Why (and How) You Should Clean Your Hair Tools
- L'Elegance Salon
- May 31
- 2 min read
We get it—life’s busy. But if you're taking the time to wash your hair with salon-quality products, don’t undo all that goodness by brushing with a dusty, product-packed tool. Dirty brushes, clogged blowdryers, and gunked-up irons not only mess with your hair’s health and shine, but they can also shorten the life of your styling tools.
Let’s break down why and how to clean your tools at home.
Brushes + Combs
Why: Hair, dust, and styling product can build up fast. If your brush or comb is dirty, you’re brushing clean hair with… not-so-clean tools.
How to Clean Them:
Remove hair with your fingers or a clean comb.
Rinse with warm water.
Lather with a gentle shampoo, scrub, and rinse well.
Spray with rubbing alcohol to disinfect and let dry.
At the salon, we use a professional-grade disinfectant called Barbicide—but for at-home use, this shampoo + alcohol method works great for personal tools.
Blowdryers
Why: Over time, lint, dust, and product get trapped in the filter. This can clog your dryer, make it overheat, and even shorten its lifespan. Plus, the added heat can increase the risk of damage to your hair.
How to Clean It:
Remove the filter (usually found on the back of the dryer).
Rinse with warm water.
Use a clean toothbrush and gentle soap to scrub away buildup.
Rinse again and pat dry thoroughly before reattaching.
Flat Irons + Curling Irons
Why: When styling products burn onto your hot tools, they can leave residue that damages your hair and prevents even heating.
How to Clean Them:
Let your iron cool completely.
Use an alcohol pad or cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol to gently wipe down the plates or barrel.
Let dry before your next use.
A Clean Tool = Healthier Hair
Regularly cleaning your tools is one of the simplest ways to keep your hair healthy, shiny, and safe from heat damage. Think of it like this—if you wouldn’t use dirty makeup brushes on your skin, why use dirty styling tools on your hair?
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