Checking the temperature by testing the tool on a piece of white paper towel is performed for:

• A. Steam irons
• B. Electric irons
• C. Stove-heated thermal irons and combs
• D. Hairdryers

Answer: (C)

Checking temperature with a white paper towel is a safety check used for heated styling tools to make sure their surface isn’t too hot before contact with hair. This method is especially important for stove-heated thermal irons and combs, because they don’t have continuous electrical temperature control. When you heat them on a stove, you can get hot spots or temperatures that spike beyond what you want for safe use, so testing on a white towel helps you gauge when the tool has reached a safe, manageable heat. If the towel shows scorching or browning, you know to lower the heat or wait until it cools a bit before using it on hair. Steam irons and electric irons already have built-in thermostats and indicators guiding their temperature, so the paper-towel test isn’t the standard safety check for them. Hairdryers produce warm air rather than a flat, controllable iron surface, so this specific test isn’t applicable to them either.