Taking care of hair appliances is important considering how much we pay for things some use daily. I try not to use hair dryers, curling irons or hot irons if at all possible. When the occasion arises and I need mine, nothing is more frustrating than if it is not working properly.
Blow dryers get hair, dust, lint, and what I call "unknowns" in them quite frequently. To clean one, you need a Q-tip, hair pin or something that fits it the screen on back of your dryer. My portable one is different than the one I use more often. Just make sure its unplugged. If it doesn't work, make sure the breaker is on. I have made that mistake more than once. Always check outlet to see if it(has the relay/breaker switch) is on.
Once you have done this just take the end of the hair pin/paper clip and twist it around in each little hole. It's mainly hair that is in those holes. Too much of it can make it stop working because of air flow. Be patient, it will take a few minutes but complete the whole screen, do just enough so it will start again. Once you have cleaned all the hair, lint, etc. out of screen holes, wipe with a cloth damp with rubbing alcohol (or mouth wash) to kill any bacteria. It should start right up once clean.
Now that you know about how to keep it clean, your blow dryer will last longer. You can keep it clean so it won't happen at another in opportune time. I found not leaving it out helps so much. Put everything away when done using so it doesn't just collect dust when not in use. All hair appliances shouldn't be kept out. Helps keep them clean and out of the way of everyday bacteria, dust and things in the air.
Curling irons get build up on them. This is usually from having too high heat along with the hair products we use. Hair also gets tangled around the curling iron. Speaking of frizzy hair, this may be where a lot of breakage may occur. Use a mixture of baking soda and warm water (equal parts) and make a pasty mixture (sometimes thicker is better). Put on and let sit a couple of minutes then wipe off with a soft cloth. This should bring your iron back to the shiny, new surface it was meant to have. Keep your curling irons clean, it will help hair and you won't need to put at as high a setting. Lower heat is better for your hair.
You would treat flat irons/straighteners basically same way except hair products that are recommended using before you flat iron your hair may be tougher to get off. Try using the same mixture. Let sit then wipe if residue is still on repeat.
Once my hair dresser told me nothing would clean her new ceramic straightener. She had tried the baking soda mixture. I asked if she has tried lemon first. She laughed at me. Well I got the last laugh this time. We went next door to the Sushi place I frequently go to and asked for a lemon. I took the sliced lemon and rubbed up and down until I could see the build up starting to dissolve. Once it started to dissolve, we just repeated until it was off, then used baking soda and water. When we wiped it off, it was brand new looking again!
Keeping your brushes, combs , hair clips, etc. clean is important also. You should do this weekly. Germs build up faster than you want to know, putting dust mites in clean hair isn't appealing. I put mine in vinegar water. Let soak and then put on a towel to dry. This kills any dust mites, germs, and disinfects the brush, combs, clips; whatever you use in your hair.
I hope this gives your hair "helpers" a longer life. Keep this in mind when you may see one at a yard sale or thrift store. I would never have been able to afford mine. One day at Amvets, the one I wanted was right in front of me. I would never spend over $100.00 for a blow dryer, but I did spend 10 dollars on new looking one that had just at been on the market a few months. Taking care of our things leaves us with money from not having to replace them.
Source: Growing up in the country, I learned many things about not wasting and taking care of what little we did have. I knew lemon slices worked on copper, brass so I gave it a try. Baking soda and lemons (or juice) have many uses.
By Luana M. from San Diego, CA
