Hair Clipper Care and Maintenance

A good quality pair of hair clippers will not only save you a lot of money and time, due to frequent trips to the barber, they will also last you many years if you look after them properly.

If your clippers are in frequent use, you really need to ensure they are in good working order. Some basic care and maintenance every now and again will keep your clippers performing to their best.

Step 1 – Keep The Blades Clean

Before you begin to cut your own or anyone elses hair, ensure the blade area is clean and any hair and debris is removed.

Most clipper sets come with their own small clipper brush and cleaning kit. However, I find these brushes to be just too small and prefer to used an old, hard toothbrush to really get in amongst the nooks and crannies. You can also buy a cheap fingernail brush or hair tint brush, as long as they are quite sturdy.

Brush away all the hair clippings and debris from the blade area. These small deposits can act like grit or sand if they get between the blades and blade teeth. If unchecked they could eventually cause the blades damage and blunt them. Brush everything away. Blowing sharply into the area will also help.

Step 2 – Ensure The Blade is Aligned Correctly

This step is particularly important if you intend to cut other people’s hair or are using your clippers in a barbers or hair solon.

Every time you come to use the clipper, hold it sideways and look down its length. The blades should be either parallel with the cutter blade or set slightly back. There shouldn’t be any  teeth protruding and the blade should be perfectly straight. A crooked blade or a stray tooth could esily nic or cut you, or a client.

You might need to use a small screw driver to losen the blade screws. There’s no need to take them out, just losen them so there’s enough ‘give’ to wiggle the blade back into place. Be careful when tightening the screws again.

Alternate between each one to ensure the blade doesn’t twist and become crooked.

When all the screws are tightened, visually check again to ensure the blade is even and correctly aligned.

Step 3 – Oil Every Cut, Every Time

This step is paramount to the care and maintenance of your clipper blade. A well oiled clipper is a happy clipper, and a happer clipper will last you many years. The main cause for a good quality clipper to break, is due to lack of oil being used.

Your clipper should be provided with the required oil, but you will need to buy more when you near the end of it.

The rule is simple; every time you use the clipper, you should apply some oil to it. Make this as habitual as turning it on. If you do this, you won’t forget.

It’s like cleaning your teeth without any toothpaste – you just wouldn’t do it!

Apply a drop of oil to each corner of the moving blade and a few drops in the middle, into the blade teeth. Turn the clipper on and let it run for a few seconds to get an even spread. Dab any excess oil and you’re good to go.

Be careful not to apply too much oil, as this can attract a lot of dust, dirt and hair clippings. This will turn into a sludge and clog up the blade.

Not enough oil will cause the blade to run dry and start pulling and dragging and become dull. Eventually the blade will be useless for cutting.

Get into the habbit of oiling every time you use the clipper and your clipper will easily last many years.

Step 4 – Clipper Spray

Clipper spray is a legal requirement for barbers and salons in the US. It keeps the blades cool and prevents burning the client and more imprtantly it disinfects the blade. It also reduces wear and tear on the blade, prolonging its lifespan.

Clipper spray also acts as a rust preventor, which is important in salons and barber shops that have humid and moist atmospheres. It is also good practice to spray the clippers infront of the client. It shows professionalism and cleanliness.

It is not quite as important if you are using the clipper purely for your own hair cuts, but I would still recommend you use clipper spray, especially if you purchase one of the top end professional hair clippers such as the Oster Classic 76.

Step 5 – Change The Blade

This step happens very little and often only once or twice in the lifetime of the clipper. If you religiously follow the steps above your clipper blade will last you a long time. I’ve only changed mine once in the last 18 months, and that was only because I wanted to, rather than needed to!

But there may be occassions when you need a new blade. You may accidently drop the clipper and damage it or chip one of the teeth.

The best thing to do is buy a spare blade when you buy the clipper. That way you’ll know you have the right one and it is available as soon as you need it. No dramas then if need your hair cutting that day.

If you do use your spare blade, buy another one immediately and drop into your draw, ready for any mishaps or in a couple years time!

Conclusion

It is easy to keep your clipper in good working order if you follow the steps above. Make it part of your hair cutting routine and you’ll have a trouble free clipper for years to come.

If you have any comments or questions regarding clipper care and maintenance, please drop them below.

Peter