The thought of how to clean a hair dryer probably isn’t one to keep you awake at night. However, when your hair dryer isn’t working properly or stops working, you start paying attention, and it could be too late. We’re saying that knowing how to clean a hair dryer can save you money down the line.
A hairdryer is one of those staple tools in your hair care routine that can not be missed; there is one present in every household. Since it is such an important investment, you certainly would want it to last for as long as possible. To do that, your dryer needs maintenance, which includes proper cleaning, storing, etc.
But cleaning a hair dryer goes beyond just replacing a broken styling tool; a dirty hair dryer can ruin your day if it blows dust right back onto your clean hair; and worse, it can be a fire hazard when the dust prevents the dryer from properly venting, and you certainly want to avoid a dryer in flames.
So even though you don’t give cleaning your hair dryer much thought, we can’t stress enough how important it is to know how to clean a hair dryer. Contrary to what you may think, though it is not rocket science, there is actually a right and wrong approach. But don’t worry; we’re here to tell you all about the best way to clean a hair dryer.
Products Reviewed In This Article
Best Washcloths: Amazon Basics Luxury Performance Washcloths
⇣ Jump to ReviewBest Brush Set: OXO Good Grips Deep Clean Brush Set
⇣ Jump to ReviewHow To Clean A Hair Dryer Benefits
Stronger Airflow
Most hair dryers have a motor with a propeller in the back end, which is also where the dryer filter is located.
If the debris of dirt and hair blocks the filter, a blow dryer’s drying capability can be affected significantly as it does not have enough airflow to push out.
Lessen Noise
A clogged hair dryer’s vents can be very noisy because airflow can not go through the dryer’s components smoothly; this won’t happen if you know how to clean a hair dryer.
If the dryer has a clogged filter, the air can only be aspirated into the dryer through some tiny holes, which will produce a high-pitched sound because of high-speed airflow.
Prevent Hair Damage
When there is not enough airflow in the internal body of your hair dryer, the hair dryer gets super hot. That is not a good thing when it comes to blowdrying.
High heat can destroy your hair finish and cuticles, making them lose proteins and nutrients. Moreover, the hair dryer could malfunction easily if the internal temperature is too high.
How To Clean A Hair Dryer Step By Step
Cleaning A Regular Hair Dryer
Step 1 First Remove the guard or filter
Most hair dryers have a removable piece protecting the vent on the hair dryer, so if it’s possible, take that off first.
Step 2 Get as much dust loose as possible
Once you get into your hair dryer, use your finger or vacuum to remove as much dust and lint as possible. This doesn’t have to be an in-depth clean; you’re just trying to get past the biggest amount of dust.
Step 3 Use a toothpick for better cleaning
After the worst of the mess is taken care of, use a toothpick to pull out the dust that’s too hard to reach with your finger, like in between the vents.
Step 4 Clean: Amazon Basics Luxury Performance Washcloths
Using a washcloth, a damp cotton swab, or a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol and wrung out, clean the dryer as much as possible.
You can use Amazon Basics Luxury Performance Washcloths. These are soft, 100% Egyptian long staple cotton construction that offers tear-resistant strength.
The solid color design adds a classic look to your bathroom; plush, absorbent 600 GSM weave. The set includes six washcloths of 12 x 12 inches. Machine wash and dry.
The Egyptian washcloths were soft, absorbent, and lint-free. These will be the most beautiful color and thicknesses and most luxurious washcloths you’ll ever use.
Step 5 Let dry completely
Put the guard or filter back on the hair dryer, and then set the hair dryer aside to dry for a few hours before use.
Cleaning A Professional Hair Dryer
Step 1 Pull out the filter
You will find the filter cage can be opened; all you have to do is a gentle pull. Then clean the filter cage with running water and let it dry.
Step 2 Use a brush: OXO Good Grips Deep Clean Brush Set
If you think the filter still has debris left, clean it with a small wire brush and wash it again.
We recommend using the OXO Good Grips Deep Clean Brush Set, which includes a large brush and a small brush with a wiper blade.
The large brush is great for grout, shower door tracks, stove tops, and more. The small brush is perfect for fixtures and other tight spaces.
Small Brush’s wiper blade cleans built-up dirt from drains and other crevices. Nylon bristles are durable scrubbing bristles.
Step 3 Clean the rest
Finally, you can clean the bottom part of the handle with a soft cloth if there is any visible debris.
How To Clean A Hair Dryer Additional Tips
- Whenever you are cleaning your hair dryer, please be sure that the plug is not in the wall. It is not enough to clean with the power off; the cable must not be in the wall.
- Organizing your hair tools can also impact your blow dryer’s lifetime. Do not put your blow dryer near a damp place. Otherwise, the moisture in the air can sneak into the blow dryer inside, causing the electronics to be damaged.
- You should not place your dryer under the sun, either. The high heat sunshine will degrade electronics’ quality and performance. And it will also make the coating of your hair dryer fade.
- If a hair dryer has not been used for a long time, it’s recommended to turn on the dryer once a month. This is for cleaning the dirt and drying the dryer’s moisture. The method can protect the motor from aging and moisture. Then you will not have to worry about motor performance decline.
- Make sure to remove the filter gently, to avoid any breaks or cracks on your hair dryer. Usually, the filter will twist off in a rotation motion or via an unlatch/unclip lift. Normally upon closure, you will hear a ‘click’ noise, indicating that it is securely fixed and ready to blow dry again.
- Once your cleaning is all done, you can return the filter cap to its original position. Whether it’s a latch, clip, or rotate closure, just be sure to do it gently but firmly.
Common Questions About Cleaning A Hair Dryer
Should you know how to clean a hair dryer?
Hair dryers tend to collect hair and dust in their vents; that’s the back end with the grill. Cleaning that junk out can prolong the life of your hair dryer, but not cleaning it out can cause it to shoot small flames out the back end in some cases.
Is cleaning a hair dryer worth it?
Hair dryers collect dust, lint, and hair in the back vents. The vents are where they draw in air to blow through the hair dryer. So whatever is in or around the vents when the hair dryer is on is sucked in or stuck on the grills.
Over time you start to develop lint on the outside of the grills. This stops airflow into the hair dryer, making the motor work harder and eventually burning up the motor.
Is cleaning a hair dryer hard?
Cleaning a hair dryer is extremely easy; it just takes a few minutes once a month. You can take a few minutes to clean a hair dryer and get all the lint out, making the motor last longer.
Do hair dryers get dusty?
When learning how to clean a hair dryer, you should know that, in the filter, you will find various bits of dust, lint, and material that have accumulated over time. Simply swipe the warm damp hand towel over the area, picking up all materials.
You can then wipe again with a dry section of the hand towel, ensuring everything is removed.
An area that is often neglected more than the filter of a dryer is the outside of it too. When cleaning, take time to give the hair dryer a warm hand towel wipe-over on its superficial layer.
What is the best way to clean a hair dryer?
Using just water may not do a proper job; the best way to clean a hair dryer and remove stickiness is to use a washcloth and rubbing alcohol.
Why do hair dryers get sticky?
Soft plastic surfaces sometimes become sticky as they age, such is the case with hairdryers, old pens, mice, etc. Soap does not affect this sticky film, and often it is the reason stuff is thrown out.
How often should you clean your hair dryer?
It is particularly important to maintain your hair dryer consistently. Depending on how often you dry your hair, you should aim to clean it somewhere between once a week and every three weeks.
For heavy-duty, high-use hair dryers, it is recommended to clean them more frequently. In addition, to get the entire residue, you may need a more delicate, malleable object to pick up trapped lint.
How do you clean a Philips hair dryer?
Clean the body of the dryer regularly with a damp cloth. Use a vacuum cleaner or cotton swab to clear the dust on the grilles. Store your hair dryer in a safe and dry place, free of dust. You can also hang it with the hanging loop.
How do you clean a hot tools hair dryer?
Make sure they are unplugged before starting. Moisten a cloth with water and rub over the surfaces over and over again to get rid of as much buildup as possible.
If water doesn’t work, add a little rubbing alcohol (or a professional iron cleaner, if you’d like). Dry the hot tool entirely before using it.
How To Clean A Hair Dryer Video Tutorial
The video below will tell you how easy it is to learn how to clean a hair dryer. The process requires minimum tools and takes just a few minutes.
Products Mentioned In This Article
Disclosure: The Hair Products recommended in this article are our top favorites because they have a great combination of quality, features, and affordability. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through the links as a way to support this site. If you buy a qualifying product, you’re not charged anything extra, but I’ll get a small commission to help pay for my expenses. I hope you find our advice helpful and discover the Best Hair Products for your needs on this list.
