How to Clean and Oil
Your Hair Clippers

The Routine (After Every Use)

1. 1

   Unplug or remove the battery

   Never clean a live clipper.

2. 2

   Brush out the debris

   Use the small brush that came with them and sweep hair out from between and behind the blades.

3. 3

   Remove the blade if you can

   Most clippers let you unscrew or snap off the blade for a proper clean. Brush both faces.

4. 4

   Apply clipper oil

   3–4 drops along the cutting teeth and one on each side rail, with the clipper running.

5. 5

   Run for 10–20 seconds

   Lets the oil spread evenly between the blades.

6. 6

   Wipe off the excess

   Excess oil attracts hair and turns to gunk. A quick wipe with a cloth is enough.

Use the Right Oil

• Use proper clipper oil: it's a light mineral oil designed not to gum up.
• Don't use cooking oil, WD-40, or motor oil, since they either gum the blades or strip them and cause rust.
• Oil every use if you cut regularly; at minimum every few cuts.
• Blade wash / cleaning spray is handy for a deeper clean but still needs oil afterwards.

Signs You've Left It Too Long

• Pulling or snagging instead of cutting cleanly, the classic symptom.
• Running hot against your skin.
• Getting louder or sounding strained.
• Leaving patchy lines in a fade (see patchy fade causes).
• Visible rust or dark gunk: clean immediately, since rust may mean replacing the blade.

Deep Clean Every Few Weeks

The quick routine keeps the blades running, but a deeper clean every few weeks removes the build-up that brushing misses.

• Remove the blade and brush out the housing behind it, where hair collects and packs into the space.
• Soak or spray the blade in a blade wash, keeping liquid away from the motor, and brush both plates.
• Dry fully with a clean cloth and let it air dry before refitting, so no moisture sits between the metal plates.
• Clean the guards with warm soapy water, rinse, and dry. They collect hair, oil, and skin residue.
• Oil and run the clipper after reassembly to spread oil evenly across the refitted blade.

Blade Alignment and Tension

If the clippers still pull after cleaning and oiling, the blade may be out of alignment. The moving cutting blade should sit slightly back from the edge of the stationary blade so it does not touch skin. When you refit a blade, check this before switching on. Some clippers also have a tension or power screw; if they run noisily after cleaning, a small adjustment following the manufacturer instructions often helps. If the teeth are chipped or bent, replace the blade rather than trying to repair it.

Storage and Hygiene

• Store clippers dry, in a case or on a shelf rather than in a damp bathroom cabinet where rust forms.
• Keep the blade guard on when not in use to protect the teeth.
• Disinfect the blade with a clipper disinfectant spray if you share them or cut other people.
• Check the cable for damage on corded models, and do not wrap it tightly around the body.
• Charge batteries correctly, following the manual, since leaving some batteries on the charger constantly can shorten their life.

Frequently Asked Questions