How to Clean and Maintain Your Hair Clips for Long-Lasting Use

Your favorite hair clips are more than just accessories—they’re daily tools that help you create effortless styles in seconds. But over time, product buildup, oil, and dust can dull their shine and cause them to slip or snag. Proper maintenance is key to keeping your clips functional and beautiful for years.

Whether you own a handful of everyday essentials or a curated collection of statement pieces, learning how to clean hair clips the right way will save you money and reduce waste. In this guide, we’ll walk you through simple cleaning methods for different materials, plus storage tips to prevent damage.

Why Cleaning Your Hair Clips Matters

Hair clips come into direct contact with your scalp, hair products, and environmental dust. Over time, residues from dry shampoo, hairspray, and natural oils accumulate on the surface and inside the hinge mechanism. This buildup can make clips feel sticky, reduce their grip, and even transfer dirt back onto clean hair.

For metal clips and cuffs, tarnish and corrosion can occur if moisture and grime are left unchecked. Plastic or acetate clips may become cloudy or develop a sticky film. Regular cleaning not only preserves the original finish but also ensures your clips remain hygienic—especially if you share them or use them on freshly washed hair.

• Prevents product residue from weakening the spring or hinge.
• Reduces the risk of scalp irritation or breakouts from dirty accessories.
• Maintains the clip’s aesthetic appeal—no more cloudy or sticky surfaces.

Step-by-Step: How to Clean Different Types of Hair Clips

The cleaning method depends on the material of your clip. Most everyday clips, like the Daily Clip in Honey or the Daily Clip in Birch, are made from acetate or metal with a spring mechanism. Start by removing any loose hair strands with tweezers or a fine-tooth comb. Then, prepare a bowl of lukewarm water with a few drops of mild dish soap or gentle shampoo.

Dip a soft cloth or a clean toothbrush into the soapy water and gently scrub the clip’s surface, focusing on crevices where grime hides. For metal parts, avoid soaking the entire clip—instead, use a damp cloth and dry immediately to prevent rust. Rinse with clean water and pat dry with a lint-free towel. Let the clip air-dry completely before storing.

• For acetate clips (like the Daily Clip in Cider): use a microfiber cloth and avoid harsh chemicals that can cloud the finish.
• For metal cuffs (like the Mixed Metal Hair Cuff): wipe with a jewelry polishing cloth after cleaning to restore shine.
• For fabric-covered or silk scrunchies (like the Silk Scrunchie Trio in Champagne): hand-wash in cold water with mild detergent and lay flat to dry.

How to Care for Creaseless and Spring-Loaded Clips

Creaseless clips are designed with padded interiors to prevent kinks, but that padding can trap oil and product. To clean a creaseless clip, gently wipe the padded area with a damp cloth and mild soap. Avoid saturating the padding—excess moisture can break down the adhesive or cause mildew. For the spring mechanism, use a dry cotton swab to remove debris without wetting the interior.

Spring-loaded clips, such as the Soul Clip in Honey, benefit from occasional lubrication. After cleaning and drying, apply a tiny drop of silicone-based lubricant (like sewing machine oil) to the hinge. Open and close the clip a few times to distribute the oil evenly. This prevents squeaking and keeps the tension consistent for a secure hold.

• Never submerge spring-loaded clips in water—moisture can rust the spring.
• Test lubricant on a small area first to ensure it doesn’t stain the clip material.
• Store creaseless clips with the padded side facing up to prevent deformation.

Storage Tips to Extend the Life of Your Hair Clips

How you store your hair clips is just as important as how you clean them. Tossing them into a drawer or makeup bag can cause scratches, bent teeth, and tangled springs. Instead, use a dedicated organizer with compartments, a small jewelry box, or a hanging fabric pouch with individual slots. This keeps clips separated and easy to find.

Avoid storing clips in humid environments like bathrooms. Moisture accelerates tarnishing on metal and can warp acetate or plastic. If you travel, wrap delicate clips in a soft cloth or place them in a pillbox. For sets like the Essentials Set, keeping all pieces together in their original packaging or a matching pouch helps prevent loss and maintains the set’s value.

• Use a velvet-lined tray for metal clips to prevent scratches.
• Keep acetate clips away from direct sunlight to avoid fading or yellowing.
• For clip sets (like the Mini Demi Clip Set in Black), store them in a zippered pouch to keep pairs together.

When to Retire a Hair Clip

Even with the best care, hair clips have a lifespan. Signs that it’s time to replace a clip include a loose hinge that no longer holds securely, visible rust or corrosion, cracked or chipped acetate, and padding that has become sticky or detached. Using a damaged clip can snag your hair or cause breakage, so it’s better to retire it gracefully.

If you notice that a once-favorite clip no longer stays in place, check the spring tension. For metal cuffs, a bent or misshapen cuff may not spring back into its original form. When in doubt, invest in a new piece from a trusted brand. A fresh clip not only performs better but also adds a polished touch to your daily style.

• Replace clips with broken springs immediately to avoid hair damage.
• Recycle metal clips at a scrap metal facility if possible.
• Consider upcycling old clips into DIY jewelry or art projects.

Taking a few minutes each month to clean and maintain your hair clips will keep them looking beautiful and performing reliably. From the classic Daily Clip in Honey to the elegant Mixed Metal Hair Cuff, proper care ensures your favorite accessories stay in rotation for years. Start your maintenance routine today and enjoy snag-free, stylish hair every day.