Guide · Clippers and blades
How to clean and oil clipper blades
Brush out the hair, oil the teeth and heel, run the clipper, then disinfect and store dry. Wahl, Oster and Andis instructions side by side, plus battery care.
Short answer
After every session, brush the hair out of the blade and oil it. Wahl's method is three drops across the top of the teeth (left, center and right) and one drop at the heel on each side, then run the clipper for a few seconds.[1] Andis also oils before use, and again whenever the blade feels warm or dry, and says its coolant spray does not replace oil.[2] Disinfect, then store blades clean and dry.[1]
What the makers say
| Wahl | Oster | Andis | |
|---|---|---|---|
| After each use | Remove the blade and brush out the hair[1] | Remove hair[3] | Add a few drops of oil[2] |
| Oiling | Three drops across the teeth and one at the heel on each side, then run for a few seconds[1] | Apply blade lube after each use[3] | A few drops before and after use; again if the blade feels warm or dry[2] |
| Disinfecting | Daily[1] | — | Markets Cool Care Plus to disinfect, cool, lubricate, clean and prevent rust[2] |
| Coolant spray | — | — | Cool Care Plus "doesn't replace blade oil"[2] |
| Storage | Clean and dry[1] | — | — |
A dash means the maker source we used doesn't cover that step. Your clipper's manual is the final word for your model.
Step by step
These steps combine Wahl's and Andis' instructions. The order is ours, so check it against your clipper's manual.
- Switch off and unplug, or take a cordless clipper off its charger.
- Remove the blade, if it detaches, and brush the hair out of the teeth and the area around the blade.[1]
- Disinfect. Wahl's care guide says to disinfect daily.[1] Use a product sold for clipper blades and follow its label.
- Refit the blade and oil it: three drops across the top of the teeth, at the left, center and right, plus one drop at the heel on each side.[1]
- Run the clipper for a few seconds to spread the oil.[1] Then switch off and wipe away any excess.
- Store the blade clean and dry.[1]
- Oil again before the next session. Andis recommends a few drops before use as well as after.[2]
For a 5-in-1 or other fixed blade, follow your manual for how far to take it apart. Use the blade oil your clipper's maker sells or names in the manual.
During a session
Andis says to reapply oil if the blade starts to feel warm or dry.[2] A coolant spray is not a substitute: Andis says plainly that its Cool Care Plus doesn't replace blade oil.[2]
Check the blade against the inside of your wrist as you go, and stop when it feels warm. Why clipper blades get hot explains where the heat comes from and what the "cooler blade" claims mean.
Brush hair off the blade whenever it builds up during a long session, too. It takes seconds, and it means the oil you add reaches the teeth rather than a clump of hair.
Cordless clippers: battery care
If your clipper, or the clipper in a grooming-vacuum kit, has a lithium-ion battery, Health Canada's battery advice makes a good checklist:
- Use the charger that came with the device, and buy any replacement from a trusted source with compatible voltage and current.[4]
- In Canada, use only chargers with a recognized Canadian certification mark such as CSA, cUL or cETL; Health Canada says chargers without one do not meet electrical safety standards.[4]
- Don't use a swollen or dented battery.[4]
- Don't charge longer than recommended, and charge at room temperature where you can see it.[4]
Check the input your clipper expects before you swap chargers: the Andis ProClip 5-in-1, for example, charges over USB-C at 5 V and 1 A.[5]
When a blade needs replacing
Replace a blade with a chipped, bent or missing tooth rather than using it. If a clean, freshly oiled blade still drags or pulls at the coat, stop and check it instead of pushing it through the coat.
We don't list replacement blades yet. Dog clipper blade sizes explained covers what to check before you buy one, and A5-style vs 5-in-1 clipper blades explains which blades fit which clippers.
Next
Questions
How often should I oil clipper blades?
Wahl and Oster say after each use. Andis adds a few drops before use too, and again during grooming if the blade starts to feel warm or dry.[1][3][2]
Where do the oil drops go on a clipper blade?
Wahl's method is three drops across the top of the teeth, at the left, center and right, and one drop at the heel on each side. Then run the clipper for a few seconds to spread the oil.[1]
Can I use coolant spray instead of blade oil?
No. Andis markets its Cool Care Plus spray as a coolant and lubricant but says it doesn't replace blade oil.[2]
Do clipper blades need disinfecting?
Wahl's care guide says to disinfect daily and to store blades clean and dry. Use a product sold for clipper blades and follow its label.[1]
How should I charge a cordless pet clipper?
Health Canada advises using the charger that came with the device, charging at room temperature where you can see it, not charging longer than recommended, and never using a swollen or dented battery.[4]