Guide · Household items and appliances · October 23, 2026

How to Clean a Hair Straightener

Hairspray, heat protectant, cream and oil residues burn onto the plates of a hair straightener with the heat; as the plates get dirty they no longer glide smoothly and hairs can catch. Because the plates have a ceramic, titanium or tourmaline coating, they are cleaned with a damp cloth rather than an abrasive product; the appliance itself is never put in water. This guide explains how to clean the plates of a hair straightener, the comb of straightening brushes and the body. For hair dryers, see the guide how to clean a hair dryer.

Before you start

Unplug it: switch the straightener off and pull out the plug before you start cleaning.
Let it cool: wait until the plates have cooled completely; do not wipe a hot plate.
Check the manual: the user manual explains how to clean the plates and the comb.
Keep it out of water: do not put the straightener in water or hold it under the tap.

How to clean hair straightener plates

Wipe the plates with a soft cloth that is only lightly dampened with water and well wrung.
For stuck-on spray or cream residue, dampen the cloth with lukewarm water to which a little TETİK liquid hand soap has been added, wipe the residue gently, then remove the soap residue with a clean damp cloth.
Wipe the edges of the plates and the gaps between them with a finger wrapped in a cloth.
Dry the plates with a dry cloth and switch the appliance on only once it is completely dry.
Do not pour or spray liquid directly onto the plates.

Ceramic, titanium and tourmaline plates

Plates with a ceramic, titanium or tourmaline coating are sensitive to scratches. Do not use steel wool, abrasive creams, stiff brushes or sharp or metal tools on the plates, and do not scrape residue off with a fingernail or knife. Acetone and solvents can damage the coating. A scratched, peeling or cracked plate cannot be restored by cleaning and can burn the hair; do not use a straightener with a damaged plate, and contact authorised service. To keep the plates clean, let the hair dry after applying products.

How to clean a straightening brush

With the appliance cold, remove hairs caught between the comb teeth with a dry brush or a comb.
If the comb is removable, take it off as shown in the manual, wash it with lukewarm water and a little liquid soap, rinse it and refit it only once it is completely dry.
Wipe a fixed comb with a slightly damp, well-wrung cloth; do not let water get between the teeth.
Broken or bent comb teeth can pull the hair; replace the comb with the manufacturer's spare part.

Body and cable

Wipe the body with a well-wrung cloth dampened in lukewarm water with START all-purpose surface cleaner added at the dose on the label, then dry it. According to its safety data sheet, START Genel Yüzey Temizleyici has a pH of 7–8.
Do not let liquid get into the buttons, display or cable inlet.
Wipe the swivel cable with a slightly damp cloth and dry it; once the appliance has cooled, coil the cable loosely before putting it away.
If the cable is damaged or the appliance overheats, do not use it and contact authorised service.

What not to do

Putting the straightener in water or holding it under the tap.
Wiping the plates while they are hot or while the appliance is plugged in.
Using abrasives, steel wool, acetone or solvents on the plates.
Scraping residue off with a knife or metal tool.
Winding the cable tightly around the hot appliance.

For hair salons

In hair salons, straighteners are used all day on hair treated with different products and residue builds up quickly on the plates; wiping the plates with a damp cloth at the end of the day once the appliance has cooled and regularly cleaning the comb attachments helps the appliances work properly. For a list of products, see the guide hair and beauty salon cleaning supplies. For bulk purchases you can request a quote.

Prepared by: Tetikoğlu Kimya — cleaning chemicals manufacturer since 1997. When using products, always follow the instructions and warnings on the pack.

Frequently asked questions

What should you wipe hair straightener plates with?

With the appliance cold, the plates are wiped with a soft cloth lightly dampened with water and well wrung; for stuck-on residue, the cloth is dampened with lukewarm water containing a little liquid soap, and the plates are then wiped with a clean damp cloth and dried.

How do you remove burnt residue from a hair straightener?

Once the appliance has cooled completely, the residue is wiped gently with a soft cloth dampened with soapy water. Knives, metal tools and abrasives are not used; a plate with a damaged coating cannot be restored by cleaning.

Can the comb of a straightening brush be washed?

If the comb is removable and the manual allows it, it is washed with lukewarm water and a little liquid soap and dried completely. A fixed comb is cleaned with a dry brush and a well-wrung damp cloth.