How to Clean and Maintain Hair Clipper & Trimmer like a Professional Barber

Dirty, dull clippers are every barber’s nightmare. Imagine you’re in the middle of giving a fresh fade or trim, and your clipper suddenly starts tugging at the hair or cutting unevenly. Frustrating, right?

Not only do worn-out clipper blades ruin your hairstyle. They can scratch skin, irritate clients, and harbor harmful bacteria.

Worry not. In this guide, you’ll learn everything about clipper maintenance. You’ll explore how to clean barber clippers and sterilise your blades to simple upkeep tricks that keep your tools cutting like new.

Let’s get in!

Signs Your Clippers and Trimmers Need Cleaning

How do you know when to clean your clipper? Here are some common signs that your clippers or trimmers need service:

• The clipper no longer gives a clean, smooth cut (hair feels uneven or tugged).
• The clipper or trimmer makes loud, sharp noises or rattling during use.
• The clipper’s motor seems to power on and off unexpectedly while cutting.
• You feel the blade or lever is loose, slipping, or misaligned.
• The clipper blades get unusually hot.
• Hair starts bending instead of being cut cleanly.
• You notice rust, discolouration, or buildup on the blades.

It’s best not to wait for issues to surface. Even if your clippers seem fine, wipe the blades free of hair after each use. Apply a few drops of oil to prevent wear. If you cut hair every day, do a thorough cleaning and oil at least once a week to keep them in top shape.

Now that you know the warning signs, let’s explore how to clean and maintain your clippers like a pro.

How to Clean Hair Clippers at Home | 5 Simple Steps

Follow these steps to give your clippers or trimmers a thorough cleaning:

Step #1. Unplug the clippers

Always start by disconnecting the power. This will avoid any accidents.

Step #2. Remove visible hair

Grab a small brush or a dry cloth. Use it to wipe away loose hair and debris from the outside of the clipper housing and any guards.

Step #3. Disassemble the clippers

Carefully take off any detachable blade heads or guards. So, you can clean beneath them. Remove all hair and debris from inside.

Step #4. Clean the blades

Use a barber-grade blade wash solution and a soft brush to scrub the blades. A good blade wash kills bacteria, neutralises odours, and protects against rust. Very dirty blades? You can soak them in the solution for a few minutes. White vinegar is a natural alternative. It disinfects and prevents mildew. But it won’t last as long as a commercial solution. (See below to discover many effective solutions to clean and disinfect the clippers)

Step #5. Dry the clippers

Pat the blades and parts dry with a clean cloth. Let them air-dry completely before reassembling.

Quick Tips: Make sure the blades are reassembled and aligned correctly. Tighten all screws so the blade head doesn’t wiggle.

7 Pro-Level Ways to Clean Your Clippers or Trimmer

Between each haircut, a quick clean swoops away stray hairs and grime. Then, give your blades a deep scrub at least once a week or every couple of days if you’re non-stop cutting.

Start by unscrewing the blade heads. Then pick one (or all!) of these seven easy techniques:

1. Disinfect & Cool with Clipper Spray

An all-in-one clipper spray kills germs, cools hot blades, and lifts away hair clippings in seconds. Simply power on your clipper. Hold the can a few inches from the teeth. Mist lightly. Let it spin for 3–5 seconds. Then switch off and wipe away any residue.

2. Brush Out Hair Between the Teeth

Grab the little stiff brush that came with your clippers (or a clean toothbrush!) and sweep back and forth across both sides of the blades. Micro-brushes from barber suppliers work even better for tight nooks. But any clean, firm-bristled brush will flick out clumps of cut hair.

3. Quick Dip in 70% Isopropyl Alcohol

Pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol into a shallow dish. With your clipper running, gently dip just the blade tips into the alcohol. This quick dip sanitises the teeth and dissolves stubborn debris. Let blades air-dry completely before oiling.

4. Blast Away Debris with Compressed Air

Compressed air won’t disinfect. But it’s perfect for blowing out hidden hairs after you’ve brushed or sprayed. Hold the can a few inches away and give your blades a short burst to clear every crevice.

5. Deep-Clean with Soap & Water

When you need a basic yet effective clean, dish soap and warm water do the trick. Unplug your clippers. Apply a drop of grease-fighting soap to the blade. Scrub gently with a brush under warm running water. Then pat dry.

Quick Tip: never soak the clipper body. Only the blade head.

6. Sterilise with Barbicide Soak

Barbicide is the gold-standard disinfectant in barber shops. Mix 1 fl oz (30 mL) of Barbicide per 16 fl oz (470 mL) of water. Dip in your removed blades for at least 10 minutes. Rinse and dry thoroughly. Generic “Barbicide-style” solutions work just as well for a lower price.

7. One-Step All-In-One Clipper Cleaner

For the ultimate convenience, pick up a professional all-in-one clipper cleaner. These sprays or soak solutions disinfect, lubricate, and cool your blades in one go. Just follow the manufacturer’s directions. Then wipe away excess and you’re good to cut again.

5 Tips to Maintain Your Barber Clippers & Trimmers

Follow these habits to keep your barber tools in peak condition:

• Brush the blades after every cut

Hair buildup is one of the main reasons clippers run poorly. After each haircut, use a brush or a clean toothbrush to remove any hair trapped between the blades. This keeps the blades sharp and prevents them from pinching the skin.

• Oil your clippers regularly

Proper lubrication is important for smooth cutting. Here’s how to oil a clipper blade:

• After brushing off hair, apply a few drops of high-quality clipper oil (sometimes called shaver oil or hair trimmer oil) across the blade’s teeth and on the rails.
• Turn the clipper on for a few seconds to distribute the oil.
• Then wipe off any excess.

This prevents friction and heat. (In a pinch, a light machine oil or a bit of vegetable oil will work. Avoid heavy greases like motor oil.

• Use clipper cooling spray often

Clippers heat up quickly during use. Cooling sprays designed for clippers will help dissipate heat. As mentioned above, they disinfect and lubricate the blades at the same time. Just spray the blades and let it work before your next cut.

• Disinfect after cleaning

Periodically soak your clipper blades in a sanitiser like Barbicide (method discussed above). Or use an alcohol-based spray to fully sterilise.

This is especially important for professional barbers. A sterilised clipper prevents spreading germs between clients. Always dry and oil the blades again after disinfecting.

• Store and inspect your tools properly

When not in use, keep your clippers in a clean, dry place. A protective case or drawer works well. Check the blade alignment and screw tightness regularly as loose or misaligned blades can cut unevenly or pinch skin.

Replace or sharpen dull blades as needed. By treating your clippers with care, you’ll extend their life and keep every cut smooth.

Are you tired of wrestling with grimy, underperforming clippers? Let the pros handle it!

Skip the Cleanup Hustle | Get Professional Haircuts at Barber Nation

At Barber Nation, our experienced barbers use pristine, professionally maintained clippers and trimmers for every service, so you can relax and enjoy:

• Smooth, snag-free haircuts using tools that are cleaned and disinfected before each appointment
• Precision fades & sculpted lines thanks to razor-sharp, perfectly aligned blades
• Hygienic grooming with sterilised equipment for your peace of mind

Why waste your free time scraping out blades and hunting for oils?

Book Your Next Haircut at any of our six barber shops in Perth and never worry about clipper upkeep again.

FAQs about Clipper Cleaning & Maintenance

Q1. What can I use to clean my clippers?

70% isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) is a great disinfectant for blades. You can dip the blade tips in it or spray it while running. Professional disinfectant sprays like Barbicide for salon tools, also work well. Always run the clippers briefly after spraying to help the solution reach all surfaces.

Q2. How do I get hair out of clipper blades?

Turn off and unplug the clipper. Then remove any blade guards. Use a small brush to flick out hairs from between the blade teeth. You can also blow compressed air between the blades. For stubborn bits, run the clippers (off power) on a paper towel to wipe them clean.

Q3. How often should I oil my clipper blades?

You should oil your blades every time you clean them. And ideally after each use. If you are cutting hair for a long time, add a drop of oil every 15–20 minutes. This keeps the blades moving smoothly and prevents overheating.

Q4. What happens if you don’t oil clipper blades?

Dull, improperly lubricated blades will heat up and cut poorly. If blades lack oil, they can pull or tug on hair instead of cutting it cleanly. This makes cuts uneven or uncomfortable. Regular oiling keeps them sharp and running smoothly.

Q5. How do I remove the trimmer head cap?

This varies by model. Many trimmers have a head cap that either snaps off or twists off. Turn off and unplug the trimmer. Then gently twist or pull the cap as instructed in your manual. If it’s tight, look for small screws or tabs that you may need to press to release it.

Q6. How long can a clipper last?

With proper care, a good-quality clipper can last many years; often 5 to 10 years or more. Lifespan depends on usage frequency and maintenance. Daily professional use may wear them out faster than home use. But regular cleaning and oiling will significantly extend their life.

Q7. How often should I deep-clean my trimmer?

Aim to do a deep clean of your clipper or trimmer at least once a week if you use it daily or every few days. For lighter, personal use, a thorough cleaning every 2 weeks to a month is a good rule. Remember to clean and oil the blades after every haircut as a basic routine.

Q8. What’s the best oil for professional clippers?

Premium Lubricating White Oil for Hair Clippers is especially made for barber tools. It is light and won’t gum up. Brands like Andis or Oster make clipper oil. In a pinch, some barbers use light machine oil. Avoid heavy oils or grease as they can clog the blades.

Q9. How do I sharpen clipper blades?

To sharpen blades, you can remove them and use a fine sharpening stone or professional sharpening kit. Many barber shops offer blade sharpening services. You send in the blades and they return them sharp. There are also honing kits that let you maintain the blade edges yourself. Always clean and oil the blades after sharpening before using them again.