At MyCuts, we know that you want your hair styling tools to function at their best, working continuously to give you a great look. In order for that to happen, however, your hair styling tools have to be well maintained and cleaned. Thoroughly cleaning your hair styling tools will go a long way to keep them functioning at their best for the longest amount of time possible.
Ask yourself when the last time you cleaned your hairbrush was. What about your blow dryer or favorite heat-styling tools? If you can’t remember, it is likely you need to get into the habit of cleaning your hair styling tools regularly. After all, product buildup on your favorite hair styling tools can result in burnt hair and split ends.
Today, MyCuts will be telling you how to clean your hair styling tools properly so you can get the best function possible. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to a better hairstyling experience. Let’s get started!
Use a Heat Protectant
The most effective way to avoid heat styling damage without cutting out the use of hair styling tools completely is by using a heat protectant. If you aren’t using a heat protectant each and every time that you use a heat styling tool, you are putting your hair at an unnecessary risk of damage. Get into the habit of thinking of a heat protectant the way you think of sunscreen before spending a day in the sun. A good heat protectant will keep your hair healthy and beautiful while locking in your hair color.
Cleaning Your Hairbrushes and Combs
While you may think that the only thing getting stuck in your hairbrushes and combs is your own hair, there are several different things that can get stuck, causing a nasty mess over time. From dust and germs to oils from your head and hair spray, your hairbrush can become packed with undesirable particles over time. When you don’t clean your hairbrush for weeks at a time, all of these items get stuck in your hairbrush. Think about what you are brushing or combing through your freshly washed hair each time you use them! So what is the proper way to clean your hairbrush and comb?
First, take any long, thin tool, such as a closed pair of scissors, and slide it under the stuck hair in your brush. Next, gently tug upwards to pull the hair away from the brush. If there isn’t much hair in your brush at the time of cleaning, you can simply use your hand to remove the hair. It is best practice to remove hair from your brush each time you use it to eliminate buildup over time.
Next, it is time to wash your hairbrush or comb. Simply fill up your sink with warm water and use a cleansing shampoo on your hair styling tool. Depending on your preference, you can either let the hairstyling tool soak for a while or take a toothbrush and scrub away buildup that way for a more thorough cleaning. It is best to focus on the base of the brush as this is where oils and hair spray tends to cling on and build up the most.
Watch How Frequently You’re Using Heat Styling Tools
How often do you find yourself using heat styling tools? If the answer is frequently, you can protect your hair by cutting down on use. Using hair styling tools too frequently can cause your hair to become damaged and brittle over time. In order to cut back on the frequency at which you are using heat styling tools, experiment with new types of heatless hairstyles. Branching out can be a fun experience and you may find forms of hairstyles that you like even better than your favorite heat styling ‘dos!
Once you have cleaned your brush or comb thoroughly, all that’s left to do is let it dry. You can either let your brush air dry or you can use a blow drier if you’re in a hurry.
Cleaning Flat Irons and Curlers
When sticky hair products build up on your favorite heat styling tools, this opens the door for a chemical reaction that can result in burnt hair and split ends! For this reason, it is crucial that you know how to properly clean your flat irons and curlers. Always make sure your heat styling tools are unplugged before starting as cleaning your tools while they are plugged in can pose an electric shock risk.
Start by using a moist cloth to go over your heat styling tools and remove as much buildup as possible. For extra thorough cleaning, add a little rubbing alcohol or a professional iron cleaner to wipe down your heat styling tools. Make sure to dry your tools thoroughly before using them again as, again, water and electricity don’t mix.
Cleaning Your Blow Dryer
While many of us don’t think to clean our blow dryers, it is vital that you regularly clean this hair styling tool. Take a look at your blow dryer’s vent. Is there lint and dirt buildup? If so, it is far past time to clean your blow dryer. Lint and dirt buildup can severely harm the functioning of your blow dryer so it’s good to maintain a regular cleaning schedule.
Start by removing the back cover of your blow dryer. Once this is done, take out the filter and clean it with a small tool like a Q-tip. Next, rinse it with warm water and let it dry out completely. While the filter is drying, take some time to wipe down the body of the blow dryer itself with a warm, wet cloth. This will remove any hair product buildup found on the dryer. Once this process is complete, reassemble your blow dryer and enjoy maximum airflow!
Get the MyCuts App!
MyCuts hopes these tips were helpful to you and that you will have an easier time properly cleaning your favorite hair styling tools going forward. If you are a hair salon owner, it is likely you already knew about these cleaning practices but have you heard of the MyCuts app? If not, we are here to offer you valuable information that can make scheduling appointments and maintaining your schedule easier than ever!
The MyCuts app is a tool created with salon owners and their customers in mind. Our app features software that includes appointment scheduling and monitoring features that take the chaos out of booking. Feel free to take a look at our demo to see what the MyCuts app can do for your salon!
