In-Depth Guide On How To Clean Clipper Blades
Proper cleaning and maintenance of your clipper blades are important if you want them to last longer, maintain their efficient performance, and give you the value of your money.
Just like every other electronic device, you would need to have a cleaning schedule for your clipper blades.
This schedule will be based on how often you use the blades and how much hair you cut off during each use.
Cleaning clipper blades is an easy process that comes with a lot of pros. It will protect you from infections while ensuring that your clipper’s performance doesn’t dwindle in the coming years.
If you don’t have experience in cleaning your clipper blades then this guide will help you get things right.
How To Clean Clipper Blades
Get the blades out
To clean the blades, you need to get them out of the clipper. You simply have to remove the screws at the base of the blade. Once done, unplug the blades and remove any pieces that hold them in place.
Careful not to drop the clipper, lose the screws, or the blades as you remove them.
Remove hair buildup and dirt
Hair buildup, oil, and other forms of dirt accumulate on the blades after each use. If left unchecked, they would build up to a point that will make it difficult for you to get a clean cut without the blades pulling on your hair.
To get hair and any other dirt on the blades out, you will need some cleaning tools. A toothbrush and a can filled with compressed air should help you get things done fast. You can also use the blade brush, steel wool, or a wire brush.
You should first make use of the brush to clean out the larger particles. Check every nook and cranny of the blade to ensure you get everything out.
Next, you can spray a few short bursts of compressed air. This would get any smaller particles that you missed.
Clean the comb guides
While you give the blades as much care as you can, your comb guides can too accumulate grease, dirt, and other forms of buildup.
You can hand wash the comb attachments in warm water.
- When done, dry them with a towel for a short period of time. Drying them through the night will ensure they are well dried for use.
- Before storing, check the comb guide for any signs of damage. This is possible with continuous use. Damage/ wear or tear to the comb attachment could make for a less efficient operation. If you notice any damage or you find that has comb has broken teeth, then you would have to replace the affected attachment.
Disinfect/ Sterilize the Clippers
Disinfecting your hair clipper will reduce the chances of you getting infections when shaving.
You may notice professional barbers using disinfectants whenever attending to a new client. This is also an important step to follow even if you’re using the clipper only for yourself.
There are several ways to disinfect your blades. You could use blade wash, alcohol, or vinegar. All these options would remove dirt, destroy bacteria, and disinfect the blades thoroughly.
Lubricate the blades
Moving parts in machinery are prone to wear and tear as they rub against surfaces or each other. Lubricating them makes it easier for them to move against these surfaces without wearing out.
Not only that, when exposed to air and moisture, they may start to rust and become dull. The same goes for clipper blades.
To ensure that your clipper blades remain sharp and to prevent them from rusting, you would have to lubricate the blades efficiently.
This will not only help the blades last long but it will also ensure that it won’t pull or tug on your hair with each use.
Most people would think that it is best to lubricate your blades after use, leading hair clipper brands recommended
that you lubricate it before and after.
To lubricate the blades, follow the steps below
- Hold the clipper in such a way that has the blades facing downward.
- Turn on the clipper and then apply one or two drops of oil directly to the blades
- Leave the clipper on for a few seconds so that the oil is evenly spread on all blades.
- Turn off the clipper and wipe off any excess oil.
- Only use a small amount of oil to avoid over lubrication which could damage that main engine unit.
Benefits of Cleaning Hair Clippers
Cleaning your clipper blades is for your own good especially if you want your clipper to last you for a long time.
It will also ensure that your clipper provides excellent performance with every use. Below are some of the benefits of cleaning your clipper blades
- Protection from diseases
With each use, your clipper blades accumulate hair buildup, grease, and dirt. If left unclean, this could become a breeding ground for microorganisms which will be transferred to you the next time you use your hair clipper. This is why disinfecting and sterilizing your hair clipper is very important.
- Keeps Blade Sharp
Dull or blunt blades will not cut evenly and will tug on your hair with every use. To get this solved, you may have to sharpen the blades (if it is possible) or purchase replacement blades.
This can easily be avoided by cleaning your blades regularly. This will prevent it from being clogged with excess hair and other particles. Also, you should oil it as frequently as possible to prevent it from becoming dull.
- Prolong Blades’ Lifespan
The more you maintain your blades, the sharper they would be and the longer they would last. This will help save the cost of replacing the blades after a few months and also ensure that the blades would give a clean cut with every use.
Final Thoughts
This guide on how to clean clipper blades should help you get the best performance out of your hair clipper even with years of use.
Note that you won’t always have to disinfect or sterilize your clipper after each use. However, oiling the blades is important regardless of how often you use the clipper.