How to Clean and Maintain a Hair Clipper and Trimmer

A trimmer that's cleaned and maintained properly lasts noticeably longer and keeps cutting cleanly, while a neglected one dulls faster and can start pulling hair uncomfortably. None of this takes more than a few minutes after each use — here's the general routine worth following.

Clean After Every Use

Loose hair trapped in the blades is the biggest everyday cause of a trimmer feeling less sharp over time. Most trimmers include a small cleaning brush specifically for this — use it to remove hair clippings from between the blade teeth right after each session, before they dry and compact.

Lubricate the Blades Periodically

A drop or two of the lubricating oil that typically comes included with a trimmer, applied to the blade edge, reduces friction and helps prevent the blades from pulling hair or heating up during use. Follow the specific guidance in your trimmer's user manual for how often to do this — it varies by model and usage frequency.

Store It Properly

Using the blade protective cap included with most trimmers when the device isn't in use protects the blade edge from accidental knocks and keeps dust out. Store the trimmer somewhere dry rather than a humid bathroom cabinet, since moisture is a common cause of corrosion on metal blades over time.

Charging Habits

For rechargeable trimmers, avoid leaving the device on charge indefinitely beyond what's needed — follow the charging guidance in the product's manual. If your trimmer has an LCD battery display, use it to charge proactively rather than running the battery all the way to empty repeatedly.

When to Replace Guide Combs or Blades

Guide combs that have visibly cracked or lost teeth should be replaced, since a damaged comb can lead to uneven cutting. If the blades start pulling hair even after cleaning and lubrication, that's usually a sign they've reached the end of their useful life.

Product-Specific Guidance

Always follow the maintenance instructions included with your specific trimmer's user manual, since exact recommendations (how often to oil, how to detach guide combs safely) can vary by model. The Kemei KM-809A Professional Rechargeable Hair Clipper Trimmer, for example, ships with its own cleaning brush, lubricating oil and user manual for this purpose.

Looking for a new trimmer instead? Browse the Shaving & Grooming category at DigontoBD.