Author: Jenna White | San Francisco Hairstylist
February 24th, 2020
February 24th, 2020
Both hair professionals and customers should clean their hair tools on a weekly basis to keep them working as long as possible. Professionals also need to use disinfectant to be compliant with California State law. The majority of this article gives advice for customers on how to care for their tools at home.
Hot Tools
Start with a damp washcloth after unplugging the tool while it's still warm. This will help remove any buildup on the plates and casing. You can use rubbing alcohol or baking soda, but keep in mind they are abrasive chemicals that may break down the device’s coating over time. They're popular for this job, but I prefer to avoid them. The trade-off is it takes a couple of tries to get the device completely clean with just a damp washcloth plus heat. If you methodically keep up with the water and cloth approach, you shouldn't have too much to wipe away each week. Regarding hot tools and blowdryers (listed next), be gentle with all cords. Cords expand and contract with temperature, so avoid wrapping tightly to prolong the device.
Blowdryers
Start by soaking the mesh filter, which is usually removable, and attachments like diffusers and concentrator in fairly hot water. While that's soaking, use warm water to wipe down the drier from end-to-end. Next, take a damp Q-Tip and remove any lint that's easy to reach in the open back. Allow time for the components to dry completely before reassembling.
Hair Brushes
Remove all of the hair between the bristles. Use another brush to loosen if needed. Brushes used at home (i.e. only by you) can be washed with shampoo and water. If a brush has holes for the cushion element, block it with your finger while cleaning to prevent water from traveling inside the brush.
Hot Tools
Start with a damp washcloth after unplugging the tool while it's still warm. This will help remove any buildup on the plates and casing. You can use rubbing alcohol or baking soda, but keep in mind they are abrasive chemicals that may break down the device’s coating over time. They're popular for this job, but I prefer to avoid them. The trade-off is it takes a couple of tries to get the device completely clean with just a damp washcloth plus heat. If you methodically keep up with the water and cloth approach, you shouldn't have too much to wipe away each week. Regarding hot tools and blowdryers (listed next), be gentle with all cords. Cords expand and contract with temperature, so avoid wrapping tightly to prolong the device.
Blowdryers
Start by soaking the mesh filter, which is usually removable, and attachments like diffusers and concentrator in fairly hot water. While that's soaking, use warm water to wipe down the drier from end-to-end. Next, take a damp Q-Tip and remove any lint that's easy to reach in the open back. Allow time for the components to dry completely before reassembling.
Hair Brushes
Remove all of the hair between the bristles. Use another brush to loosen if needed. Brushes used at home (i.e. only by you) can be washed with shampoo and water. If a brush has holes for the cushion element, block it with your finger while cleaning to prevent water from traveling inside the brush.
Here's a more in-depth guide detailing how to clean my favorite brush, The Mason Pearson.
How to Clean a Mason Pearson Brush, by: Corey M. MacKenzie
How to Clean a Mason Pearson Brush, by: Corey M. MacKenzie
Combs
This one is for the folks with short hair. Get heat resistant combs so you can soak them in hot water. Scrub them with a small brush afterwards. Soak and scrub twice. The first soak removes debris, and the second disinfects. If you want to disinfect like a hair professional, consider investing in a barbicide disinfecting jar. This is the jar filled with blue liquid you see on stylists' and barbers' stations. Check out this YouTube video with tips on using comb disinfectants.
This one is for the folks with short hair. Get heat resistant combs so you can soak them in hot water. Scrub them with a small brush afterwards. Soak and scrub twice. The first soak removes debris, and the second disinfects. If you want to disinfect like a hair professional, consider investing in a barbicide disinfecting jar. This is the jar filled with blue liquid you see on stylists' and barbers' stations. Check out this YouTube video with tips on using comb disinfectants.
HairLooks: About Us
We're reinventing the way people connect with stylists and barbers. As a hair customer, use our service to build a profile for your hair type, cut, color and style. We'll pull up images of all the work done nearby on hair like yours. Click any image to see who the stylist/barber is and how to book with them. A beta for this service is available now on our website for San Francisco, LA and San Diego. Barbers and stylists, download our app for hair pros here. You can also check out this page on our website to learn more about how to use your Instagram with the app.
We're reinventing the way people connect with stylists and barbers. As a hair customer, use our service to build a profile for your hair type, cut, color and style. We'll pull up images of all the work done nearby on hair like yours. Click any image to see who the stylist/barber is and how to book with them. A beta for this service is available now on our website for San Francisco, LA and San Diego. Barbers and stylists, download our app for hair pros here. You can also check out this page on our website to learn more about how to use your Instagram with the app.
