If you use a curling iron or a flat iron, then you need a way to pack and carry it whenever you travel, right?
Or, you might just want a way to cover and store your hot hair styling tools on your bathroom vanity when they’re not in use.
Another time that a heat-resistant cover makes sense is when you’re actually using your curling iron. I mean… I don’t like to place my curling iron directly on the countertop (even though it has a little built-in stand that elevates it a bit off the counter itself).
I have a simple DIY idea that works in all of the above scenarios.
My idea utilizes a simple everyday household item that you probably already own…
Kitchen Pot Holder = Curling Iron Cover
This photo shows what I do to keep my incredibly hot curling iron from touching things that could melt or burn:
Yep, before heat-resistant curling iron covers and curling iron mats were invented, I made my own! And I still use them to this day.
My first DIY curling iron covers were:
- A silicone trivet or hot pad (for home use)
- A silicone oven mitt (for travel)
These are items that you probably already have in your kitchen.
#1 – To keep the heat from my curling iron from scorching the bathroom countertop, I simply place a silicone hot pad on the countertop, and let the hot curling iron rest directly on the silicone pad itself.
#2 – To pack and/or travel with a curling iron that hasn’t cooled completely, I slip the hot end of the curling iron into a silicone oven mitt.
Silicone Pot Holders Work Best
Technically, any kitchen pot holders would work (yes, back in my college years I even used those old cloth-type pot holders), but silicone pot holders work the best.
Silicone is great because it can touch hot items up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit without melting or burning.
Plus, you cannot feel a bit of the heat escaping through the silicone itself (like you can with a “normal” or old-fashioned pot holder) — so it always stays cool to the touch on the outside.
The silicone pot holders that I use as curling iron covers today:
- Colinda Silicone Trivet — it’s flat, has plenty of space to put the hot part of the curling iron on, and it’s white so it blends into my bathroom decor. (Although a fun pop of color might be nice.) This silicone hot pad protects my countertop!
- Gorilla Grip Silicone Oven Mitt — it’s long enough to cover the entire curling iron. Just wrap the cord around the outside of the silicone mitt when you’re packing it for travel — even if it’s still hot. (To keep the cord firmly in place in my suitcase, I sometimes use long velcro cable ties.)
Modern Options Cool, But Expensive
These days, there are a number of different products that are made specifically for this purpose.
Most are marketed as “flat iron travel pouches” and “heat-resistant mats for hot styling tools.” They range between $5 and $20.
- The Hotty Hoody is a unique product that was designed just for this purpose. It is priced between $17 and $25.
- The Polder Hot Sleeve Cover is another version that has a hook to hang it over the ledge of a pull-out drawer or cabinet — which is handy for home use, as well as travel. (They also have a folding version that “stands up” and looks nice enough to keep your hot tools stored on your countertop.) These are really inexpensive at $10 to $20.
I think these are the 3 best cool sleeves for your hot styling tools AND they take care of the pack & travel scenario quite well:
- They’re long and narrow — so they take up very little space.
- They protect any surface from the heat emanating off of a hot iron.
- They will fit just about any hair styling tool — including a curling iron, hair straightener, or flat iron.
This video shows how the Hotty Hoody curling iron cover works (and it gets pretty good ratings, too):
Make Your Own DIY Cover For Hot Styling Tools
This next video from Dollar Tree DIY provides step-by-step super easy instructions to make your own heat-resistant protective cover for your curling iron or hair straightener.
It’s no-sew and utilizes a cloth potholder (rather than a silicone one):
I like to help people find clever ways to do things that will save time & money — so I write about "outside the box" Beauty Tips and Beauty Hacks that most people wouldn't think of. With beauty products (like hair care, skincare, and makeup) and personal care items (like teeth issues, body odor, undergarments, and <em>other</em> topics that very few people enjoy talking about)… I share my own honest firsthand experiences that I think others would appreciate hearing about and find helpful. Especially for topics that are usually very "private" and most people don't like to talk about publicly! When I'm not trying new beauty products and organizing all my "stuff", you'll find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites).
