How To Clean Hair Straightener Ceramic Plates [Quickly & Easily]

I couldn’t live without my hair straighteners, as my hair is super frizzy, but regularly using your hair straighteners will leave your straightener’s straightening plates with a build-up of product residue, dirt, dust and even burnt bits, which can reduce their performance at straightening.

If your hair iron plates need cleaning, how can you clean the hair straightener ceramic plates without damaging the plates and your straightener?

I’m going to share some helpful tips on how you can (carefully) clean those ceramic plates, so they don’t end up damaged.

Why Keeping Your Ceramic Plates Clean Matters

When you don’t clean your hair straighteners regularly, product build-up collects on the ceramic plates.

Not only does the grimy layer make the ceramic plates less effective, but it can actually damage your hair, even more than the heat is already damaging your hair. 

Any product residue on the plates will block even heat distribution, leading to uneven styling and increasing the likelihood you’ll damage your hair.

If your ceramic plates are covered in oils or hair styling products like your heat protection spray or hairspray, this can snag your hair, causing split ends, dullness and breakage. 

How To Know When Your Hair Iron Plates Need A Clean

Before switching your hair straightener on, check the plates with your fingertip – can you feel any sticky residue or notice any discoloration? That’s a clear and obvious sign that they need a clean.

When you’re using styling products regularly, even just heat protection spray, this will inevitably leave product build-up on the plates, which will look like a thin and stubborn brown textured layer on the surface of the plate.

You might also notice a horrible smell when you switch your straighteners on, and that means the oils and product residue on the plates are being heated up.

If you notice your straighteners aren’t straightening your hair as well as they used to, or they’re pulling on your hair, that could also be a sign that the plates need a clean. 

How To Clean Hair Straightener Ceramic Plates

Always ensure your straighteners are off, unplugged and cold to avoid any risks of burns or hazards.

Regularly clean your ceramic plates to maintain their performance, and protect your hair from additional damage.

Start by using a soft cloth soaked in lukewarm water to gently wipe the ceramic plates, focusing on any visible product residue.

For spots which aren’t budging with lukewarm water, you can use a little baby shampoo or baking soda, by applying and gently scrubbing with a soft toothbrush, but make sure you do not get water anywhere near the electrics or under the plates. 

Always thoroughly dry the plates, and ensure they’re free from residue before you next turn them on. 

My favorite method for cleaning my ghd hair straighteners, is using a micellar face wipe, as they do an amazing job at cleaning any grime or residue in seconds. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning Your Ceramic Straightener

Always make sure you’re super careful when cleaning your straighteners. Straighteners are not cheap, so you don’t want to do anything that’ll ruin your straightens, or cause yourself physical harm.

Keep water away from the plates entirely, as moisture can seep inside the styler to damage the hair tool, or cause potential hazards.

Obviously, always unplug your straightener and wait until it’s completely cool before you even think about trying to clean the plates. 

Never use abrasive tools or harsh chemicals, as these can scratch the ceramic surface and reduce its ability to smoothly straighten clean hair. 

Never use excessive moisture on your plates. You can try using a slightly damp face cloth to wipe away any grime or residue.