Regularly cleaning hair straighteners with a damp cloth is essential for preventing product buildup and removing bacteria. How often you need to clean them depends on factors such as frequency of use.

Using hair products and then straightening your hair can transfer product to the hair straighteners. Grease and other substances from the hair and scalp can also remain on the straighteners if you use them between wash days.

It is essential to clean hair straighteners regularly to remove the buildup of hair products and other substances. If you share straighteners or use them in a professional setting such as a salon, you may need to clean them more frequently.

To prepare to clean your hair straightener, it is essential to first ensure that it is turned off, unplugged, and cooled down.

If you regularly use your straightener, you may wish to plan ahead to make sure that you won’t be using it shortly before or after the cleaning. For example, if you routinely straighten your hair every morning, you may wish to clean it at night.

If you work in a salon and work with a lot of clients throughout the day, you can clean the straighteners between uses. If you have more than one hair straightener, you can rotate them so that one can cool down for cleaning while you use another with a client.

Once your hair straightener is unplugged and cool, you can slightly dampen a cloth with water and then gently wipe over the straightener to remove any dirt or product.

It is best to use a microfiber cloth or another cloth that will not leave any fibers behind. Loose fibers could become trapped in the plates of the straightener.

After cleaning the straightener, wait some time for it to dry before plugging it back in and turning it on.

Do not use any detergents or cleaning products to clean the straightener. Never submerge the straightener in water.

How often you should clean your hair straightener depends on how frequently you use the appliance.

Occasional use

If you only use it occasionally, you may wish to clean it once it’s cooled down before putting it away. This can help ensure that bacteria won’t sit on the straighteners and build up over time in between uses.

Regular use

If you use your straightener regularly, you may wish to clean it every month or so. This is because oils and skin cells from the hair and scalp can transfer to the straighteners.

Hair products, pollution from the air outdoors, and other substances can also sit on the hair and then transfer to the straighteners, especially if you use them in between hair washes.

Regularly washing the straightener can help to reduce product from building up on the straightener plates. It will also help reduce the growth of bacteria. If bacteria grow on the straightener, they could transfer to your hair when straightening.

While the heat from hair straighteners — which can reach temperatures of 163ºC (325.4ºF) — may help kill bacteria, germs can build up on parts of the straightener that do not heat up.

Salon use

If you work in a salon, it is best to clean hair straighteners each time after using them. A 2021 article explains that, without proper hygiene practices, salons can be a health hazard. Cleaning straighteners in between clients, or using a different straightener while the other cools for cleaning, can help to prevent this.

It is also best to clean the straightener after every use if you share it with anybody else.

There is no official guidance on when you should replace your hair straightener. Regularly cleaning it may help to increase its lifespan, as product buildup can cause damage over time.

Replace your hair straightener if it shows any sign of damage. Possible signs of damage include:

  • an unusual or burning smell
  • problems with heating up or cooling down
  • frayed or damaged cables
  • damage to the plates

To clean your hair straightener, first unplug it and let it fully cool down. Then, slightly dampen a microfiber cloth and wipe it clean.

Never submerge straighteners in water, and avoid using harsh chemicals or cleaning products. Do not turn the straighteners back on until they are completely dry.

If you regularly use your straightener, it is best to clean it roughly every month. For occasional use, you may wish to clean your straightener before putting it away to prevent dirt and bacteria from lingering.

If you share your straightener or use straighteners in a salon, it is best to clean them after every use. This is particularly important in a salon setting to help maintain hygiene safety.