We recommend you to read the material “How to choose a hair clipper?”, because if you take into account certain points before purchasing, then maintenance may turn out to be easier. Let us also remind you that the profile section of the catalog with convenient selection according to parameters can help with the search for a suitable device for cutting and/or styling.

What does clipper maintenance involve? What parts need it?

Let's first talk about what is included in the concept of maintenance of a hair clipper or trimmer and what operating elements of the device need it? The key point is, of course, cleaning — removing the cut hair. Such maintenance is necessary:

  • for the entire cutting unit and directly to its blades;
  • for attachments — combs, trimmers and other accessories fixed on blades (or instead of them);
  • for the interior under the operating unit;
  • for the housing.

The cut hairs are collected from different parts of the cutting unit and under it (where the eccentric is located).

Also, basic maintenance often includes oiling (required primarily by blades, but sometimes also by eccentrics). In addition, the blades may need sharpening, but this is no longer home maintenance — the procedure should be performed by professionals.

When the hair clipper is used professionally (in a barbershop), additional maintenance includes cooling the blades (sometimes required when implementing haircuts with fade — a smooth transition of hair length) and mandatory hygienic treatment. In home use, extreme heating of the cutting unit is rare, and disinfection is probably a recommendation.

Next we will tell you about the key aspects of maintenance in more detail.

Multifunctional hair and beard clippers

Cleaning the clipper and trimmer after use

It is recommended to clean the device of hair literally after each cycle of use. Ideally, this approach should become the rule for both home and professional use of a hair clipper or trimmer. Hygiene and overall convenience directly depend on cleaning. If you don’t remove hair from the device, it tends to end up literally everywhere — on the storage shelf, everywhere in the bathroom, and even in other places of the apartment.

Undoubtedly, cleaning significantly influences the overall reliability of the device. Blades that are clogged not only exhibit decreased performance but can hinder self-sharpening. Hair accumulation under the cutting unit poses a risk, as it may travel deeper into the housing, potentially reaching the motor. This can lead to hair interfering with contacts and disabling the device. To prevent such issues, adhere to the practice of cleaning the device after each use.

The most straightforward method to eliminate hair from combs and plastic attachments is by wiping or washing them. These components can be soaked, blown, and dried with a hairdryer if necessary. It is very important to be careful in the cleaning process to avoid damaging the comb's structure. For attachments with metal components, such as an ear or nose trimmer, refer to the user manual for specific care instructions. These can vary from dry wiping to rinsing or even soaking in water.

The cutting unit almost always contains metal elements. Are they protected against corrosion? The manual will help you to find out. If the cutting unit is removable, it should be removed from the housing and cleaned separately. Washing under water is permissible, and the cutting unit can be submerged to remove hair before allowing it to air-dry naturally. If washing is not provided, a dry cleaning brush is the preferred option. If unavailable, alternatives such as a hair coloring brush, a regular toothbrush, or cotton swabs can be used.

Hair clippers with wet cleaning

What to do with the housing itself and the insides under the cutting unit? It all depends on the specific model. For example, there are hair clippers with the ability to wet clean. They can be washed under water. There are also models with waterproof housing. As a rule, they are even more hermetically sealed, so in addition to rinsing, they can be used in the shower or bathtub, and in this case, maintenance becomes even easier. But, for example, almost all mains-operated devices do not allow wet cleaning, so they can only be cleaned after use with the supplied brush, and/or wiped with dry cloths.

Phillips clippers have two options for moisture protection — it can be used in the bathtub or washed under water.

Most manuals from manufacturers clearly state what can and cannot be washed, and sometimes even have special markings on the housing (or packaging, as in the photo above) like the water tap icon or a crossed-out variation of it. If it is not clear from the user manual whether washing is allowed or not, it is better not to take risks and resort only to dry cleaning.

Waterproof hair clippers

In addition to cleaning hair, additional antibacterial treatment of the cutting unit, blades and heads is welcome. It is aimed at eliminating various pathogens. For these purposes, as a rule, sanitizers, alcohol or special disinfection sprays are suitable. For example, they are produced by many specialized brands, such as Moser and Wahl. The compounds are simply used on surfaces that touch human skin during haircutting or styling. Afterwards, allow the product to evaporate or wipe gently with a dry cloth.

A waterproof trimmer or clipper is usually easier to maintain.

How to clean a clipper with a fixed cutting unit?

In many modern trimmers and clippers, the cutting unit is easily removable, which is actually designed to make maintenance procedures easier. However, some professional and semi-professional models have screw-locked blades. It should be noted that it is not necessary to unscrew them after each cycle of use of the device. It is enough to regularly perform surface cleaning of the blades and housing — without removing the cutting unit. But sometimes it is required to use a screwdriver.

More intensive maintenance is required if the blades are heavily clogged and superficial cleaning does not help, as well as for preventive purposes (for a home clipper — once every few months or as recommended in the manual). The procedure will be preceded by a simple disassembly. An ordinary screwdriver will be needed. After unscrewing a couple of screws, it is necessary to remove the blades (there are two of them — one movable and one fixed). In most cases, wet cleaning is not provided for such devices, so the procedure for removing hair and dirt includes the use of a brush.

The fixed cutting unit should first be unscrewed and then cleaned with a brush.

After cleaning is completed, it is necessary to reassemble, aligning the blades correctly. Thus, the edge of the active (moving) blade should be approximately 1 mm lower than the fixed one, and there should be no visually noticeable differences in height. To prevent the blades from shifting, the screws must be tightened slowly and alternately: first a couple of turns for one, then for the other, and so on.

Regular oiling of the hair clipper

Most clippers and trimmers require regular oiling in addition to cleaning. It is aimed at reducing the friction forces between the blades, preventing their overheating and physical wear. True, today in the segment of clippers and trimmers for home use there are models for which their manufacturers claim that oiling is not required. For example, this is true for the Philips Series 3000 MG3720 and related models. For this model, even the manuals do not mention the corresponding procedures.

Most competing devices still require oiling. They usually include special oil. If it is not there or has run out, then it is better to use profile compounds for blades. Many brands have them, including Moser or Wahl. Some manufacturers also allow the use of sewing machine oils.

The main places for applying oil are shown in the picture.

The oil should only be applied to the already cleaned cutting unit. There are five main points where oil should be added. These are the places where the blades come into contact with each other. Thus, three areas on top of the blades — left, center and right, and two areas at the base (left and right). A lot of oil is not required — just a little bit for each point. Note that excess oil can get inside, up to the motor, which is fraught with damage.

How the oiling procedure is carried out:

  • apply the compound to the right parts of the blade;
  • turn on the clipper for a few seconds so that the oil covers all parts of the blade;
  • turn off the device and remove excess using a dry cloth.

How often should oiling be done? For professional barbers and hairdressers, it is recommended to oil the device after each session. They have really high loads on the clipper and by reducing the friction forces it is possible to prolong the working life of the device. For home models, it is acceptable to oil less frequently, provided that the manual does not specify otherwise — every two or three haircuts. Some top-of-the-range models even have an indication of the need for oiling, which means that the clipper will inform you when it is time to do this.

A small tube of oil may be included in the package, but then you will need to buy another oil.

In addition to (and sometimes instead of) oils, it is possible to use universal sprays for cutting units. The most functional compounds perform several tasks at once — they protect the metal from corrosive processes, cool it, disinfect and oil it. By the way, such sprays also help with cleaning — they are sprayed under low pressure, thus having the effect of blowing the blades.

Periodically, the eccentric part beneath the blades of rotary motor clippers requires oiling. This component facilitates the transmission of rotation from the motor to the cutting unit. Due to increased loads, heat, and friction, the plastic grooves of the eccentric can wear out. To prevent this, it's crucial to apply plastic oil, such as silicone or technical petroleum jelly, instead of liquid oil used on blades. Be careful not to exceed the amount of oil — add it in an amount equal to one match head.

Blade sharpening — is it necessary or not?

Self-sharpening blade technology is quite popular in shavers, trimmers and clippers.

Another typical maintenance procedure for clippers and trimmers is sharpening the blades. Today, not all devices need it. Why? Many models are equipped with self-sharpening blades. This is not some kind of marketing ploy, but a design feature backed by the laws of physics. The cutting edges of such blades are usually located at a certain angle to each other. While the motor is running, the active blade moves to the fixed one and backwards. During such movements, sharpening is carried out, and the sharpness is not lost. Although, such blades also do not last forever and require replacement.

Manual sharpening is the only way to restore the original sharpness of the blades for models without the aforementioned feature. It will not be possible to perform it on your own. It is necessary to contact specialized service centers, workshops or private craftsmen with special equipment. Note that it is not easy to find professionals who will do it really well. In addition, you should be prepared that after sharpening the blades can get hotter during operation, which will force you to do more frequent oiling and/or use cooling sprays. Consequently, it is often faster, easier, and even cheaper to replace a worn cutting unit with a new one.

Hair clippers with self-sharpening blade

Other maintenance considerations for clippers and trimmers

The first rule when buying a new device is to familiarize yourself with its manual, understand the required types of maintenance, frequency, products used (for cleaning, oiling, etc.). Other basic recommendations for the maintenance of the clipper include:

  • consistency: the device must be cleaned of hair after each use;
  • if wet cleaning is permissible, do not forget to turn off the device before doing this;
  • as part of dry cleaning, it is worth cleaning blades in the direction from the housing of the device, this will allow you to preserve the bristles of the brush and not dull the teeth of the blades;
  • do not forget that hairs and other contaminants remain on different parts of the housing. They also need to be removed — either with a dry cloth or under running water (if washing is permissible);
  • both after cleaning and after oiling, it is recommended to wipe the cutting unit with a dry cloth;
  • in the case of the mains model, keep an eye on the condition of the cord — avoid twisting;
  • if you are not sure that you are maintaining the model correctly, contact a service center or consult the brand's representatives;
  • the device can get dirty (covered with dust) during non-use, so it is better to think about cases, covers and other storage accessories.

What should NOT be done when maintaining the clipper:

  • if the manual does not mention oiling, then it is not necessary. A correctly performed procedure, of course, should not cause harm, but it probably will not have any benefit either;
  • impact the blades with pins or other metal objects. This is fraught with dulling of the cutting edges, disruption of the position of the teeth (subsequently the active blade may be higher than the fixed one and begin to injure the skin), as well as damage to the cutting unit;
  • use wet wipes and water if your device is not waterproof;
  • use active chemicals and abrasive materials for cleaning;
  • overdo the frequency or portions of oiling;
  • immediately after washing the cutting unit, fix it on the body without moisture protection. If the blade allows wet cleaning, but the device itself does not, then you must first dry the working elements;
  • try to eliminate any errors or malfunctions yourself. In any unclear situation, it is better to contact specialists.
Covers or cases are suitable for protection from dust and ease of storage.

There are no really complicated moments in the maintenance of a clipper or trimmer, unless we talk about sharpening. But no one should perform it at home — it is necessary to look for specialized workshops. Yes, cleaning can be a little tedious, since fine hairs are not always swept out with brushes from various hard-to-reach places. In the case of a waterproof device, a wet sponge or a cloth will work as a "magnet", and over the sink or bathtub you can blow on the insides and the cutting unit to speed up the achievement of reference cleanliness. And always remember that by taking the time to maintain your device, you are increasing its operating life.