Tools appear as good as new with these gadget- cleaning hacks.
Keeping tools in top shape goes beyond simple cleanliness, says Sam Villa, cofounder of his eponymous brand and Redken global artistic ambassador. “Of course we need to stop the possibility of infection or spread of illness—that’s beauty school 101,” he says.“But also think about it from the guest’s perspective. Even if she doesn’t consciously notice that the dryer is covered in product, the shears have remnants of the previous haircut, or the brush looks like it’s growing fur. Her subconscious is picking up everything in the environment around her and that influences her opinion on the quality of the service.” Here, Villa dishes his tricks for keeping tools fresh and looking new.
RELATED: Hot Summer Hair Trends and the Products to Achieve Them
- Brushes - Stylists should be cleaning brushes after every guest, every time—no doubt about it! Cleaning brushes gets a little complicated, especially when working with natural boar hair bristles. If you start soaking wood and boar bristle brushes in sanitizing baths, they are not going to last very long. First, eliminate all loose debris from the brush.There are great tools designed specifically for removing hair and grime from brushes, or you can simply use a comb and your hand. Next, it’s time to clean them up.A quick shampoo on natural bristle brushes or a makeup brush cleaner will keep the materials from drying out and breaking.
- Razors - I can only speak to razors that have disposable blades, and for that I recommend stylists use a new blade for every guest, leaving only the handle for cleaning, which should happen between each client. For the handle, use a damp towel to wipe off any excess hair or product.I recommend sanitizing the handle each day even though it doesn’t really touch the hair or skin.
- Styling Irons - Any product residue should be cleaned off immediately after use while the iron is still warm.If you wait until the iron cools, you’ll have to work a lot harder to get the product to release.About once a week, do a deep clean with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. To nix buildup on a styling iron, mix hydrogen peroxide with baking soda until it forms a thick paste (you only need a small dash of the hydrogen peroxide).Coat the barrel and plates of the iron with the mixture and let it sit for 10 minutes.Then, wipe off the mixture and use a sponge to get any excess off the barrel and plates.You can also use a toothbrush to remove any remaining dirt as long as it doesn’t scratch the barrel or plates
- Blowdryers - A small buildup of dust on the back filter is your signal that it’s time to clean. This could be every few days for busy stylists or once a week for those with less-packed schedules. For light dust on the back filter, remove the filter from the dryer and gently brush the dust away with a color brush or a brush cleaner. If dust is caked on with product, run the filter through hot water to loosen the debris. Make sure it’s completely dry again before putting it back onto the dryer.Wipe down the case of the dryer with a damp cloth and inspect your cords for any damage.
[Images: Courtesy of Sam Villa and Getty Images]
