Salon professional hair tools go through continuous and intense use. From clients with fine hair to rough and course hair, they are used for different haircutting and styling purposes. Hence, professional hair tool maintenance and sanitization are not only about hygiene but to also ensure their durability and performance for a long time.
Client safety is another important factor catered by sanitized tools because dirty or poorly maintained tools can result in not only ineffective styling but also the chances of bacterial infections. It can also lead to damage to your equipment. So, we have curated a guide for you to break down the best practices for maintaining and sanitizing essential professional hairstyling tools such as hair straighteners, hair dryers, hair crimpers, beard trimmers, hair clippers, hairdressing scissors, combs, and brushes.
1. Hair Straighteners and Crimpers

Professional hairstyling appliances such as hair straighteners are crimpers can easily accumulate products on their plates. When you check carefully, you may be able to see product residue like serums, heat protectants, sprays and more. These, when not cleaned on time, can buildup on the plates that can result in uneven heating and snagging, risking hair damage as well as appliance malfunction. Here’s an easy but effective step to sanitize hair tools like these:
- Start by unplugging and cooling down the plates completely before starting the cleaning process.
- Next, remove product residue using a soft cloth and wiping the plates gently. Ensure that you do not go very tough as doing so can result in scratching the plates.
- For the best results, sanitize the tools after every client to maintain hygiene and ease of cleanliness.
2. Hair Dryers
Hair dryers tend to collect lint and dust inside their filters that are accumulated from client clothes, hair and even the surrounding. This reduces airflow and increases the chances of tool heat up. Additionally, with continuous use, the handle and buttons too become high-touch zones for germs and bacteria. While you can invest in professional hair dryers with advanced Reverse Airflow Cleaning Technology such as that of Air Master 2000-2400W Brushless DC Motor Hair Dryer wherein it rotates the BLDC motor in reverse direction for deep self-cleaning of the filter, also take additional steps such as:
- Clean the filter weekly to ensure optimal airflow and avoid overheating.
- Wipe the surface regularly to remove dust and product residue that accumulate on the exterior.
- Make sure all surfaces are dry before plugging back in.
3. Beard Trimmers and Hair Clippers

The blades of professional clippers and trimmers tend to trap hair along with oil and dead skin. They become the breeding grounds for bacteria and fungi which can result in skin irritation, bumps or even infections. So, only knowing how to clean clipper and trimmer blades doesn’t compete the process but you must also maintain their blade quality. Here’s what you must follow:
- Use a small cleaning brush to remove hair from the blades in gentle strokes. Clean further with soapy water carefully as instructed in user manual.
- Apply a few drops of clipper oil and run the clipper to let the oil spread. This process is crucial to reduce friction and prevent rusting. You can follow a step-by-step guide to oiling these blades for the best results.
- Make it a point to get the blades professional sharpened when required. This is important to avoid hair tugging which can cause discomfort and uneven results.
4. Hairdressing Scissors
Hairdressing scissors are those salon tools that come in direct contact with hair, scalp and skin of different individuals. Their blades if dull can damage hair and result in uneven cuts while not sanitizing them regularly can increase the chances of bacteria spread among others. The best way to sanitize salon tools like scissors are given below:
- Like every other took, be very sure to wipe the scissors after every use or at least at the end of the day using a soft, dry cloth.
- Apply a drop of scissor oil at the pivot point at regular intervals of time to keep them moving smoothly.
- Always store the scissors in a dedicated and closed space to avoid damage and accumulation of dust and dirt.
5. Combs and Brushes
With direct content with hair and scalp, cleaning and sanitizing professional combs and brushes is crucial to get rid of dandruff, oil, product build up and more. Using them uncleaned can transfer dirt and bacteria leading to infections. Vega Professional Carbon Combs available in individual and sets are the perfect salon combs for styling, grooming, haircutting and more. Their rounded teeth ensure scalp is not scratched. Additionally, our carbon combs are anti-static which do not create static charge in hair along with being chemical and heat resistant. Here’s how you can clean and sanitize hair combs and brushes:
- After every use, remove hair using your fingers or a comb cleaner.
- Wash the combs in warm water and shampoo mix at least 1-2 times a week.
- Avoid using high heat or harsh chemicals on brushes with natural bristles.
- Always store them in a clean and closed space to avoid dust accumulation.
Conclusion
Proper maintenance and sanitization of your professional hair tools not only help keep your tools durable and in top-notch condition, but also protect your clients and maintain your salon’s reputation. With these practices of how to clean hair tools and maintaining them regularly, you can always be sure of delivering only the best results with your high-end salon tools.
FAQs
How often should I clean my hair brush?
Clean your hair brush once a week and remove trapped hair after every use.
What is the best way to clean a straightener?
Unplug, let it cool, then wipe the plates with a clean cloth to remove residue safely.
Do dirty hair tools cause dandruff or hair fall?
Yes, dirty tools can spread bacteria, oil and more that can result to dandruff, scalp irritation and more.
What natural products can I use to clean hair tools?
It is best to use dry cloth to clean styling tools while you can use mild shampoo with warm water to clean hair brushes and combs.
How can professionals maintain salon hair tools?
Professionals should clean tools after each use, disinfect daily with salon-grade products and store them in close and safe space.









