Taking a few extra minutes to care for your flat iron will not only help prolong its life but will keep it in excellent working condition, so it's ready for use the next time you need it. I clean my flat iron after each use.

Always use extreme caution when handling a hot flat iron and remember that the plates of the iron will remain hot for a short period after you turn it off. You should wait for the iron to completely cool down before cleaning or storing.

Keep in mind that the 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 damage and stress to your hair by pulling and snagging the strands 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. The flat iron plates should be cleaned with a soft cloth and a professional iron cleaner specifically formulated for use with 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. It's recommended that you clean your flat iron plates after every use to maintain the iron's peak performance.

With regular use, sometimes the handles of the iron may become loose. On some irons, you can remove the hinge cover and tighten down the nut. Make sure the iron is unplugged and completely cool before attempting this. Remember to replace the hinge cover when you are done.

When storing your flat iron, you should never wrap the power cord around it. Wrapping the cord around the flat iron causes damage at the connection points, and leads to damage of both the iron and the cord. When storing your flat iron, bundle the cord loosely and lay the cord next to the iron.

A flat iron will take several minutes to cool down completely after use. To avoid burning your countertop or vanity, it's a good idea to have a heat resistant mat. This mat 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. Taking care of your flat iron like this will help you keep it going style after style.