Your collection of hair accessories, whether they're everyday essentials or special occasion pieces, deserves proper care. From elegant metal clips to vibrant plastic headbands, each item can last significantly longer and maintain its original beauty with a little attention. This comprehensive guide from Hairclip will walk you through the best practices for cleaning, storing, and troubleshooting common issues to ensure your accessories remain in pristine condition.
General Cleaning Tips for All Accessories
Before diving into specific materials, there are fundamental cleaning principles that apply to almost all hair accessories. Adhering to these general guidelines will form the basis of a robust maintenance routine.
Regular Wiping and Dusting
One of the simplest yet most effective ways to maintain your accessories is regular wiping. Hair products like dry shampoo, hairspray, and styling creams can build up over time, leaving a dull film. Dust and natural oils from your hair and skin also contribute to this.
Daily or Weekly Wipe Down: After each use, or at least once a week, gently wipe your accessories with a soft, dry microfibre cloth. This removes surface grime before it hardens.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Never use abrasive cleaners, alcohol-based solutions, or harsh chemicals unless specifically recommended for the material. These can strip finishes, discolour plastics, or damage delicate embellishments.
Gentle Washing for Fabric Elements
Many hair accessories incorporate fabric, such as scrunchies, headbands with fabric wraps, or clips with fabric bows. These require a different approach.
Spot Cleaning: For small stains, use a damp cloth with a tiny drop of mild, pH-neutral soap (like baby shampoo or a gentle hand soap). Blot the stain gently, do not rub vigorously, as this can spread the stain or damage the fabric fibres.
Hand Washing: For items that are entirely fabric or have significant fabric components, hand washing is often the safest bet. Fill a basin with cool water and a small amount of mild detergent. Submerge the item, gently agitate, and then rinse thoroughly under cool running water until all soap is gone. Squeeze out excess water gently – do not wring.
Air Drying: Always air dry fabric accessories. Lay them flat on a clean towel or hang them in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight or heat, which can cause fading or shrinkage.
Dealing with Product Buildup
Hairspray and other styling products are notorious for leaving sticky residues. If a dry wipe isn't enough, a slightly damp cloth can help.
Damp Cloth Method: Lightly dampen a soft cloth with plain water. Wipe down the accessory, paying attention to crevices and hinges. Immediately follow with a dry cloth to remove any moisture.
Toothbrush for Crevices: For stubborn buildup in hard-to-reach areas, a soft-bristled toothbrush can be very effective. Use it dry or very slightly damp to gently scrub away residue. Be careful not to scratch delicate surfaces.
Care for Metal and Embellished Clips
Metal clips, whether they're simple bobby pins or intricate barrettes, and those adorned with rhinestones or pearls, require specific care to prevent tarnishing and preserve their sparkle.
Preventing Tarnish on Metal
Many metal hair accessories are made from alloys that can tarnish over time, especially when exposed to moisture, humidity, or certain chemicals.
Dry Thoroughly: Always ensure metal clips are completely dry before storing them. If they get wet (e.g., from rain or washing your hair), pat them dry immediately with a soft cloth.
Avoid Chemicals: Keep metal accessories away from hairsprays, perfumes, lotions, and cleaning products. Apply these products first, let them dry, and then put on your hair accessories.
Polishing: For tarnished silver or gold-plated items, use a jewellery polishing cloth specifically designed for those metals. Avoid abrasive polishes that can remove plating. For general metals, a soft, dry cloth is usually sufficient.
Cleaning Embellished Clips
Clips featuring rhinestones, crystals, pearls, or other delicate adornments need extra care to ensure these elements remain secure and shiny.
Gentle Cleaning: Use a soft, damp cloth (water only) to gently wipe the surface of the embellishments. For intricate areas, a cotton swab lightly dampened with water can reach into small spaces.
Avoid Soaking: Never soak embellished clips, as water can loosen glue, discolour pearls, or cause rhinestones to fall out.
Check for Loose Stones: Periodically inspect your embellished clips for any signs of loose stones or pearls. If you find one, a tiny dab of jewellery glue can often re-secure it, preventing loss.
Cleaning Plastic and Resin Hairclips
Plastic and resin accessories are durable but can still accumulate grime and lose their shine. Proper cleaning helps maintain their vibrant colours and smooth finish.
Basic Cleaning for Plastic and Resin
These materials are generally easier to clean than metals or fabrics, but still benefit from a gentle approach.
Mild Soap and Water: For most plastic and resin clips, a solution of warm water and a small amount of mild dish soap works wonders. You can gently wipe them with a soft cloth or, for heavily soiled items, briefly submerge them.
Soft Brush for Grooves: Use a soft toothbrush or a cotton swab to clean any grooves, teeth, or intricate designs where product buildup might hide.
Rinse and Dry: After cleaning, rinse the accessories thoroughly under cool running water to remove all soap residue. Pat them dry immediately with a soft cloth and allow them to air dry completely before storage.
Restoring Shine
Over time, plastic and resin can lose some of their original lustre. While you can't always restore a deep scratch, you can often revive a dull finish.
Buffing: After cleaning, buff the surface of plastic or resin clips with a dry microfibre cloth. This can help bring back some of their natural shine.
Avoid Abrasives: Do not use abrasive sponges, scouring pads, or harsh chemical cleaners, as these can scratch the surface and permanently damage the finish.
Storing Accessories to Prevent Damage
Proper storage is just as crucial as cleaning for extending the life of your hair accessories. Haphazard storage can lead to tangles, breakage, and discolouration.
Organise by Type
Keeping similar items together makes it easier to find what you need and prevents damage.
Separate Delicate Items: Store delicate items like embellished clips or those with intricate designs separately to prevent snagging or breakage. Small pouches, individual compartments in a jewellery box, or even repurposed small gift boxes can work well.
Group by Material: Consider grouping metal clips, plastic clips, and fabric items. This helps in maintaining them more effectively, as you'll know which items need specific care.
Ideal Storage Environments
The environment where you store your accessories plays a significant role in their longevity.
Dry and Cool: Store all hair accessories in a dry, cool place away from direct sunlight and excessive humidity. High humidity can cause metal to tarnish faster and may even affect glues in embellished items. Direct sunlight can fade colours, especially on plastic and fabric.
Dust-Free: Keep accessories in closed containers, drawers, or covered organisers to protect them from dust and airborne particles. This reduces the frequency of deep cleaning required.
Avoid Tangling: Use organisers that prevent items from tangling. This is especially important for headbands, which can get bent, and for clips that can scratch each other. Headband stands, compartmentalised drawers, or even hanging organisers with multiple pockets are excellent solutions. For more insights into organising your beauty essentials, you might find our frequently asked questions section helpful.
Creative Storage Solutions
Drawer Dividers: Simple drawer dividers can create custom compartments for various clips, pins, and ties.
Wall Organisers: Pegboards or fabric wall organisers with clear pockets are great for visibility and easy access, especially for a larger collection.
Jewellery Boxes: A jewellery box with soft lining and multiple compartments can be perfect for protecting more valuable or delicate hair accessories.
Troubleshooting Common Issues: Loose Springs, Dull Finishes
Even with the best care, sometimes accessories encounter minor issues. Knowing how to troubleshoot these can save your favourite pieces from the bin.
Fixing Loose Springs in Claw Clips and Barrettes
Claw clips and barrettes often rely on a spring mechanism. If the spring becomes loose or dislodged, the clip won't function properly.
Identify the Problem: Carefully examine the clip to see if the spring has simply popped out of its groove or if it's bent or broken. Most springs are small metal coils or U-shaped wires.
Re-seat the Spring: For springs that have just come out of their housing, gently push them back into place using a pair of tweezers or small pliers. Be careful not to apply too much force, which could break the plastic or metal housing.
Replacement (if possible): If the spring is bent or broken, it might be difficult to replace unless the clip is designed for it. Some high-quality clips allow for spring replacement, but many cheaper ones do not. In such cases, it might be time to consider a new accessory.
Reviving Dull Metal Finishes
As mentioned, metal can dull or tarnish. If a simple wipe-down isn't enough, more targeted action is needed.
Polishing Cloths: For silver or gold-plated items, use a specialised jewellery polishing cloth. These cloths are often impregnated with a gentle polishing agent that removes tarnish without scratching. Gently rub the affected areas until the shine returns.
Baking Soda Paste (for stubborn tarnish on non-plated silver): For solid silver (not plated), a paste made from baking soda and a tiny bit of water can be effective. Apply with a soft cloth, rub gently, then rinse thoroughly and dry immediately. Use with extreme caution and only on solid, un-plated silver, as it can be abrasive. Always test on an inconspicuous area first. For more information on product care, you can learn more about Hairclip and our commitment to quality.
Addressing Discolouration in Plastic and Resin
Plastic and resin can sometimes discolour, especially lighter colours, due to sun exposure, product buildup, or age.
Thorough Cleaning: First, give the discoloured item a very thorough clean with mild soap and water, using a soft brush for any textured areas. Sometimes, stubborn product residue is the culprit.
Sunlight Exposure (Caution): For some types of plastic, very brief, indirect sunlight exposure can sometimes help to slightly lighten yellowed areas, but this is a risky strategy as prolonged exposure can cause further fading or brittleness. Use with extreme caution and monitor closely.
Acceptance or Replacement: Unfortunately, severe discolouration in plastic and resin is often permanent. If cleaning doesn't work, it might be time to replace the item or embrace its new, aged look.
By following these detailed tips, you can significantly extend the life and beauty of your hair accessory collection. A little care goes a long way in keeping your favourite pieces looking fresh and ready to adorn your hair for years to come.