Over time, hairspray, heat-protectant, serums and everyday styling product bake onto your GHD plates every time they heat up. That build-up doesn't just look grubby — it can make your straighteners drag through your hair, transfer residue back onto it, and even affect how evenly the plates heat. The good news is that cleaning GHDs properly takes a couple of minutes, and doing it right keeps them working better and lasting longer. Here's how — and, just as importantly, what not to do.
I've been repairing electronics for over 25 years, and the wrong cleaning approach can ruin a pair as surely as the right one keeps it going.
Before you start: safety first
Two non-negotiables before you clean:
Unplug them and let them cool completely. Never clean straighteners while they're warm or plugged in — you're working near mains electricity and hot plates. Give them a good while to cool fully.
Keep water away from the electrics. You're cleaning the plates, not the body — never let liquid get into the hinge, the switch, the vents or the cable entry. Moisture in the electronics is a genuine cause of faults.
How to clean the plates (the right way)
The plates are what pick up all the product, so they're the main event:
Wait until fully cool and unplugged.
Dampen a soft, lint-free cloth — a microfibre cloth is ideal — with a little warm water. Damp, not wet. Wring it out well.
Gently wipe along the plates to lift off the product residue. For stubborn baked-on build-up, let the damp cloth rest on it for a moment to soften it, then wipe again.
For tougher residue, a tiny amount of surgical spirit / isopropyl alcohol on the cloth (not poured on the straighteners) works well and evaporates cleanly — but use it sparingly and only on the plates.
Dry the plates thoroughly with a clean, dry part of the cloth before you next use them.
That's genuinely all it takes, done regularly.
What NOT to use (this is where GHDs get damaged)
The plates have a smooth coating that gives you that snag-free glide — and it's easy to wreck it with the wrong cleaner. Avoid:
Abrasive scourers, wire wool, or anything scratchy — these scratch the plate coating permanently, and once it's damaged it'll snag and pull your hair forever.
Harsh chemicals, bleach, or oven-type cleaners — far too aggressive for the plate surface.
Sharp objects to "scrape off" build-up — you'll gouge the plates. Soften with a damp cloth and wipe instead.
Soaking or running them under the tap — never submerge or heavily wet straighteners; it's the fastest way to get moisture into the electrics and cause a fault.
The rule of thumb: gentle, damp, soft cloth — never abrasive, never soaking wet.
How often should you clean them?
For most people, a quick wipe of the plates every week or two keeps build-up from accumulating — and a gentle wipe after heavy product use is worth it. It's much easier to keep on top of light residue than to tackle years of baked-on build-up later.
When cleaning won't fix the problem
One honest note, because it's a common mix-up. A good clean will sort dull, draggy plates and product transfer — but if your straighteners have an actual fault (they won't heat, one plate stays cold, they cut out, or they're not getting properly hot), cleaning won't fix that, because it's not a cleanliness problem. If a thorough clean hasn't restored them, you may be looking at something like a failing heater element or fuse — see, for example, my guide to GHDs that aren't getting hot enough. Those are repairs rather than clean-ups.
Keep them working for years
Regular, gentle cleaning is one of the simplest ways to get more life out of your GHDs — cleaner plates mean better styling, less drag, and no baked-on residue affecting the heat. It's a small habit that genuinely helps, and it pairs well with a few other easy care steps I've covered in how to make your GHDs last longer.
And if your straighteners ever do develop a fault that a clean won't fix, that's what I'm here for — you can see the GHD repairs I offer here. But for keeping a healthy pair in good shape, a soft cloth and a couple of minutes is all it takes.
The Repair Works is an independent UK repair service, run by me, Paul — 25 years of hands-on repair experience, working by post for customers across the whole country. Not affiliated with or endorsed by GHD.
