How to Clean and Oil Hair Clippers So They Cut Cleanly at Home
To clean hair clippers, unplug them, brush out loose hair from the blades, then remove the blade if your model allows and brush or wipe away the packed hair underneath. Disinfect the blade with a product made for clippers, let it dry, refit it, and finish with two or three drops of clipper oil across the teeth and one on each side. Run the clippers for 20 seconds to spread the oil, then wipe off the excess. Brush them after every use and oil them every time or two. Most clippers that pull, snag or run hot are not broken; they are dirty and dry.
Here is the full routine, step by step, along with what barbers do differently and when it is time for a new blade.
Why clippers stop cutting well
A clipper blade is two plates of teeth. The bottom one stays still and the top one moves side to side very fast, slicing hair between them. Three things get in the way.
- Packed hair. Fine clippings work their way between the plates and behind the blade, slowing the movement.
- Friction. Metal moving against metal heats up. Without oil the blade drags, warms up and pulls hair rather than cutting it.
- Residue. Skin oil, styling product and the remains of old oil form a sticky film that traps more hair.
Clean blades and a thin film of oil solve most of it.
What you need
- The small brush that came with the clippers, or a clean old toothbrush
- Clipper oil (a light mineral oil sold for the purpose)
- A blade wash or disinfectant spray made for clippers
- Kitchen roll or a lint-free cloth
- A small screwdriver, if your blade is screwed on
Avoid cooking oils. They thicken and go sticky over time. Avoid general-purpose lubricant sprays too, which are often too thin and can attract dust.
Step by step: cleaning and oiling
- Unplug or switch off. If cordless, take it off charge. Remove any guard.
- Brush the blade. With the teeth facing down, brush across and between the teeth to clear loose hair.
- Remove the blade if you can. Many clippers have a blade that pushes off with your thumb or is held by two screws. Check your manual. If it is fixed, skip to step 5.
- Clean underneath. Brush out the hair packed behind the blade and around the drive. Wipe away any old, dark oil. Reattach the blade, making sure the top plate sits slightly back from the bottom plate’s teeth, as it was originally.
- Disinfect. Use a clipper blade spray or dip the teeth in a blade wash while the clippers run, following the product’s directions. Let the blade dry fully.
- Oil. Hold the clippers teeth up. Put a drop of oil across the top of the teeth on the left, middle and right, then a drop on each side rail where the plates meet.
- Run them. Switch on for about 20 seconds so the oil spreads between the plates.
- Wipe. Turn off and wipe away excess oil. Too much oil collects hair and can mark skin.
How often to do each job
| Task | How often at home |
|---|---|
| Brush out loose hair | After every use |
| Oil the blade | Every use, or every other use |
| Remove blade and deep clean | Roughly once a month with regular use |
| Disinfect | After each use if shared, otherwise regularly |
| Wash guards | When they look grubby; warm soapy water, dry fully |
Plastic guards can be washed. The clipper body and motor should never go under a tap unless the manufacturer says the model is washable.
Mistakes that shorten a clipper’s life
Rinsing non-washable clippers
Water in the motor or around the blade causes rust and damage. Check before you rinse.
Misaligning the blade
If you refit the blade with the moving plate level with or past the fixed plate, it can cut the skin. Take a photo before removing it so you know where it sits.
Over-oiling
A few drops is enough. A flooded blade just gathers hair and leaves residue on the scalp.
Ignoring a dull blade
Cleaning fixes friction, not bluntness. If the clippers still pull after a proper clean and oil, the blade may need replacing.
When to replace the blade
Signs a blade has had its day: it pulls even when clean and oiled, it leaves uneven patches, a tooth is chipped, or there is visible rust. Many brands sell replacement blades, which is usually cheaper than new clippers. A chipped tooth is a reason to stop using the blade straight away; it can scratch the skin.
What barbers do differently
In a shop, clippers are used on many people a day, so hygiene is stricter. Blades and guards are cleaned and disinfected between clients, and razors use fresh disposable blades. Barbers also oil more often, because their clippers run for hours. If you cut your own hair at home, borrowing that discipline will make your clippers last much longer.
Knowing your guard numbers helps too. Our guide to clipper guard numbers explains what each one leaves, and our comparison of clippers and trimmers covers which tool suits which job.
Home tidy-ups are useful between visits, but a fade, a clean neckline and sharp edges are much easier for a barber who can see the back of your head. At Highgate Cuts on Archway Road, every visit begins with an assessment of your hair, and the barber will tell you how to keep the shape going at home if you ask.
Questions we get asked
Can I use olive oil or WD-40 on clippers?
Better not. Olive oil goes sticky over time, and general lubricant sprays are not designed for blades. Use proper clipper oil.
Why do my clippers get hot?
Usually friction from a dry or dirty blade. Clean and oil them. If they still overheat, the blade may be set too tight or worn.
How do I clean clippers if the blade does not come off?
Brush thoroughly, use a blade wash with the clippers running if the product allows, then oil and run them to clear debris.
How long should clipper blades last?
It depends on use and care. Brushing and oiling regularly makes the biggest difference. For anything you would rather leave to a professional, our barbers in Highgate are a short walk from the tube.
Book with The Highgate House
Ready for a proper cut? Email us at [email protected] with the service and the day that suits you, and we will come back to you with times.
Visit The Highgate House · The barbers
The Highgate House, Archway Road, Highgate, London N6.
