With a little TLC, a hair dryer can be your grooming companion for years to come. But have you ever thought about how to clean a hair dryer, or if cleaning it is even necessary?
In our handy guide, we’ll share tips on how to clean your hair dryer easily and safely – helping you achieve salon grade looks for longer. Here’s how to clean and maintain your styling tools to a professional standard, plus when it might be time to replace them.
We’ve also included instructions for how to clean Bellissima Italia hair dryers.
Do I really need to clean my hair dryer?
Like any other electrical appliance, your hair dryer needs regular maintenance.
When you use your hair dryer, air sucked in through the grill at the back passes through a filter, then is heated and blown out the other end to dry your hair. Dust, hair, debris, and products can also be sucked in, accumulating around the air vents and in the filter.
1. This makes drying your hair take longer
Debris in the filter stops your hairdryer from working at peak performance, as it blocks the air flow. This means it takes longer to get the look you want and uses more electricity.
2. The dryer could overheat or start a fire
Even more scary, a filter clogged with hair and debris stops air from being able to escape the hair dryer, causing it to overheat. If your hair dryer gets too hot, it can damage your hair and cause dryness or breakage, or even overheat to be a potential safety hazard.
How often you should clean your hair dryer
How often you need to clean your hair dryer will depend on how often you use it. It might be an essential part of your daily routine, or just occasional styling for big nights out.
For example, if your entire household shares a hairdryer, look at checking the filter and giving it a clean once a week. The average person will probably have to clean their hair dryer every month or so – if you think you’ll forget, why not set yourself a reminder?
If you notice your hair dryer starts to take longer to dry your hair, feels overly hot, or makes any unusual smells or noises, it could be time to give the filter a clean.
Cleaning your hair dryer doesn’t take long, and regular checks keep it looking its best!
What you need before you get started
Before you start to clean your hair dryer, check any instructions that came with it.
For example, a diagram explaining any special measures for removing the filter or any extra parts. There may be multiple layers to the filter, like delicate mesh and an outer filter guard. Some professional dryers have a self-cleaning feature, so take this into account.
Things to help clean your hair dryer
- Screwdriver to remove the back cover
- Soft brush or compressed air, to dislodge debris
- Mild detergent, shampoo, or rubbing alcohol
- Cotton buds or a small brush for detailed cleaning
- Clean, dry cloth for wiping down the exterior
- Replacement parts, if needed (e.g. filters)
- An old toothbrush or a vacuum cleaner
How to clean a hair dryer - step-by-step
Now, let's get into the finer details of cleaning your hair dryer. Follow these steps:
Step 1 - Unplug and cool
First, unplug the hairdryer and let it cool down completely! This helps you stay safe from electricity, or burning yourself on any internal parts - a hair dryer can get very hot.
Step 2 - Remove the filter
Carefully remove the filter on the back of the hair dryer, using a screwdriver if necessary. It’s worth doing this over a flat surface, to catch any screws or small loose parts.
Step 3 - Remove dust and debris
Put the hair dryer filter to one side (we’ll get to that later), and use the soft brush or compressed air to dislodge and remove any dust and debris from inside the hair dryer.
Step 4 - Clean hard-to-reach areas
For detailed cleaning, like the heating element or the fan, gently clean with cotton buds or a small brush. You can also vacuum any bits using a low setting, if the dryer is very dirty.
Step 5 - Clean the filter
Depending on the type of filter, you can wash it with shampoo if it’s a removable mesh, or use an old toothbrush to manually remove debris if the filter guard is not removable.
Step 6 - Wipe the exterior
While the filter is drying, clean the outside of the hair dryer with a clean cloth dampened with a mild detergent or rubbing alcohol. Be sure to let it dry thoroughly afterward.
Step 7 - Reassemble the dryer
Once everything has completely dried, reassemble the hair dryer and ensure it’s secure. You can give it a final blast on cool, pointing the dryer down, to blow out any debris.
What about cleaning a Bellissima Italia dryer?
Please note, if you have a Bellissima Italia hairdryer, we’ve perfected a way to clean it!
How to clean your appliance and accessories
Use a damp cloth to wipe your Bellissima Italia hair dryer and accessories like the nozzle and diffuser. Avoid solvents or aggressive or abrasive detergents on the outer surface.
You should also check the intake opening regularly and remove any hair and dust.
How to clean the intake filter on a Bellissima Italia dryer
If the Bellissima Italia hair dryer has a removable cap and filter, you should clean this regularly.
The more dust that is present in the place you use your dryer, the more often the filter needs cleaning. To clean the internal filter, follow these steps for Bellissima Italia dryers:
- Open the filter cap (this should be easy to twist off if it’s removable)
- Remove and wipe the front and rear of the filter or retina with a damp cloth
- Wipe the front and rear of the removable filter cap with a damp cloth
- Let the hair dryer parts dry well and put them back in a reverse order
How to clean a hair dryer brush
To keep your hair dryer brush working well and lasting longer, follow these steps:
- Ensure it’s unplugged and fully cooled before cleaning
- Use a small brush or comb to gently clear out tangled hair and product residue
- With a damp cloth, gently clean the bristles and barrel, avoiding abrasive cleaners
- Let it dry completely before storing or using again
When to replace your old hair dryer
If you’ve cleaned your hair dryer and it’s still doing one or more of the following:
- Taking a long time to dry your hair
- Making strange noises or smells
- Turning off or getting overly hot
It may be time to replace your hair dryer. Despite the best of care, they have a limited life span. There are many professional hair dryers to choose from at Bellissima Italia.
By following our guide, you can ensure your dryer keeps your hair looking its best.
