You’ve invested a significant amount of money to get a great pair of clippers. To make them last as long as possible, you’ll want to take some precautions to stop the clipper blades rusting.
Rusty clipper blades will affect the efficiency of your clippers. They won’t cut as well as they should, and they are more likely to pull hair or cause nicks and cuts to your skin.
It’s quite easy to maintain your clippers. After each use, you just need to commit to a basic cleaning, drying, and lubrication routine.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to care for your clippers and prevent the blades from rusting.
Why Do Clipper Blades Rust?
There are several reasons why clipper blades get rusty. The scientific term for what is commonly known as rust is Oxidation, a chemical reaction between metal and oxygen.
The main causes of oxidation on clipper and trimmer blades are:
- Moisture: Extended exposure to water or humidity can remove the top layer of metal on the blade, exposing it to oxygen and allowing the surface to rust.
- Improper cleaning and lubrication: Hair buildup and lack of lubrication can cause blades to rust.
- Improper storage: Always store your clippers in a clean, dry environment and use a blade cover to protect the teeth of the blades.
- Exposure to chemicals: Some chemicals, like styptic powder, saline, or cleaning solutions, may cause the protective layer to be removed and expose the metal to oxidation.
Using Oil To Prevent Clipper Blades From Rusting
When you buy a clipper, you’re going to find a handful of accessories included in the box. In almost all cases, one item that you’ll receive is a bottle of clipper oil to lubricate the blade.
Wahl, a leading manufacturer of hair clippers and grooming tools, recommends oiling your blades before and after use.
The process is very easy.
Before and after use, simply clean any excess hair from the clippers, apply a few drops of oil to the blade, and run the clipper for a few seconds to spread the oil across the blade. Be sure to wipe off the excess lubricant.
A few simple steps will make a big difference in the long run and it will greatly extend the lifespan of your clipper and its blades.
How Do I Clean And Dry Clipper Blades
Besides using clipper oil, you should also clean your clipper blades regularly. Ideally, at the end of every use.
Thankfully, this is pretty easy. You just need to follow a few simple steps.
Make sure that you’re cleaning the blades using a gentle solvent. In fact, it is often safer to use simple water.
The most important thing is to dry the blades thoroughly after cleaning. Use a soft, lint-free cloth to wipe off any excess water, and let them dry in the open air.
Extended exposure to moisture will cause them to rust.
Removing all moisture will reduce the possibility of rusting and extend the overall life of the blades.
How To Protect Your Clipper Blade
Another common accessory that is supplied with clippers is a blade guard.
The blade guard is designed to protect the blade from damage when the clippers are stored and not being used. It also helps to keep the blades free of dust and debris.
The guard should snap in and out of place for easier use.
Store Your Clippers Properly To Prevent Rust
If you want your clippers to last a long time, you will want to store them correctly when they are not being used.
You could just leave them on the bathroom bench, but that leaves them open to damage.
This is why you should use the storage case made for the specific product. To protect the clipper and its blades, you just have to put the clipper back in the box, shut the lid, and snap it closed.
Storing your clippers in an airtight container, in a dry place will also decrease the likelihood that the blades will develop rust soon.
Pro Tip: Put a spare silica gel packet in your storage container to absorb any excess moisture.
Use The Clippers Correctly
Finally, you should make sure that you’re only using the clipper as intended.
Improper use of the clipper could cause damage to the protective coating on the blade and make it susceptible to corrosion.
Always read the manufacturer’s operating instructions thoroughly and follow their advice.
Improper use could also void your warranty.
Which Cleaning Solution Should I Use To Remove Rust?
Despite your best efforts, there is always a chance your blades will develop rust. If this happens, you can do things to restore your blades.
You should start by cleaning the blades with a non acidic solution that isn’t going to damage or dull them. Something like H-42 Virucidal Anti-Bacterial Clean Clippers solution is a PH neutral, anti-bacterial cleaner that is perfect for cleaning clipper blades.
Scrub With A Brass Brush To Remove Rust
Even after cleaning using the above methods, sometimes there is stubborn rust that can’t be removed by doing a standard blade wash.
If this is the case, you may want to consider buying a small brass brush. Choose one that is roughly the size of a toothbrush.
Brass is much softer than steel, so this will decrease the likelihood that the brush will dull the blades. However, you should work carefully to avoid damaging or dulling the blades.
Using this method, you might be able to get rid of the rust. If there was a lot of rust, we recommend you also take time to sharpen the blades too.
Summary
All in all, clippers are not going to last forever. This is definitely the case when it comes to the blades. There is always a real possibility that your blades are going to develop rust.
If that happens, you might be able to clean the blades and remove the rust, but this might not be possible.
Taking measures to prevent rust from forming on your blades is the best action to take.
With that being said, you should use the tips above to ensure that your clippers have a longer blade life.