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  • Hair-Dryer Maintenance
  • From "DIY Home Repair & Remodeling"
    episode DIR-133
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    Figure A

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    Figure B

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    When removing small screws from an appliance, line them up on a piece of tape to keep them from getting lost.

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    Figure C

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    Figure D

    One of the best ways to keep your hair dryer in top working order is to keep it clean. The filter on the intake vent helps to keep dust from accumulating inside the hair dryer, but the filter will need to be cleaned occasionally. Keep an eye on the filter, and clean it with a toothbrush (figure A) or tweezers if you notice it getting dirty.

    Most hair dryers have a thermostat that shuts off the power if the unit gets too hot. If your hair dryer overheats and shuts off, just let it rest for a few minutes and turn it on again. If it still isn't working after a few minutes, check the electrical outlet.

    If the outlet is still working, you can check inside the hair dryer to see if you can fix the problem. First, unplug the unit; then remove the screws holding the body of the hair dryer together (figure B).

    Clean out any lint and dust from inside the hair dryer, and check the electrical connections on the power switch. Wipe out the housing with a damp cloth, and use tweezers to remove lint from the fan (figure C). After you've cleaned the hair dryer, you can use a can of compressed air to blow out any additional dust or lint.

    If the hair dryer blows but doesn't get hot, check the heating element (figure D). Be careful, because the heating element is very fragile. If it's broken, you'll probably be better off buying a new hair dryer.

    Fit the pieces back together, and reassemble the hair dryer. Then, plug it in and test it.

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