The Ultimate 7-Step Professional Guide On How To Clean Hair Clippers (2025 Edition)

Maintaining the precision and longevity of your hair clippers is a non-negotiable task, yet it is one of the most overlooked aspects of grooming. A dirty clipper not only pulls hair and delivers a poor cut but also becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and rust, quickly dulling even the most expensive blades. As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the best practices for clipper care have converged into a streamlined, professional seven-step process that guarantees peak performance and hygiene.

This comprehensive guide breaks down the professional barber’s routine, covering everything from the essential daily maintenance to the crucial monthly deep clean, ensuring your tools—whether corded or cordless—remain sharp, cool, and reliable for years to come. Follow these steps to significantly extend the life of your equipment and achieve consistently flawless results.

The Essential 7-Step Daily Clipper Maintenance Routine

For any serious groomer or professional barber, cleaning your clippers is not a periodic chore; it is a daily necessity. This routine should be performed immediately after every use to prevent hair, skin cells, and debris from hardening and jamming the mechanism.

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1. Step 1: Power Down and Detach the Guides
   Always ensure the clipper is turned off and unplugged if it is a corded model. For cordless clippers, switch it off and let the blades cool if they were running hot. Remove all comb guides and attachments (including the blade guard) and set them aside for separate cleaning.
2. Step 2: Brush Away Loose Hair and Debris
   Using a small, stiff-bristled nylon cleaning brush (often supplied with the clipper), gently brush all loose hair from the blades. Focus on the teeth and the small gap between the two blades. This is the most critical step for daily maintenance. For trimmers, use a softer brush to avoid bending the fine teeth.
3. Step 3: Blast with Compressed Air (The Pro Secret)
   To dislodge microscopic hairs and skin particles trapped deep within the blade housing, use a can of compressed air. Direct short bursts of air across the blades and into the crevices. This is far more effective than brushing alone, especially for fine hair types.
4. Step 4: Cleanse and Disinfect with Clipper Spray
   Hold the clipper with the blades facing down and turn the unit on (briefly). Spray a dedicated 5-in-1 clipper spray, such as Andis CoolCare or Wahl Blade Ice, directly onto the blades while the motor is running. These sprays clean, cool, lubricate, disinfect, and prevent rust. Allow the clipper to run for about 10–15 seconds to work the solution through the mechanism.
5. Step 5: Wipe and Dry Thoroughly
   Turn the clipper off. Use a clean, soft cloth or a paper towel to wipe away any excess spray or solution from the blades and the clipper body. Ensure the blades are completely dry before proceeding to the next step, as residual moisture is the primary cause of rust.
6. Step 6: Lubricate with Clipper Oil
   Proper lubrication is the lifeblood of your clippers. With the clipper running, apply 2–3 drops of specialized clipper oil (not WD-40 or cooking oil) across the top blade. Place one drop on the left corner, one on the right corner, and one in the center. Allow the clipper to run for another 10–15 seconds to distribute the oil evenly. This step reduces friction, heat, and wear.
7. Step 7: Final Wipe and Storage
   Turn the clipper off and give it one final, gentle wipe to remove any surplus oil that might attract dust and hair. Store your clipper in a cool, dry place, ideally with the blade guard attached to protect the teeth from damage.

Advanced Deep Cleaning: Stripping the Blades for Ultimate Hygiene

While the 7-step daily routine is essential, a monthly or bi-weekly deep clean is necessary to remove the packed-in hair and grime that accumulate under the cutting blade. This process, often called "stripping" or "zero-gapping," involves removing the blade assembly from the clipper body.

How to Disassemble and Soak Your Clipper Blades

Deep cleaning requires a slightly more hands-on approach. The goal is to reach the tight spaces the brush and spray cannot access.

• Identify the Screws: Most professional clippers (like Wahl, Andis, or BabylissPRO) use two small screws to hold the blade assembly in place. You will need a small Phillips or flathead screwdriver.
• Remove the Screws: Carefully unscrew the two screws and lift the stationary (bottom) blade and the cutting (top, moving) blade away from the clipper body. Note the position of the parts, especially the small spring or drive mechanism, as you will need to reassemble it correctly.
• Brush and Soak: Use your nylon brush to thoroughly clean the hair and debris from the internal parts of the clipper body and the blades themselves. For true disinfection, submerge the metal blades (and only the blades) in a blade wash solution, Isopropyl Alcohol (70% or higher), or a hospital-grade disinfectant like Barbicide for the manufacturer's recommended time.
• Rinse and Dry: Rinse the blades with hot water (if using a blade wash) and immediately dry them with a blow dryer or a clean towel. Speed is crucial here—any lingering moisture will cause rust.
• Reassemble and Zero-Gap: Reattach the blades to the clipper body. Before tightening the screws completely, align the blades. The small cutting blade should sit slightly behind the teeth of the stationary blade to prevent nicking the skin (this is known as zero-gapping). Tighten the screws, apply 3 drops of clipper oil, and test the operation.

Blade Material Matters: Cleaning Ceramic vs. Steel Blades

The material of your clipper blades dictates subtle but important changes in your cleaning and maintenance protocol. Recognizing the difference is vital for maximizing performance and longevity.

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Stainless Steel Blades

Stainless steel is the industry standard, known for its durability and ease of sharpening. However, steel blades are highly susceptible to rust and friction-induced heat.

• Cleaning Focus: Preventing rust and managing heat.
• Key Protocol: Never let water sit on the blades. Use a dedicated rust-inhibiting clipper spray. Most importantly, oil must be applied after every single use to create a protective barrier and reduce friction, which prevents the blades from getting too hot.

Ceramic Blades

Ceramic blades are becoming increasingly popular because they stay sharper longer, are quieter, and, most notably, generate significantly less heat than steel during prolonged use. However, ceramic is brittle and can chip or break if dropped.

• Cleaning Focus: Protecting the fragile ceramic cutter and lubricating the metal components.
• Key Protocol: The ceramic cutter itself does not require oiling, but the metal stationary blade and the internal mechanism still do. You can often get away with just lubricating the metal areas. Clipper spray is excellent for ceramic blades as it cleans and cools without the rust risk associated with steel. Be gentle when brushing or handling to avoid chipping the ceramic.

Common Clipper Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid

Even with the best intentions, a few common errors can severely damage your clippers and shorten their lifespan. Avoid these pitfalls to maintain professional-grade performance:

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• Using Water on Non-Waterproof Clippers: Unless your clipper is specifically labeled as "washable" or "waterproof," never rinse the entire unit under the faucet. Water will corrode the metal parts and damage the motor. Use alcohol or blade wash instead.
• Neglecting to Oil: Clipper oil is not optional. Running dry blades is the fastest way to generate excessive heat, dull the cutting edge, and cause premature wear on the motor drive. Always oil after cleaning and disinfecting.
• Using the Wrong Oil: Do not use motor oil, cooking oil, or general lubricants like WD-40. These are too thick, can gum up the mechanism, and may cause skin irritation. Only use specialized, lightweight clipper oil.
• Relying on Deep Cleans Alone: Daily maintenance is vital. Waiting for a scheduled "deep clean" allows hair and debris to pack and harden, which can permanently damage the cutter set.
• Not Disinfecting: Especially if you cut hair for multiple people (even family members), disinfection with Isopropyl Alcohol or a specialized spray is necessary to prevent the spread of bacteria, fungi, and skin infections.