How to Choose a Kurukuru Dryer 2026 | By Attachments and Brush Diameter
Prices, point rates and sale details in this article were checked by the mottoku editorial team against each service's official site and API (as of the last update). Always check the official sites for current prices, stock and campaign terms.
A kurukuru dryer is not a tool for drying hair but a tool for curling and shaping as you go
If you buy a kurukuru dryer (くるくるドライヤー, also called a brush dryer or volume-up dryer) thinking it is just a hair dryer with weak airflow, you will almost certainly regret it. It is not an appliance for drying. It is a styling-oriented tool that shapes your hair while the brush winds it up. An ordinary hair dryer exists to dry wet hair quickly, whereas the kurukuru dryer exists for taming stubborn bangs, curling the ends inward, adding volume at the roots, and giving a blow-dry shine. Both are tubes that blow air, but the design thinking is completely different.
Once you have this difference in roles clear, the priorities for choosing become much simpler. Rather than wearing yourself out comparing airflow and drying speed, ask “does it come with a brush that can make the style I want at my hair length?” Settle that, and even a low-priced model will satisfy you; get it wrong, and even a high-end model is wasted. This article first breaks down what each attachment (brush) is good at, and then goes through the topics that are specific to kurukuru dryers: realistic choices by hair length, how to use hot and cool air, who rotating (auto-curl) models suit, and the pitfalls of using one abroad.
Quick guide if you cannot decide: want to fix bangs and ends quickly → a compact model with 2–3 attachments / want a proper blow-dry with fluffy roots → strong airflow, hot/cool switching and negative ions / want to build serious curls → a multi-function model with several brush diameters or a rotating brush. After that, always check two things: does the brush diameter suit your hair length, and is it light enough that your arm will not tire from holding it up? Do that and you will not go far wrong.
The attachment (brush) decides everything you can do
What a kurukuru dryer can do depends more on the brushes it comes with than on the body itself. Catalog phrases such as “salon finish” and “moisture care” are just each maker’s wording; what actually works in your hand is the shape and diameter of the brush. Let us look at five typical ones, both what they are good at and what they are not.
| Attachment | Good at | Weak points / cautions |
|---|---|---|
| Roll brush (thick) | Big curls at the ends, volume at the roots. For medium to long hair | Too thick to wind bangs or short hair |
| Roll brush (thin) | Fixing bangs, curling the ends of short hair and bobs | Takes time to make thick curls in long hair |
| Straight / blow brush | Smooths waves and adds shine; tames frizzy hair | Cannot make curls or volume |
| Curling-iron style | Makes well-defined curls | Hard to bring close to the scalp, so root volume is difficult |
| Nozzle / concentrator | Can also be used for ordinary drying. Drying plus finishing in one unit | Airflow is often weaker than a dedicated dryer |
Thick roll brush: lift from the roots for “fluffiness”
This thick roll brush is where a kurukuru dryer really shows its character. It gives volume even to long or thick hair; you can curl the ends inward in a big curve, or push the brush in at the roots and lift while applying warm air, and a top that tends to go flat becomes fluffy. For people with medium to long hair, or those who have started to worry about volume on top as they get older, this one brush widens what is possible considerably.
Thin roll brush: insurance for bangs and short hair
Conversely, when you want to fix bangs or tuck the ends of short hair or a bob inward, the thin roll brush comes into its own. Try to wind bangs with a thick brush and there is not enough hair, so it spins uselessly; with a thin one, even a small section is wound securely. Quickly fixing bangs that have split from bedhead in the morning and lifting them from the roots is reason enough to own a compact model with a thin brush.
Straight / blow brush: for taming frizz and waves
If you want to smooth and tidy your hair rather than curl it, use the straight / blow attachment with its flat brush face. Drying while guiding the hair with the brush calms waves and flyaways and adds shine. For very strong curls a dedicated flat iron can be better, but as an easy way to keep hair neat every morning it is quite practical.
In the end, it is mostly decided by your hair length
The hardest part of choosing a kurukuru dryer is deciding which features to take, but once you clear one point—does it come with a brush diameter that fits your hair length?—the rest comes down to preference. Here are realistic choices by length.
Bangs, short hair and bobs: a compact model with a thin brush is easiest to handle
To fix bangs or curl the ends of short hair or a bob inward, a compact model that comes with a thin roll brush is best. A model with only a thick brush cannot curl bangs and goes to waste. A small body also tires your arm less, and fits in a washstand drawer or a travel pouch. Short hair has little to wind, so mistakes are easy to notice; a model with hot/cool switching, so you can shape with warm air and set with cool air, gives a more stable result.
Medium to long: several diameters and an emphasis on volume
If your hair is longer than your shoulders, you want volume, or you want soft curls, a thicker roll brush is useful, and ideally a model that includes both thick and thin brushes. You can lift the top with the thick one and use the thin one around the face and at the ends. People with a lot of hair take longer to curl, so choosing a model with solid airflow shortens each section and ends up tiring your arm less. With negative ions, the difference in manageability and shine tends to show more the longer your hair is.
Want one unit for both drying and styling
If you want to combine your everyday dryer and your finishing tool in one, look for a multi-function type that also has a nozzle (concentrator) attachment. The caution is that such all-in-one models often cannot match the airflow of a dedicated dryer. If you have a lot of hair and drying takes a long time, it is better to accept the split and use two units—a high-airflow dryer for drying, and the kurukuru dryer only for the final styling—which is faster and gives a better finish overall.
A caution that comes with a tool that winds in hair: because of their structure, brush dryers wind hair in, and pulling hard can damage the hair or tangle it. Very wet hair tangles easily, so wait until it is somewhat dry and use small sections at a time; if it tangles, do not yank it—stop the rotation (airflow) and then remove it. Holding high heat on one spot or getting too close to the scalp can damage hair and cause low-temperature burns on the scalp. The brush and nozzle get hot during and just after use, so beware of burns and let it cool before storing. Do not touch it with wet hands or use it in a bathroom or other wet area (to prevent electric shock), and clear hair and dust from the intake often. If you are worried about scalp or hair problems, do not force yourself to use it; consult a specialist such as a dermatologist. Always follow the instruction manual.
What separates the results is “shape with warm air, set with cool air”
Even with the same model, some people find their curls fall out right away while others keep their shape until evening. Most of that difference comes from how you use hot and cool air. It is a tip that works especially well with kurukuru dryers, and knowing it or not changes the result.
Hair has a property: it softens when warmed and takes shape, then remembers that shape as it cools and firms up. So the right procedure is to place a section on the brush, curl it with warm air, and switch to cool air to set it before taking the brush away. If you curl with warm air and pull the brush out right away, the hair is still warm and soft, and the shape you worked for unravels quickly. Remember to use the cool-air button as the “finishing step of each curl,” and how long the curl lasts changes visibly.
Once you understand this principle, it makes sense that having hot/cool switching (a cool-air function) is quietly important when choosing a model. And “shape with warm air, stop with cool air” is also gentler on hair than keeping high heat on it. A model with a low-temperature or care mode makes it easier to avoid over-drying and dryness even with daily use.
Basic motions for the clumsy: ① place a small section on the brush → ② turn it gently inward and apply warm air for 5–10 seconds → ③ set it with cool air just before releasing → ④ slowly pull the brush out. At first, practice on small areas such as the bangs and ends. A rotating (auto-curl) type turns the brush at the press of a button and winds the section automatically, which helps people who find the hand-turning motion difficult.
Rotating (auto-curl) is convenient, but it is not for everyone
Increasingly common in recent models is the rotating (auto-curl) type, where the brush section turns automatically at the press of a button and winds up the section. Since you do not need to twist your hand round and round, it is a big help for people who are clumsy or who find it hard to curl on the side of their non-dominant hand. That said, “rotating means everything goes well” is not true, so let us go over who it suits and who it does not.
| Rotating (auto-curl) | Manual (fixed brush) | |
|---|---|---|
| Suits | People who find hand-turning difficult or whose left and right sides come out differently | People who want to adjust finely at their own pace |
| Strengths | Helps with winding; less difference between left and right | Simple structure, lighter, lower price |
| Watch out for | Winding in too much and tangling. Tends to be a bit heavier and costlier | Until you get used to it, results can differ between left and right |
Rotating models are convenient, but because they wind with real force they are also prone to pulling in too much hair and tangling, so the rule is small sections and hair that is already getting dry. Before buying, check whether you can stop the rotation if it tangles and either reverse it or release it manually. The extra mechanism also makes the body a little heavier and the price higher. It is worth the investment if you want neat curls every day and truly cannot manage hand-turning, but if all you need is to fix your bangs, a simple manual model with a thin brush often feels lighter and easier to handle.
For daily use the pitfall is weight; for travel it is voltage
What is easy to miss even though it is on the spec sheet is the weight and handling, and support for overseas voltage. Both are typical things you notice only after you start using it, so keep them in mind before buying.
Because you hold your arm up, weight matters
When curling the back and top of your head, you hold your arm up for several minutes at a time with a kurukuru dryer. It strains the arm more than an ordinary dryer, and a model that is heavy or has its weight toward the tip will wear you out little by little with daily use. Beyond the weight on the spec sheet, the balance, how easy the grip is to hold, and the cord length all directly affect practical use. If you can, hold one in a store with your arm raised; that will reduce mistakes. Cordless (rechargeable) types are freer to handle, but their continuous run time and power may be limited, so weigh that against how long you curl.
For use abroad, always check for “dual voltage”
The most common mistake among people who take one on a trip is using a model that does not support the local voltage, as it is, overseas. Japan is 100V, but many places abroad are 110–240V, and plugging a domestic-only model in without a transformer risks breakage or fire. If you want to use it abroad, always check that it supports overseas voltage (dual voltage, marked AC100–240V). Even then, if the outlet shape differs you need a separate plug adapter, so check the specifications of your destination before departure. Folding and compact types are very portable, and for a travel unit the combination of “overseas voltage plus folding” is the standard.
Hair caught in the brush and dust in the intake decide lifespan and finish
A kurukuru dryer is a tool used while touching dry hair directly. So it is more realistic to treat it as an appliance on which shed hair, styling products and sebum build up at the base of the brush every day. Leave this alone and the ends snag more, and the same motions stop giving a good curl. In most cases where you feel it “isn’t broken but the finish got worse,” the cause is in the brush, not the body.
Once a week, pull hair out from the base of the brush
Hair wraps around the base of the bristles on a roll brush and forms a loop. Pulling with your fingers can pull out the bristles along with their base, so slide the tip of a fine-toothed comb or a clip between the rows of bristles and push the hair out from root toward tip to avoid damage. If styling product has hardened and become sticky, take the attachment off the body, pinch the bristles in a cloth dampened with lukewarm water and wipe, then dry completely before attaching it. If you attach it while wet, moisture stays in the metal and resin of the connection.
Dust in the intake shows up as “loss of airflow”
The intake on the body (near the grip or the mesh at the rear) keeps pulling in dust, hair and powdery styling product because of the washroom environment. When it clogs, airflow drops, drying slows, and since you hold it on one spot longer, heat damage actually increases. Just running a dry toothbrush or a vacuum nozzle over the mesh once a month makes a noticeable difference. If you keep using high heat with this clogged, the internal temperature rises and the safety device may trip, which can cause the warm air to stop suddenly.
What wears out is the attachments, more than the body
What deteriorates first with continued use is the stiffness of the roll brush bristles, the spring return of the movable brush (the type whose bristles retract), and the base of the cord. The base of the cord in particular, if you wind it twisting the same way each time, gradually breaks inside, and you get a symptom where warm air comes and goes depending on the angle. Do not wrap the cord around the body; just loop it loosely in a figure eight, and the lifespan changes.
Whether attachments can be bought separately varies a lot by maker and series. If you plan to use it for a long time, check before buying whether it is a series where brushes are available as repair parts; then when the bristles wear out you will not have to replace the whole unit.
Where you keep it is part of the running cost too
If you cram it into a drawer with the brush attached, the bristles get crushed in one direction and set that way, and the tips stop gripping hair. Ideally hang it from the hook hole, or remove the attachment and stand it up. When taking it on a trip, wrap the brush section in a cloth bag or shower cap to keep the bristles from bending in your bag. The care itself takes a few minutes, but with this appliance the longer you skip it, the easier it is to mistake it for “I bought a weak-airflow model”.
Which should you buy: a hair iron, an ordinary dryer, or a multi-function set
People considering a kurukuru dryer are usually torn between other options. Each has clearly different strengths, so it is quicker to sort them by your conditions.
| Compared option | Good at | Choose it if |
| Kurukuru dryer | Shaping half-dry hair while drying it with air. Lifting roots, one inward curl, bangs | You want to finish your morning routine with one tool. You want the same shape every day |
| Hair iron (curling iron) | Setting dry hair with the heat and pressure of the plates. Firm vertical curls, stronger waves | Curl longevity is your top priority. You want elaborate curls |
| Ordinary dryer | Drying wet hair in the shortest time | Your hair is long or thick. Drying speed comes first |
| Rotating / multi-function set | A wide range of finishes by swapping attachments | You use several hairstyles. The family shares it |
If you are torn over a hair iron, decide by how wet your hair is
The biggest difference is the state of hair each can handle. A hair iron can only be used on completely dry hair. Clamp hair with moisture left in it between hot plates and the water inside expands at once and damages the hair. A kurukuru dryer, on the other hand, is designed to be used from about 80% dry, and handles drying and shaping in one continuous process. If the two-step “dry with a dryer, then curl with an iron” feels like a chore, a kurukuru dryer fits daily life better. Conversely, if you want strong curls that must hold until evening, a shape made with air tends to fall out in humidity, so the iron wins.
It is not a replacement for an ordinary dryer
A kurukuru dryer has a narrow air outlet blocked by the brush, so its airflow does not match a standard dryer. A person with long hair who tries to dry from scratch with this alone takes a long time and concentrates heat on one spot. The realistic approach is two units, “a fast-drying dryer plus the kurukuru for finishing,” and only people with short to bob-length hair that is not thick can narrow it down to one.
The gap between top grade and entry level shows in airflow, temperature steps and brush quality
Higher-priced models tend to have stronger motors, finer temperature steps, and cool air that is properly cool. They also have better bristle quality and hair that tangles less—an unobtrusive but effective difference. Entry-level models can still make inward curls well enough, but a model with only two temperature levels, high and low, can be too hot for fine or damaged hair. If your hair is fine or you color it repeatedly, the number of temperature steps and the quality of the cool air are worth paying for.
Rotating and multi-function sets: decide by how many people use it
A set with five or six attachments looks attractive, but in practice you usually use two. If you are the only user, a model with one well-made roll brush tends to be more satisfying; the multi-function set makes sense when family members have different hair lengths.
Rentals and subscriptions for beauty appliances center on high-end dryers, and in reality few kurukuru dryers are included. If you want to try one, first checking with an entry-level unit whether you can keep up the brush handling is surer, even if it looks like a detour.
The order for checking a product page, and what happens if you miss something
On a kurukuru dryer’s product page, the photos and feature names catch your eye first, and the crucial numbers are often written small further down. Checking in the following order makes it less likely you will end up thinking “this isn’t what I expected” after buying.
- Check the diameter of the included brush in millimeters“Includes roll brush” alone does not tell you enough. Even under the same product name, usability differs depending on whether it comes with a large and a small brush or just one. If this is off, you get failures such as a bob wearer buying a brush too thick to catch the ends, or a long-haired person spending ages with a thin brush.
- Check the steps of temperature and airflow, and whether cool air is independentEven when it says “hot/cool switching,” some models only lower the temperature within warm air, while others clearly blow cool air. If the cool air is weak, the curl you made does not set and drops the moment you take your arm away.
- Look for photos that show the weight and the position of the center of gravityEven with the same figures, arm fatigue differs greatly depending on whether the motor is on the grip side or the tip side. Miss this and reaching the back of your head becomes painful, and you end up using it only for bangs.
- Check the cord length, and whether it is a swivel cordIf the outlet in your washroom is low, a model with a short cord gets pulled as soon as you raise your arm. A cord that does not swivel twists with use and hastens breakage at the base.
- Check how the attachments are fitted and removedPush-in models swap quickly but can come loose during use. Locking types are secure but hard to remove with one hand. If you swap two or more attachments every morning, this matters more than the finish.
- Check whether it supports overseas voltage, and whether switching is manualThis is a must if you plan to take it on trips. Using a 100V-only model abroad leads to breakage or overheating. With a switchable type, forgetting to switch back after returning home weakens the airflow, so also look at where the switch is.
- Check whether the bristles are the retracting typeWhen pulling the brush out after curling, fixed bristles mean you pull on hair that is still tangled. A movable type, or a design with wider bristle spacing, is easier to pull out. The finer your hair, the more difference this makes.
- Check the care instructions, and whether the brush can be bought on its ownCheck whether the brush can be removed and washed, and whether it is available as a repair part. In a series that does not offer this, you have to replace the whole unit once the bristles wear out.
If you can handle one in person, test just these two things
If you can check in a store, first hold the brush without turning it on and swing your arm around to the back of your head. The feeling of not reaching, or of your wrist not turning, can never be read from a spec sheet. The other is to press the bristles lightly against the back of your hand and see whether they prick too much. A model with bristles that are too stiff hurts when it touches the scalp, and you cannot put force into lifting at the roots.
When reading reviews, give priority to ones that state the reviewer’s hair length and amount. Quite often a complaint like “it won’t curl at all” simply means the brush diameter did not match the hair length.
When to buy, and realistic ways to buy by shopping site
Kurukuru dryers span a wide price range, from easy models at a few thousand yen up to rotating, multi-function ones at around twenty thousand yen. That is why, rather than “waiting blindly for the lowest price,” securing a model with the brush set you want at a reasonably low-priced time leads to more satisfaction. Beauty appliances tend to move around gift seasons such as Mother’s Day and White Day, the new-life season, the Rakuten Shopping Marathon, Amazon Prime Day and the Time Sale Festival, so aiming for these lets you buy cheaply without strain (specific prices and discount amounts change with the period, so please check the current display on each sales page).
Rakuten: fit it in as one shop of your Marathon spree
Kurukuru dryers priced from a few thousand to around ten-some thousand yen are easy to include in a Shopping Marathon spree. Order them separately from other things you plan to buy anyway, such as cosmetics and hair-care items, to build up the shop count, and the effective cost of the unit is easier to bring down. Point rates and entry conditions change with the period, so check Rakuten’s official page for the latest.
Amazon: time it with Prime Day and the Time Sale Festival
Beauty appliances are a category that easily becomes part of Prime Day and the Time Sale Festival. The realistic way to wait is to decide on the model you are aiming for and grab it when it is marked down in a sale. When reading reviews, focus on comments about brush diameter and ease of curling; they help you judge whether it will work at your hair length.
Electronics retailers: check “weight and grip” on the real unit
Because it is an appliance used with your arm raised, the feel of the grip and the balance are easier to get right if you can touch the actual product. Note the model number you are interested in, compare it with the online sale price, and buy from whichever is cheaper including points—that is the smart way to use both.
Point rates, annual fees and sale dates change with the period. The price ranges in this article are a rough guide only; please check the official information of each shopping site and card company for the final point conditions and campaign details.
Common mistakes you notice only after buying
More than the number of stars in reviews, the pitfalls listed here decide satisfaction. Regrets about kurukuru dryers almost always come from a misunderstanding of the role and a mismatch between brush diameter and how it is used.
- Expected it to dry, but it lacked power → It is built for styling, and its drying speed can be slower than a dedicated unit. If your main purpose is drying, use a dedicated dryer. Treat it as a finishing tool and satisfaction goes up.
- The brush diameter did not suit the hair length → A thick brush cannot curl bangs, and a thin one takes time on long hair. Check first for the diameter that fits your length. A model that includes different diameters lets you switch between them.
- Used it on wet hair and it tangled or got damaged → Very wet hair is the cause of tangles. Use small sections once the hair is somewhat dry, and if it tangles do not yank it; stop the rotation and remove it. Pulling is a cause of damage.
- The curl falls out right away → Finishing with warm air alone does not hold the shape. Build the habit of setting with cool air before taking the brush away and the staying power changes.
- Too much high heat damaged the hair or made the scalp hot → Avoid long exposure on one spot and bringing it too close to the scalp. Shaping with warm air and setting with cool air is gentler on hair and lasts longer. Also watch out for low-temperature burns.
- It was heavy, my arm got tired, and I stopped using it → You hold your arm up while using it, so weight matters. Check lightness, balance and cord length. The more you use it daily, the more good handling helps you keep at it.
- Could not use it abroad, or broke it → Using a model that does not support the voltage abroad is dangerous. Always check before you travel whether it is dual voltage and whether you need a plug adapter.
Frequently asked questions
How is it different from an ordinary dryer? Do I need to replace mine?
An ordinary dryer is mainly for drying; a kurukuru dryer is mainly for styling—curling and shaping with the brush. It makes it easy to curl bangs and ends, add volume at the roots, and add shine while blow-drying, but its drying speed can be slower than a dedicated dryer. Using two units, your current dryer for drying and the kurukuru dryer for finishing, is realistic, and most people do not end up replacing their dryer altogether.
How do I choose the brush thickness (diameter)?
Decide by hair length. A thinner roll brush suits bangs, short hair and bobs; a thicker one suits medium to long hair, or when you want bigger curls and volume. Try to curl bangs with a thick brush and there is not enough hair, so it spins uselessly; curl long hair with a thin brush and it takes time. A model with both thick and thin brushes is convenient, since you can use the thick one on top and the thin one around the face.
My curls fall out right away. Any tips?
The tip is to switch to cool air and set the curl before taking the brush away after curling with warm air. Hair takes shape when warmed and soft, and remembers it as it cools and firms up, so pulling the brush out while it is still warm makes it unravel quickly. Curl with warm air for 5–10 seconds, set with cool air, and then pull the brush out slowly, and how long it lasts changes visibly. A model with hot/cool switching (cool air) makes this step easier.
Can I use it well if I am clumsy? Do I need a rotating (auto-curl) model?
It is easier to get used to if you start by practicing on small areas such as bangs and ends, with small sections. If you really cannot manage turning by hand, a rotating (auto-curl) model that winds up the section automatically at the press of a button can help. But rotating models can also pull in too much and tangle, so use small sections. If being able to fix your bangs is enough, a simple manual model with a thin brush often feels lighter and easier to handle.
How can I use it without damaging my hair?
Very wet hair tangles easily, so wait until it is somewhat dry and use small sections. Do not pull; if it tangles, stop the rotation and remove it. Not holding high heat on the same spot and not getting too close to the scalp helps prevent damage and low-temperature burns. Shaping with warm air and setting with cool air not only makes the shape last longer but also reduces the load on your hair. A model with a low-temperature or care mode makes it easier to avoid dryness even with daily use.
Can I use it on frizzy or wavy hair?
With the straight / blow attachment, guiding the hair with the brush as you dry calms waves and gives manageability and shine. Stretching with warm air and setting with cool air tends to make the shine and manageability last longer. For very strong curls a dedicated flat iron can be better, but as an easy way to tidy hair every morning, a kurukuru dryer is handy. If your hair tends to puff out, choosing one with negative ions makes the difference in manageability easier to notice.
Do negative ions really work?
It is a function that helps calm hair and bring out manageability and shine, and many models have it. It will not dramatically change your hair type, but with a kurukuru dryer that dries and styles at once, the difference in manageability of the finish tends to show, and people with long hair or those bothered by dryness and puffiness are more likely to feel the benefit. It is not the top condition for choosing, but if you cannot decide, there is no loss in picking the one that has it.
Can I use it when traveling or abroad?
Compact and folding types are handy for travel. When using one abroad, always check that it supports overseas voltage (dual voltage, marked AC100–240V). Using a domestic-only model abroad without a transformer risks breakage or fire. Even for models that support overseas voltage, if the outlet shape differs you need a separate plug adapter, so check the specifications of your destination before departure. For travel, the combination of “overseas voltage plus folding” is the standard.
Any tips for care and making it last?
When hair and dust build up in the intake, airflow drops and it can cause overheating or breakdown, so remove them often. Remove hair caught in the brush after each use, and store the nozzle and brush after the heat has cooled. Not bending the cord sharply at the base and not using it while bundled helps prevent breaks. Rotating models easily wind hair into the mechanism, so clean them especially carefully. If you handle it cleanly, it will serve your daily styling for a long time.
Can I use a kurukuru dryer on soaking wet hair as it is?
It is better to avoid using it from a soaking-wet state. Because the air outlet is narrowed by the brush, drying takes time and heat keeps hitting the same spot. After towel-drying, dry to about 80% with an ordinary dryer, then start using it when a little dampness remains; the shape sets more easily and the burden on your hair is lighter.
Warm air suddenly stops while I am using it. Is it broken?
The safety device may have activated because of a temperature rise from a clogged intake. Many models are designed so that when dust or hair collects in the mesh and heat builds up inside, heating stops temporarily. First turn the power off and let it cool, then try cleaning the intake with a toothbrush or similar. If it does not improve after cleaning, a break at the base of the cord is also possible.
* This article is for reference only. Sale dates, point rates and campaign terms can change, so check each store's official page for the latest details.