools to work wonders on our hair, that is why we use them right?
We all know that cleaning our makeup brushes is imperative for healthy skin. But these are not the only beauty tools that benefit from regular cleaning: Your hair tools need some love, too. Not only will they last longer, they will also work better.
Whether you're using brushes and combs to detangle clean or third-day hair, or hot tools to style a blowout, there's a good chance that germs, dead hair and skin cells, and product residue are building up on their surfaces.
As we are reading this some of us might all be thinking I can’t remember the last time I cleaned my hairbrush!
With spring upon us now is the perfect time to think about giving our hair tools their very own ‘spring clean’.
Styling Brushes and Combs
Think about what gets stuck in your hairbrush other than hair: dust, hair spray, oils from your scalp, other product residue, germs and other random particles flying around. Now think about what happens when you don't clean it for weeks! Do you really want to brush all that onto your freshly washed hair?
Tips to clean
- Take any long, thin tool (rat tail comb or a pair of closed scissors), slide it under all the stuck hair in the brush, and gently tug upwards until it is loosened out of the bristles. If there is not that much hair, pull out with your hand.
- Fill up the sink with warm water and splash some cleansing shampoo. Let it soak for a bit or take an old toothbrush and gently get rid of the build up at the base of the brush or comb.
- Let the hairbrushes air dry or use a blow drier for a faster result.
Curlers and hair straighteners
Like with your brushes, cleansing your hot tools will only maximise their effectiveness and increase their longevity.
Don't let the sticky product build up on your curlers and straighteners burn your hair and cause split ends! To keep your hot tools in great condition, it's important to clean them well to get rid of that residue.
Tips to clean
- Always make sure that they are switched off and completely cool before cleaning.
- Then use a slightly damp, clean cloth with warm water to rub over the plates to keep product build-up at bay. If water doesn't work, add a little rubbing alcohol (or a professional iron cleaner, if you'd like). Be careful not to scrape your straightener as scraping can ruin the plates.
- Dry the hot tool entirely before using.
Tip: Remember to never submerge your curlers and straighteners in water - this is both dangerous and will ruin your tool.
Blow dryer
Take your blow dryer and look at the back where the vent is. That is lint...and dirt. Most likely completely covering the filter. The air filter is usually easy to unscrew so you can scrape the build-up off the vent and rinse well with water.
Tips to clean
- Remove the back cover
- Take out the filter and clean it out with some small tools like cotton tips, toothbrush, tweezers, etc.). Then, rinse with warm water and let it dry completely.
- While that is drying, give your blow dryer some love and rub down the nozzle and body with a damp cloth to clean any build-up of hair products.
Cleaning Hair Accessories
Remember your headbands, hair ties, scrunchies, and hair clips! They also have hair product build-up, as well as potential sweat and pollution from the outside. Occasionally, throw them all in the sink with warm water and a few drops of shampoo. Gently rub each accessory and then dry them on a towel.
With the proper solutions and right cleaning procedures, you will be surprised on how good the results can be.