21 Uses For A Hair Dryer That'll Blow Your Mind

21 Uses For A Hair Dryer That'll Blow Your Mind

Your trusty hair dryer does a great job with your hair, but did you know it can do other things too? I've got 21 uses for it that will blow (get it?) your mind.

Do you use your blow dryer for anything other than drying your hair? Let us know in the comments section below.

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1. Unstick a photograph

Unstick-your-photographs-with-a-hair-dryer
Has it unstuck?


Want to remove a photograph that just won't budge? Pick up your hair dryer and blow slightly warm air onto the back of the page. Slowly peel off your photograph. Great news, now your photograph is no longer stuck.

2. Dust hard-to-reach places with your hair dryer

If you're short or those shelves are placed way too high, go fetch your hair dryer. Tricky shelves and corners don't have to be a dusting nightmare, grab your hair dryer and blow all the dust away. Be sure to do this before you vacuum or the dust will go onto the floor.

3. Unwrinkle plastic tablecloths

You've got a party planned and unrolled your plastic table cloth to find loads of wrinkles! Don't panic, blast away those annoying wrinkles by holding your hair dryer at least 12 inches away from your plastic tablecloth. Now you're ready for that party!

4. Dry your toothbrush

Before you set off on a lovely holiday, use your hair dryer to dry out your toothbrush. Now it won't be wet for your trip! For more holiday hacks, read 10 brilliant packing tips for your suitcase and check out Collette's 22 weird and wonderful uses for your old toothbrush if you want to see what else you can do with your brush.

5. Clean artificial & real plants

Clean-artificial-&-real-flowers
Gently blow the dust away


Use a gentle cool setting to help blow away dust and debris from your real and fake plants. This is an easy way to get rid of any dust, or cobwebs that may have built up. Vaccuum after.

6. Remove label stickers

If you've just purchased a new pan or picked up a present for someone and the label sticker won't shift, then there's something you can do to help it unstick. Use your hair dryer to blow hot air on it and the label adhesive should unstick.

7. Dry a pair of tights

It's that time of year again when you say goodbye to bare legs and hello to tights. If you were surprised by the cold weather and don't have any clean tights to hand, wash them quickly and then dry them with your hair dryer. Extra bonus - they'll be nice and toasty when you put them on.

8. De-mist the bathroom mirror

It's the morning and you're in a big rush. You've had your shower and now need to check your hair, but oh no - the mirror is completely steamed up! Try not to panic, aim your hair dryer on the mirror and you'll be able to see your reflection again.

9. Heat up candle wax

Unstick candle wax with a hair dryer
Three candles, in a row


Did you get a little carried away with lighting candles? If you've gone a little candle-crazy and spilled wax onto wooden furniture, use your hair dryer on a medium heat to heat it back up again. Once it has is you'll be able to easily peel the wax off.

10. Enjoy glossy cake icing

Everyone loves a bit of cake, especially if it's got icing on top. With a low setting, aim your hair dryer at your cake's icing. Use a cake spreader to smooth out your icing. You can achieve a glossy-looking finish that will wow everybody!

11. Help plaster pain

That plaster you've been putting off for ages - worry no longer. Use your trusty hairdryer to blow some warm air on it. The adhesive will be loosened so you can pull your plaster off with ease.

12. Get rid of crayon marks

If your little darlings have marked the wall with their crayons, grit your teeth and pull out the hair dryer. Heat up the marks until they're soft and then scrub away with some hot soapy water.

13. Stretch new leather shoes

Loosen leather shoes with a hair dryer
Make some room!


You've just purchased some beautiful new shoes, but, alas - they hurt your poor heels. Whack on a pair of thick socks and blow the hair dryer into the heel area of the shoes. Put them on and walk around until the heat has stretched out the leather.

14. Wet trainers

It's raining, it's pouring, and annoyingly you've stepped in a puddle and absolutely saturated your poor trainers. You don't want to take your chances with wet shoes - they might start to stink! 

You might be wondering if you can put your shoes in the dryer, but we have a better idea. Whip a hair dryer out and us it to blast the insides.

15. Blow dry your pet

After a nice bath, and a towel rub until they are semi-dry, grab your hair dryer and on a low setting, dry your pet. Be sure to keep it a good distance away from your pooch.

16. Heat ice cream

Is the ice cream too frozen? Take your hairdryer and gently use it to slightly warm up the ice cream so you can stick your scoop in. Easy!

17. Dry your nail polish

Nail polishes in a box
What colour today?


We've all been there. You've promised to be on time, but your nails are still sopping wet. What do you do? Gingerly pick up your hair dryer and use it to dry your nail polish.

18. Dust the keyboard

Your keyboard might be full of lots of dust, as well as crumbs from sandwiches and other delights. Clean it out with a gentle cool blow of your hairdryer.

19. De-wrinkle your clothes

Heading out but spotted some wrinkles on your top? Dampen the area with a water spray bottle and then get our your hairdryer. Visit Collette's 10 ways to de-wrinkle your clothes for other great tips.

20. Dry the salt & pepper grinders

Sometimes you just have to wash out your salt and pepper grinders. Make sure they're thoroughly dry before putting more salt and pepper in, by blowing a hair dryer into the grinders.

21. Warm socks

Socks and a hair dryer
Toasty warm!


This is a little bit of a treat, so only do this on the days when you really are feeling the cold! On a cold winter's day, blast the inside of your socks with your hair dryer. You can benefit from the heat before you head out in the cold.

What a lot of uses! I hope you enjoyed reading about them...

Colleen B

Editor

Lifelong biscuit addict. Obsessed with recipes, cooking & eating. Slightly lazier than the average bear, so likes writing about life hacks & discovering the quickest / easiest way to do things.

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  1. Author Jane on October 11, 2016 at 8:13 am

    I like to dry my personal bits with a hairdryer and also if u have a scar, dry with a hairdryer till it heals. Good for drying feet properly too.

    1. Author Colleen B on October 19, 2016 at 3:12 pm

      Thanks for your tips Jane!

    Reply
  2. Author Vivian Humble on October 11, 2016 at 8:36 am

    Great tips, mine is use your hair dryer in a warm setting to dry between toes, especially if you have athletes foot. Do this before applying cream for a speedy cure.

    1. Author Colleen B on November 15, 2016 at 12:44 pm

      Thanks for your tip Vivian - very useful.

    Reply
  3. Author Timothy w Andrews on October 11, 2016 at 8:41 am

    We use a hairdryer, to dry out electrics on mobility schooters at Shopmobility in Paignton. Sometimes rain gets in through the keyhole , if the keyhole is on top of the tiller.

    1. Author Colleen B on October 14, 2016 at 8:26 am

      What a use - thanks for letting us know Timothy. I've never thought about rain getting in through a keyhole!

    Reply
  4. Author Kate Kiff on October 11, 2016 at 8:43 am

    I use my hairdryer to help defrost my freezer, only takes a short time

    1. Author Colleen B on October 11, 2016 at 3:41 pm

      Thanks Kate - That's a great tip!

    Reply
  5. Author Janet Pughe on October 11, 2016 at 8:50 am

    I use my hairdryer when defrosting the freezer to remove stubborn ice. initially I put a bowl of boiling water in to loosen). Really speeds up a horrible job.

    1. Author Colleen B on October 11, 2016 at 3:40 pm

      Thanks Janet, a fantastic tip. I agree, defrosting really is a horrible job!

    2. Author Mary on April 3, 2017 at 8:46 pm

      I was dreading doing mine tomorrow now I cant wait to try this Thank you

    Reply
  6. Author Donatello46 on October 11, 2016 at 9:40 am

    I use a hair dryer to defrost my upright freezer! Starting with an empty freezer, switched off (obviously), set the dryer to a high heat and high airflow setting, work from top to bottom, front to back, drying the shelves as you go and keep the dryer OUTSIDE the freezer cavity until the shelves are no longer dripping - you don't want water dripping on an electric hair dryer! The ice will loosen and fall off in slabs so you'll need a bowl to catch the ice. It cuts down the defrosting time considerably and is, in my opinion, far better than chemical sprays BUT you must be careful not to allow water to drip onto the dryer, water and electricity don't play nicely together.

    1. Author Colleen B on October 11, 2016 at 3:39 pm

      What a great tip, thank you Donatello.

    Reply
  7. Author Roger Merchant on October 11, 2016 at 9:44 am

    Al;so use for taking decals off motor vehicles.

    1. Author Colleen B on October 11, 2016 at 3:38 pm

      That's a wonderful tip, thanks Roger.

    Reply
  8. Author cd on October 11, 2016 at 12:54 pm

    i think you repeated one.... :oP

    1. Author Colleen B on October 11, 2016 at 3:37 pm

      Hi CD you're completely correct - that has now been edited. Thanks for letting me know!

    Reply
  9. Author Reginald Shaxted on October 11, 2016 at 5:00 pm

    I use the hair dryer to dry my skin on my legs as i have very thin skin and even just dabbing a towel on them can pull the skin off.

    1. Author Colleen B on October 14, 2016 at 8:24 am

      That's an interesting tip Reginald, thanks for letting us know. Hope you enjoyed the rest of the blog post!

    Reply
  10. Author Louise Comb on October 12, 2016 at 6:09 am

    So interesting, and a few tips I'm defo gonna try out. Thanks ?

    1. Author Colleen B on October 14, 2016 at 8:23 am

      Thanks Louise, hope you enjoy looking at the rest of our blog!

    Reply
  11. Author Debbie on October 12, 2016 at 12:49 pm

    I fear I'm not original, I fear I'm too banal, in truth I haven't tried any of these at all! I know I really ought to, I ought to stretch my wings, I ought to use my hair dryer for all these useful things. It sits there and looks at me, in pity and contempt, as if to say, come on, just try, just make an attempt, my life is getting boring, my life is getting dull, other dryers live a life that's rich and good and full, and when I look at mine - it just doesn't compare - the only thing you use me for is - well to dry your hair!!!!!

    1. Author Colleen B on October 19, 2016 at 3:11 pm

      We love to read your poems out loud (I hope that's ok) So please keep writing to us They brighten up our day

    Reply
  12. Author Joyce on January 25, 2017 at 6:23 am

    I use my hair dryer on cold mornings to warm my clothes before I get dressed and at the end of the day to warm my PJs too also I lay the hair dryer nozzle under my quilt with the back end poking out to warm my sheets and duvet up oooh it lovely jumping into a warm bed on a cold night

    1. Author Colleen B on February 1, 2017 at 4:15 pm

      That's a lovely tip Joyce, thank you!

    Reply
  13. Author Carol A on April 3, 2017 at 9:52 am

    Hi, On the net someone used a water bottle end and a hairdryer to inflate a lilo.

    1. Author Stephanie C on April 5, 2017 at 9:36 am

      Hi Carol. I think I've seen this, although have never tried it myself!

    Reply
  14. Author Angela Mcguckin on April 3, 2017 at 1:27 pm

    I use my hairdryer on my fake tan too accelerate its drying time.

    1. Author Stephanie C on April 5, 2017 at 9:35 am

      This is a very good tip, Angela, especially if you're sleeping with it on & don't want stained sheets! Thanks for sharing :)

    Reply
  15. Author PJL on April 3, 2017 at 10:15 pm

    When you have any wound that needs stitches they tend to weep if they are not dried properly after washing/bathing. This then can lead to infection. If you dry the area with a hair dryer on a warm but not hot setting you will find the stitches dry out and the wound heals without any infection. Ladies this also applies to stitches from having babies, it really works and you are not as uncomfortable as it can be.

    1. Author Stephanie C on April 5, 2017 at 9:35 am

      Hi there. Thanks a lot for your medical advice - you sound very informed on the subject! :)

    Reply
  16. Author Indira on April 3, 2017 at 10:22 pm

    When ever you got a cramp on leg use hair dryer to ease pain I ways tell use hair dryer if someone talks about the cramp

    1. Author Stephanie C on April 5, 2017 at 9:34 am

      This is an interesting tip, Indira. Thanks for sharing :)

    Reply
  17. Author Lori Longoria on September 5, 2017 at 8:53 pm

    Good to know! Thanks for good tips and sharing!

    1. Author Stephanie C on September 6, 2017 at 9:21 am

      Hi Lori. It's our pleasure. Thanks a lot for stopping by :)

    Reply
  18. Author LP on March 21, 2018 at 12:22 pm

    I've personally used my hair-dryer also for drying myself more speedily after bathing not just my hair. I do this after having had a skin infection in the past and after doing the research after I got better how to prevent any recurrence I learnt that dryness helps with hygiene 100%. As one of the other commentators above mentions, skin infections such as athlete's foot can be prevented and healed more quickly by making sure the skin is dry as possible. Apparently a common cause of infection is also from towels when they are not properly dried after use so it's important to hang them and dry them out properly after use also. I didn't know about using a dryer to heal scars, some other comments mention, which is interesting and useful to know. I can also confirm when I was younger I had a deep scar on my leg that got stitched up, but unfortunately I got the stitches taken out too soon, and then when I showered and got the wound wet for the first time after the stitches were taken out, the wound then re-opened, because of the skin getting wet. It healed up eventually, but I had to be really careful after. Sometimes now I still get nerve pain in the area around the scar. So I would definitely agree that would have been useful advice to have known to keep the wound dry while it was still healing, in retrospect. I've also used a hair-dryer to dry art-work before, for example when I did my degree we did a printing module and would use hair-dryers and standing blow-dryers to dry our prints. It's interesting hearing all the different uses for drying different things. Funnily enough the reason I found this article now, was because I was looking up on-line about saving on heating bills and found an article about people using hair-dryers to heat their houses. I've personally never heard of that before, but that's another use, even though personally I probably would never do that. I would have thought buying a proper heater, or using a hot-water bottle and blankets might be more efficient in that regard. I read that some people living in houses where the electricity was paid for as part of the contract were using their hair-dryers to heat their houses I guess to save themselves the money to buy extra heaters (I believe in Canada). It was annoying to their neighbours understandably. Strange but true. I then discovered some other people using clothes driers to heat their houses also which was even more unusual. Each to their own, We live in a world with many different and unique ways of doing things that's for sure.

    1. Author Stephanie C on March 21, 2018 at 1:01 pm

      Hi LP, Thank you for your very insightful comment. It's great to hear about all the marvellous ways you've used hair dryers in your time, and also those you've found online too! We've never heated our homes with dryers before, but if we ever get desperate, we'll give it a go! Thanks for stopping by :)

    Reply
  19. Author Leah on August 29, 2019 at 6:00 pm

    I use a hairdryer to dry wet towels after swimming. I also use a hairdryer to dry my cat when it is wet outside. I also use a hairdryer to dry walls after painting them a new color. Another thing you can use a hairdryer for is to dry wet food quickly as well. I use a hair dryer to heat up my apartment too. Did you know you can also use a iron to dry wet towels if you don’t own a drying machine?

    1. Author Joanne A on August 30, 2019 at 11:12 am

      Interesting ideas, Leah! Does the paint not spread out / change in texture from the heat?

    Reply
  20. Author Carole on September 15, 2019 at 12:57 am

    I use my hairdryer for bad headaches and neck tension and on back pain as unlike hot water bottles or microwave heat pads it doesn’t go cold. It can stay by you all plugged in when I’ll without having to get up. I would be lost without mine,

    1. Author Joanne A on September 16, 2019 at 11:42 am

      What a great idea, Carole!

    Reply
  21. Author Chisora on October 2, 2019 at 12:44 am

    To be honest hairdryers for me have always been something that have relaxed me. ASMR I think it’s called. It reminds me when I was young my mother used to dry my hair on cold Winter nights and tuck me into bed. It just makes me feel so warm and nostalgic to be honest I love it. Every time I feel stressed I just put it on and let it relax me. I also vaguely remember as a child being woken up in the morning by my mum drying her hair before she woke me up for school I’d go into her room and snuggle in her bed while she dried her hair. Great memories thank u for this article :)

    1. Author Joanne A on October 2, 2019 at 12:16 pm

      You're welcome, Chisora! We love ASMR too.

    Reply
  22. Author Anita Schilder on October 27, 2019 at 10:42 am

    I use my hair dryer to remove air bubbles from a painted surface. This can be either a DIY project or an art project. I also use it to remove air bubbles from resin before it cures.

    1. Author Joanne A on October 28, 2019 at 11:45 am

      Great idea, Anita!

    Reply
  23. Author NADINE ILLINGWORTH on October 27, 2019 at 11:35 am

    I AM A CRAFTER AND EMBOSSING POWDER CAN BE MELTED BY YOUR HAIR DRYER. ALSO TO UNDO THINGS YOU HAVE TO UNSTICK FROM YOUR PROJECT THAT YOU GLUED IN THE WRONG PLACE LOL . IF YOU HAVE WOOD STAMPS CAN TAKE THEM OFF THE WOOD BLOCK TO STORE JUST THE RUBBER PART.

    1. Author Joanne A on October 28, 2019 at 10:47 am

      Thanks for sharing, Nadine! Great idea.

    Reply
  24. Author Claire on October 28, 2019 at 12:37 pm

    I use mine to soothe insect bites. The heat destroys the protein that causes the itch. Just use the dryer on the bite for a couple of minutes with the highest heat setting you can bear. Gives long-lasting relief.

    1. Author Joanne A on October 28, 2019 at 2:50 pm

      Really? How interesting!

    Reply
  25. Author janice T on March 13, 2020 at 11:54 am

    i am a bigger lady so when i have a shower i cant get places like under my belly and boobs dry with a towel (when damp it caused the skin to break out in sores) so i use my hair dryer. my diabetic nurse said its a great idea. i am going to try defrosting my freezer with my hair dryer, thanks for the tip.

    1. Author Joanne A on March 13, 2020 at 2:54 pm

      That's a great idea, Janice!

    Reply
  26. Author James on March 19, 2020 at 9:41 am

    Annoying little dent in your car door? Heat up using a hair dryer at its highest setting then immediately apply an ice cube to the area (careful it's hot) the dent should pop out. You may need to try more than once but it works most times.

    1. Author Joanne A on March 25, 2020 at 3:24 pm

      Great tip, James!

    Reply
  27. Author Debbie on March 24, 2020 at 8:08 am

    Use a hairdryer to get water marks out of polished wood. On the hottest setting, just let it blow on the mark until it disappears. Move around over the mark, don't stay in one spot for more than 6 or 7 seconds. It takes about 10 minutes or so, but really works!

    1. Author Joanne A on March 24, 2020 at 3:41 pm

      I have heard this! Will have to give it a try.

    Reply
  28. Author Peter Turner on December 20, 2020 at 8:37 pm

    Re uses for an hair dryer. I have heard of someone using an hair dryer to heat their chimney to make the smoke rise as it improves the draw for wood burners & open fires.

    1. Author Joanne A on February 10, 2023 at 5:45 pm

      Using a hair dryer to heat a chimney is not recommended and could be dangerous as it can result in a fire hazard. It's best to consult a professional to ensure the proper cleaning and maintenance.

    Reply
  29. Author David Griffiths on November 10, 2021 at 4:01 pm

    Great for itchy mosquito bites, blow the hot air over the bite (as hot as you can stand) for a few seconds

    1. Author Joanne A on January 11, 2023 at 3:07 pm

      Using a hair dryer to soothe a mosquito bite is not a recommended treatment. The heat from a hair dryer may provide temporary relief, but it can also aggravate the bite, causing further itching and discomfort. It is best to use over-the-counter creams or ointments, or to apply a cold compress to the bite to help alleviate the itching and swelling. Applying a product with an antihistamine can also help.

    Reply
  30. Author mkaykremp on January 20, 2022 at 8:57 am

    What's a lilo?

    1. Author Joanne A on July 28, 2022 at 10:27 am

      It's a type of pool inflatable!

    Reply
  31. Author Lucy Ambrose on April 26, 2022 at 11:06 am

    I'm surprised in these times of trying to save energy that you are promoting the use of a hairdryer. Even though I own one (a freebie from Boots many years ago) I never use it, I let my hair dry naturally which is better for the hair in any case. But really, to warm up a scoop for ice cream? Or to warm up socks? Plants can be cleaned with a paintbrush, likewise a keyboard.

    1. Author Joanne A on September 27, 2022 at 2:35 pm

      Times have certainly changed, but some readers may still find these tips helpful. Using a paintbrush is a great idea!

    Reply
  32. Author susan bowden on April 26, 2022 at 1:08 pm

    It might be an idea to put a warning about NEVER using a hairdryer in the bathroom in the UK. Here we shouldn't have plug sockets (except for shavers) or light switches inside bathrooms. Our electricity is more powerful than in the US and electrocution here can kill you!

    1. Author Joanne A on November 3, 2022 at 5:29 pm

      That's very true!

    Reply
  33. Author Josephine Smiley-Fart Ass on February 28, 2024 at 1:29 pm

    I use my hairdryer to dry my hair !!!!

    1. Author Joanne A on March 15, 2024 at 11:47 am

      Keeping it real!

    Reply

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