Unlock Peak Performance: The Ultimate Guide to Caring for Your Hair Clippers
Your hair clippers are the most essential tool in your arsenal, whether you're a professional barber crafting masterpieces or a home user perfecting your look. But like any high-performance instrument, they require regular care to deliver a flawless cut every single time. Neglecting maintenance not only shortens the life of your clippers but also compromises hygiene and performance.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about cleaning, oiling, and maintaining your clippers to keep them running like new for years to come.
The "Why": Why Clipper Maintenance is Non-Negotiable
- Longevity: Proper care prevents rust, reduces wear and tear on the motor, and extends the overall lifespan of your investment.
- Performance: Clean, oiled, and aligned blades cut smoothly and efficiently, preventing painful hair pulling and uneven results.
- Hygiene: Regular cleaning and disinfecting are crucial to remove hair, skin cells, and bacteria, ensuring a safe and sanitary cut for every client (or for yourself).
- Cost Savings: Maintained blades stay sharper longer, and a healthy motor avoids costly repairs or premature replacement.
Daily Ritual: After Every Single Use
This five-minute routine is the single most important habit you can develop for clipper health.
- Brush It Off: Turn the clipper off. Use a stiff-bristled brush (like the one that came with your clippers or a clean toothbrush) to thoroughly remove all loose hair from the blades, teeth, and around the blade housing.
- Disinfect and Cool: Use a high-quality clipper spray (like a 5-in-1 formula). Hold the clipper with the blades pointing down and spray directly onto the blades while the clipper is running. This disinfects, lubricates, cleans, cools, and prevents rust in one go. Let it run for about 10 seconds, then turn it off and wipe the excess with a clean, dry cloth.
- Oil is Gold: With the clipper still off, apply three drops of dedicated clipper oil—one drop on the left corner of the blades, one on the right, and one in the middle. Turn the clipper on for a few seconds to distribute the oil evenly across the blades. Wipe away any excess. Never use water, WD-40, or other oils, as they can damage your clippers.
Periodic Deep Clean & Alignment Check
Once a week for professionals, or once a month for home users, perform a more thorough check-up.
- Blade Removal: If your clippers have a detachable blade, remove it according to the manufacturer's instructions. This allows you to brush out any hair trapped underneath the blade assembly and inside the housing.
- Blade Wash (Optional): Some blades can be cleaned with a blade wash solution. Submerge only the blades (not the clipper body!) in the solution for the recommended time to dissolve grease and buildup. Dry them thoroughly and re-oil before reattaching.
- Blade Alignment: When reattaching the blade, ensure it's perfectly aligned. The top (cutting) blade's teeth should be set back slightly from the bottom (stationary) blade's teeth. An improperly aligned blade can cut or nick the skin. Consult your clipper's manual for specific alignment instructions.
Long-Term Care: Sharpening and Storage
- Professional Sharpening: When you notice your blades are pulling hair or not cutting as cleanly, it's time for them to be sharpened. While DIY kits exist, professional sharpening restores the factory edge with precision. At Boms Clippers, we offer expert blade sharpening services to bring your tools back to life.
- Proper Storage: Store your clippers in a dry, safe place. If it came with a blade guard, use it to protect the teeth from getting damaged. Avoid wrapping the cord tightly around the clipper body, as this can damage the internal wiring over time.
Final Thoughts
Investing a few minutes in clipper care each day pays massive dividends in performance and durability. A well-maintained tool not only feels better in your hand but also produces superior results, elevating your craft and ensuring client satisfaction.
Need advice on the right products or services for your clippers? Don't hesitate to contact our team or visit us in-store!