Last Updated on: September 29, 2022
When did you last lubricate your hair clipper? If your answer is never or months ago, lubricate them now.
I’ll tell you why…
Your hair clippers need regular maintenance, whether as a DIY person, a professional hair stylist, or for pet grooming products. Failure to do so regularly makes the blades dull, and the trim is so uneven it’s worse than using sheep shears.
Some claim they don’t know how to oil clippers because they don’t have an oiling agent, and the clipper package came without clipper oil. If you’re one of them, the market has many lubricant alternatives.
Blades Upkeep: A Simple Step-By-Step Guide
Learn how to oil hair clippers in a few minutes and spend a few more doing it. The few minutes you spend will save you the trouble of pulling your beard or head hair too much when working with dull clipper blades and the cost of replacing your trimmer due to rusty blades.
What you need to lubricate clippers:
- A blade cleaner
- Hair clipper oil
- A towel
- Power source
- Clipper brush
Step 1
Brush the trimmer with a blade spray to remove any gunk, hair products, or hair. Clean the interior and exterior of the hair clipper without forgetting to brush the taper lever.
You unscrew some clippers, such as Wahl clippers, before cleaning them so you can reach the teeth. If you have such clippers, check the next section for details.
Step 2
Dry all the parts with a clipper brush. You can wipe the excess cleaner with a towel if excessively wet.
Step 3
Pour a few drops of oil on the top and bottom of the blades. Remember the corners of the hair clipper blade, and only use about two to four drops of oil as too much can damage the motor.
Remember to move the taper lever about to distribute the oiling fluid. But even if your trimmer lacks a taper lever, move the trimmer about until the lubricate spreads.
Step 4
Turn the trimmer on to spread the lubricant evenly on the blades and reach all the attachments and moving parts.
Leave it on for about 20 seconds, then wipe off any extra oil on the trimmer, or it’ll stick to your hair.
How To Clean A Wahl Clipper
As mentioned earlier, you have to open a few screws to reach the blades of some clipper brands. We did the work, so there’s no need to search for videos explaining how to clean your Wahl. Therefore, if you’re wondering how to oil clippers from this brand:
Step 1
Place them on a working surface and remove the top and bottom plates of the Wahl clipper using a screwdriver.
Step 2
Spray blade cleaner on the cutting parts and the outer part of the clipper.
Step 3
Brush off hair caught on the trimmer blades while moving the taper lever to reach the hair trimmings inside.
Step 4
Place the clipper blade back and screw it into position.
Step 5
Turn the Wahl clipper on and pour some lubricant.
Step 6
Move the taper lever to spread it, and wipe the excess dry. Now, your Wahl clipper is ready for storage.
How Often Should You Lubricate Your Clippers?
There are no rules, but you should clean your clipper depending on how often you use it and how dirty your hair is. On average, you can clean your clipper after every ten haircuts or as often as it accumulates build-up.
You can have a quick cleaning routine after every haircut where you empty the hair inside and lubricate your blades for the next haircut.
As pet grooming products, dull clipper blades may injure your pet, so you may also lubricate them after every use. Other benefits of oiling a hair clipper are rust prevention by lengthening its life, especially for designs with metal parts prone to corrosion.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do you oil clippers before or after use?
Yes, you do. Lubricate your clipper after every haircut to prepare for the next time you need it. Doing it after use lets the clipper oil dry up before your next haircut. Remember also to disinfect blades with a cloth containing alcohol or methylated spirit, especially when sharing your clipper with somebody else, and let it air-dry before storage.
What happens when you don’t lubricate your clippers?
One of the problems is friction inside the tool, which may produce a lot of heat and damage your clipper. Your trimmer will also pull and snag as you cut hair, making the trimming process painful. In addition to poor blade performance, your clipper may rust.
What can you use as clipper oil?
A lightweight carrier oil doesn’t clog your blades like heavy oiling fluids. Avoid lubricant alternatives like canola oil. It has some good qualities because it withstands high temperatures. However, it has a high viscosity, making it unstable.
Whatever you choose should withstand high temperatures without overheating. Such oils include mineral and baby oils as they have low viscosity. Mineral oil is chemically stable and affordable. Baby oil is another good alternative because it’s gentle on the scalp without leaving flakes, even when some oil is still on the clipper blades.
Conclusion
Some claim that clipper performance is all about the type and quality of the equipment you choose. However, a well-maintained hair clipper will perform better without friction, serve you longer, and save you money.
Fortunately, it takes a few minutes to maintain a hair clipper. The process starts by removing hair caught in the teeth and then cleaning the teeth to prepare the surface for the oil. Regular trimmer maintenance gives you sharp teeth for a smooth trimming session and no build-up in the clipper that may affect motor speed.