Magic Paste

*Edit Update* 
08/28/12
I've started using this paste on everything! I used it on some nasty cookie pans, I used it on the microwave at work (GROSS), and I've used it on Silver! Yes, on SILVER! It is a fantastic little go to resource if you have dirty, nasty gross metal things that need cleaning. It takes a little elbow grease, and you have to be careful on Glass (it leaves a powder residue) but it really works great. Let me know if you have as much success as I did!

 
~ original post :) 
ok so today was a sort of slow day at work. as in not much going on. Probably because it's a holiday week. So this left me lots of time to browse Pinterest and find interesting things to Pin. Some of which I do endeavor to use! LOL

Today's AHA moment came from a pin that originated from this blog right here - One Good Thing - where she demonstrated how to clean your flat iron. Yeah.

I'm that girl. 

I flat iron my hair every single day, which is sooo bad for your hair, but when you've got fine, thin hair that just lays flat on your head, it does need some help. Ok not some. A lot of help. A lot.

Anyway I've had my flat iron now for about 4 1/2 years, and over the last year it's just really gotten gross, as you can see here, in the 'before' pics.

Absolutely ICK right? Well if you know anything about flat irons they aren't cheap. A good one can run  you about $100 or so. And who has THAT kind of money when you're trying to sell your house and move? Not this girl! So I figured anything was better than spending $100, and if I ruined my flat iron, then well... I'd have to get a new one anyway.

The thing about a flat iron in this condition is that it's really bumpy. All that black stuff you see is gel, hairspray, and mousse build up. Which, as you straighten your hair, grabs your hair and causes it to burn and break. So obviously this isn't healthy for my hair EITHER.

And then... Yes! and THEN I came across the pin for Magic Paste. Yes, magic paste. It's a simple concoction of Baking soda and peroxide. Two incredibly common things you find in most any household. So I took about 1/2 a cup of  baking soda and several teaspoons of peroxide, until a paste forms - like this:

 

The paste is thick and goopy and bright white. And then, carefully, you just rub it over the flat iron plates. A little bit at a time. It turns this nasty brown color and sort of rubs away. You have to be careful that you aren't getting it inside the plates, where the electrical heating components are, and make sure you have some dry paper towels and a narrow pick of some sort available to get rid of the paste that gets inside the plates a bit. BUT it's so worth it. I used this magic paste and almost ALL of the crud came off of my flat iron! I'm so thrilled! Saved me a ton of money, and the flat iron was fine, and here you can see the finished product after I cleaned it. I probably could have done a better job, it but it's late and I just wanted to see if would work...

    

So as you can see, the plates look great. Not perfect, but great! I can't wait to use it in the morning. I think it's going to be like when I first got it - almost. 

Here's a few quick tips - 1.) do not submerge your flat iron in water. It IS an electrical device. Submerging it could cause it to short circuit the next time you plug it in, or cause yourself to electrocute yourself. 2.) don't use water directly on the iron to clean off the paste. Use a damp paper towel to clean it off the plates. 3.) make sure your flat iron is unplugged before you start cleaning it. - Common Sense really, but I wanted to make sure i said it :)
Good luck with your flat iron and if you have any tips or questions, please feel free to leave a comment below! Happy straightening!
 
I'm linking this post back to:




Happy "Pasting"!