Crossword Genius

Nose-blowers hand off head scarfs (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

kerchiefs

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'scarfs' is the definition.
(kerchief is a kind of scarf)

'nose-blowers hand off head' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'hand' could be 'r' (abbreviation for right, as in the right-hand side) and 'r' is found in the answer.
'head' could be 'chief' (synonyms) and 'chief' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'kes' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for kerchiefs that I've seen is " Gumbys' headgear?".)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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