Quick answer: To clean a claw clip, soak it for a few minutes in lukewarm water with a drop of mild soap, scrub between the teeth with a soft toothbrush, rinse and dry it completely, paying attention to the metal spring. Skip soaking for fabric, velvet, pearl and rhinestone clips; spot-clean those with a barely damp cloth instead.
Key takeaways
- Hair product, oil and dust build up between the teeth, so clips need occasional cleaning.
- Lukewarm water, mild soap and a soft brush are enough for acetate, acrylic and resin.
- Metal clips should be wiped, not scrubbed with abrasives, to protect the plated finish.
- Fabric, pearl and rhinestone clips need spot cleaning only.
- Dry the spring thoroughly and store clips where they cannot fall or get crushed.
Why clean your hair clips?
Every time you wear a clip, it picks up a little hair product, natural scalp oil and dust. Over weeks this builds up between the teeth and around the hinge, making the clip look dull and feel sticky. A quick clean keeps clips looking new and makes sure you are not putting residue back into freshly washed hair.
What you need
- A small bowl of lukewarm water.
- A drop of mild soap, such as gentle hand soap or dish soap.
- A soft toothbrush.
- A soft cotton or microfiber cloth.
- A dry towel to lay clips on.
How to clean acetate, acrylic and resin claw clips
Acetate, acrylic and resin clips can be washed in water. Soak them briefly to loosen residue, brush between the teeth, rinse and dry. The only part that needs special attention is the metal spring, which should be dried well so it does not stay damp.
- Remove hair. Pull out any strands caught in the teeth or hinge.
- Soak. Place the clip in lukewarm soapy water for three to five minutes.
- Brush. Use a soft toothbrush between the teeth and around the hinge.
- Rinse. Rinse under lukewarm running water.
- Dry. Pat dry with a towel, open and close the clip a few times to shake water from the spring, then leave it open on a towel to air-dry.
Avoid hot water and harsh solvents. Britannica notes that cellulose diacetate dissolves in solvents such as acetone, which is found in many nail polish removers, so keep acetate clips away from it. Read more about the material in What Is Acetate?
How to clean metal claw clips
Most metal hair clips are alloy with an electroplated finish in gold, silver or gunmetal tones. Plating is a thin layer, so it should be wiped rather than scrubbed. Soaking is unnecessary; a damp cloth and a dry cloth are usually enough.
- Wipe the clip with a cloth dampened with lukewarm water and a little mild soap.
- Use the toothbrush gently between the teeth if needed.
- Wipe with a clean damp cloth to remove soap.
- Dry immediately and thoroughly with a soft cloth.
Skip abrasive powders, scouring pads and jewelry dips not meant for plated metal, which can wear the finish.
How to clean fabric, velvet and satin clips
Fabric bows, velvet barrettes and satin headbands should not be soaked, because water can affect the shape, glue and backing. Spot clean instead.
- Brush off dust with a soft, dry toothbrush.
- Dab marks with a cloth barely dampened with water and a drop of mild soap.
- Blot with a dry cloth and let air-dry fully, keeping the bow's shape.
- For velvet, brush gently in the direction of the pile once dry.
How to clean pearl and rhinestone clips
Decorative stones and faux pearls are often set with adhesive, so soaking can loosen them. Wipe them with a soft, dry or barely damp cloth, and use a dry soft brush to remove dust from settings. Avoid perfume and hairspray directly on the stones; style first, then add the clip.
Cleaning guide by material
| Material | Soak? | Method | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetate | Briefly | Mild soap, soft brush, dry well | Acetone, hot water |
| Acrylic and resin | Briefly | Mild soap, soft brush, dry well | Hot water, harsh solvents |
| Metal (plated) | No | Damp cloth, gentle brush, dry at once | Abrasives, long soaking |
| Fabric, velvet, satin | No | Dry brush, spot clean, air-dry | Soaking, wringing |
| Pearls and rhinestones | No | Soft dry cloth or brush | Soaking, perfume, hairspray on stones |
| Faux leather | No | Damp cloth wipe, dry | Soaking, heat |
How often should you clean hair clips?
For clips you wear daily, a quick wipe once a week and a proper wash about once a month keeps them fresh. Clips worn occasionally can be cleaned when they look dull or feel sticky. Clean any clip that has been worn with heavy styling products sooner.
A simple monthly clip-care routine
Setting aside ten minutes once a month keeps a whole collection in good shape. Gather every clip you have worn that month, sort them by material and work through the table above in one go. It is also the moment to spot clips that need retiring.
- Collect every clip from your bag, car, desk and bathroom.
- Sort into washable (acetate, acrylic, resin) and wipe-only (metal, fabric, pearl, rhinestone).
- Soak the washable clips while you wipe the others.
- Brush, rinse and dry.
- Check each spring and tooth before putting clips away.
Habits that make clips last longer
Most claw clips break from handling, not wear. A few habits protect the hinge and the material and keep the clip gripping well for longer.
- Do not over-open the clip. Opening it wider than needed stretches the spring.
- Size correctly. Forcing a small clip over a big twist strains it. See why claw clips fall out for signs your clip is too small.
- Do not sleep in it. Rolling over can snap a clip.
- Keep it off hot surfaces. Car dashboards and hot styling tools can warp plastics.
- Store it safely. Clips break most often when dropped on hard floors or crushed in bags.
Looking after clips when you travel
Travel is hard on clips: they get crushed in bags and left in hot cars. Pack claw clips in a small zip pouch or clip them onto the inside of a toiletry bag, keep pins in a tin, and do not leave clips on a car dashboard in summer. If a clip gets sunscreen or sea water on it, rinse it in fresh water and dry it that day.
Storing clean clips
Once clean and dry, store clips where they are visible and protected. A hanging organizer, such as our hanging felt claw clip organizer (78 x 35 cm), keeps each clip clipped by its own teeth so they do not knock together. Our guide to organizing hair accessories has more storage ideas.
When to retire a clip
Replace a claw clip if the spring no longer snaps shut, the hinge pin has worked loose, a tooth has cracked or broken off, or there is a crack anywhere along the jaws. A damaged clip will not grip reliably and broken edges can snag hair.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put claw clips in the dishwasher?
It is better not to. Dishwasher heat and detergent can warp plastics, dull finishes and affect the metal spring.
How do I get hairspray buildup off a clip?
Soak plastic clips in lukewarm soapy water for a few minutes, then brush between the teeth. Wipe metal clips with a soapy cloth.
Can I use alcohol to disinfect clips?
Mild soap and water are usually enough for everyday cleaning. Test any other product on a hidden spot first, and keep acetone away from acetate.
Why is my clean clip still sticky?
Soap residue. Rinse it again under lukewarm running water and dry thoroughly.
Can I fix a loose claw clip spring?
Sometimes a spring can be pushed back into place, but a clip that no longer closes firmly is safer to replace.
Keep your collection fresh
Find storage in our gift sets and storage collection, and see every clip type in Types of Hair Clips. Orders ship within the US for a flat $6.99, or free on orders of $79 or more.
Sources
- Encyclopaedia Britannica, Cellulose acetate, published July 22, 2009, accessed October 21, 2026.
