These Easy Tips Will Help Prolong the Life of Your Flat Iron and Keep the Bad Hair Days at Bay!

Hundreds of flat irons are sold everyday, and if you're anything like me, you use yours daily and would be lost without it. If you have that much trust in an appliance, shouldn't you take the necessary steps to take care of it? A well-loved flat iron equals a happy hairstyle in my book.

A Few Minutes a Day
Taking a few extra minutes to care for your flat iron after each use will not only help prolong its life, it will also ensure it stays in excellent working condition, and is ready for use the next time you need it. Some extra care goes a long way with a flat iron, and it's easier than you think. Plus, if you've ever had a flat iron die on you, you know all about the bad hair days you must suffer until the new one arrives, so proper care is the way to go.

Caution, it's HOT
Remember to always use extreme caution when handling a hot flat iron, and keep in mind that the plates of the iron will remain very hot for a short period after you turn it off. You should always wait for the iron to completely cool down before cleaning or storing it. While your iron is cooling down, I suggest placing in on a heatproof mat to protect it and your counter tops. Many of the flat iron manufacturers sell heatproof mats along with their irons, and it's a good idea to get one. I've seen them in silicone and in a variety of heat resistant materials, any of which are fine for resting your hot appliance on while using or during the cooling down period. (www.hairstraightening.net)

Prevent Damage...to your Hair!
Keep in mind that any styling products used on your hair will cause build up on the iron plates over time. This leads to excess stickiness on the plate surface, and results in poor styling results. The gummy residue on the plates can also cause damaging stress to your hair by pulling and snagging the strands and causing split ends and breakage. Flat irons are meant to slip through the hair smoothly, so make sure your iron is clean before every use. Gummy residue? Split ends? Damage! You should be running to pick up some professional iron cleaner before you even finish this article.

Gentle Care, Better Hair
The flat iron plates should be cleaned with a soft cloth and a professional iron cleaner specifically formulated for use flat irons and other heat styling appliances. You should never use any harsh or abrasive cleaners that will damage or scratch the surface of the plates, or reduce the iron's ability to glide through the hair easily. I recommend cleaning your flat iron plates after every use to maintain the iron's peak performance. Remember "gummy residue". Enough said. (www.sedubeauty.com)

Loose Handles?
With regular use, sometimes the handles of the iron may become loose. If this occurs, on some irons you can remove the hinge cover and tighten down the nut. (Or you can step away like I do.) Always make sure the iron is unplugged and completely cool before attempting to tighten the loose nut. Remember to replace the hinge cover securely when you are done. If you are unsure, mechanically challenged, or don't like the idea of making your iron worse, please seek professional help! A stylist, a professional salon worker, repair man, or electrical appliance guru should be called in immediately.

Proper Storage Please!
When storing your flat iron, you should never, ever, never wrap the power cord around it. Did I say NEVER? I really cannot stress this point enough. Wrapping the electrical cord around the flat iron causes damage and stress to the connection points and will lead to damage of both the iron and the cord. I cannot tell you how many people complain that their flat iron broke after 3 months. The majority of those complaints are due to cord damage. When storing your flat iron, bundle the cord loosely and lay the cord next to the iron. This will prolong the life of your flat iron, guaranteed.

It's Worth Repeating
A flat iron will take several minutes to cool down completely after use. To avoid burning your counter top or vanity, you really should invest in a heat resistant mat or pouch specifically designed to cover the flat iron's plates. A pouch protects your counter surfaces while the iron is cooling down, and also keeps your flat iron plates clean and protected from damage during storage and travel. A mat is a great resting place, but for travel and storage, if you can get a heatproof pouch, it would be a better investment. In a pinch, you can use an oven mitt. Same principle as a heat proof pouch, and you probably already have one. While I don't recommend putting the iron in the oven mitt, you can certainly rest the iron on it while it is cooling down.

Taking care of your flat iron not only prolongs its life, it also ensures better performance and smoother slip through your hair as you style. Plus, exercising caution with any heat appliance is always recommended, safety first!