Energize and Organize: Hair Dryer Safety

This morning, while drying my hair, I noticed an unpleasant smell coming from my relatively new hair dryer.  Upon investigation, I noticed that the protective screen filter was filled with dust.  I cleaned the filter with an unused toothbrush and got the remaining dust specks out with tweezers.  

That got me to thinking about the function of a hair dryer which led, of course, to a quick Google search.  I learned the following from How Stuff Works.com ...

Protective screens - When air is drawn into the hair dryer as the fan blades turn, other things outside the hair dryer are also pulled toward the air intake. This is why you'll find a wire screen covering the air holes on either side of the dryer.

After you've used a hair dryer for a while, you'll find a large amount of lint building up on the outside of the screen. If this were to build up inside the hair dryer, it would be scorched by the heating element or might even clog the motor itself.

Even with this screen in place, you'll need to periodically pick lint off the screen. Too much lint can block the airflow into the dryer, and the hair dryer will overheat with less air carrying away the heat generated by the chrome coil or other type of heating element. Newer hair dryers have incorporated some technology from the clothes dryer: a removable lint screen that's easier to clean.  Sounds great!

In addition, the How Stuff Works.com link provides useful information about How Hair Dryers Work, Hair Dryer Basics, Hair Dryer Air Flow, Heating a Hair Dryer, Hair Dryer Safety and more!  Visit home.howstuffworks.com/hair-dryer4.htm to learn everything you ever wanted to know about a hair dryer and were afraid to ask. :-)

While you are at it, be sure to take the time to organize your hair products in your most accessible drawer, basket, shelf and/or zone. Group like with like and you will discover that all of your favorite hair styling tools will be right at your fingertips.  Your daily hair styling will be a pleasure ... what a great way to start each new day! 

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​Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts     Contact:  617.640.2366    www.energizeandorganize.com​​