Spring is finally here, which can only mean one thing… spring cleaning! If you have finished clipping for the season, take time to give your clippers a good deep clean before storing them away. Caked on grime will be harder to clean come the winter and could rust your clipper blades and internal clipper components. A well-maintained clipper ensures a smooth and stress-free clipping experience, so don't overlook this important step.
Follow our step-by-step guide to keep your clippers in top condition so they are primed and ready for next clipping season.
Step 1:Cleaning And Storing Your Clipper Blades
- Remove the blades from the clipper
- Brush away clipped hair and wipe away any dirt away with a soft cloth. Our Andis 5-in-1 spray is great for cleaning dirty blades. Check out our video guide here.
- For A5 blades, move the cutter halfway along to clean the cutting surfaces. Find out how here
- Check over each blade for missing teeth, rust or excessive wear and replace as necessary.
- Send dull blades off for sharpening now rather than waiting for the autumn rush. Shear Ease Ltd offer an expert sharpening service with free postage.
- Store clean blades wrapped in a clean cloth or grease proof paper covered with a little clipper oil in an airtight plastic storage box or their original Masterclip blister packs to prevent rusting. such as these purpose made boxes from Shear Ease Ltd
For detailed blade maintenance and cleaning tutorials for your clipper model and blades, check out our YouTube channel here.
Step 2 – Cleaning the clipper handset
Love it or hate it, cleaning your clippers is an essential part of maintaining your equipment. With good care your clippers will last for many years to come, giving you the best return on your investment. Here’s our top tips for cleaning the clipper handset.
- With the clipper blades removed, clean out any trapped hair from inside the clipper head. Air dusters (cans of pressurised air for cleaning computers) are superb for blowing out hair from all the nooks and crannies!
- If your clipper has removable filters, Remove and clean air filters with the supplied cleaning brush and check for damage to the fine mesh. Broken filters will allow clipped hair to get caught inside the handset, leading to overheating. Replace broken filters here.
- Wipe down the clipper cable with some disinfectant cleaning wipes and dry with a soft cloth. Never submerge your cable in water. The power cable can get particularly dirty and smelly if it gets into contact with the stable floor. Check along the length of the cord for damage and send your clippers off for repair if the cable shows signs of wear.
- Check and carefully wipe over the batteries with a dry soft cloth. Carefully wipe over the batteries with a dry cloth. Ideally run each battery down before storing for a longer term.
- If your clipper is due, send your handset for a service ready for the next season – ideally send them off over the warmer months before the Autumn rush.
- Lastly, No matter how regularly you clean your heavy duty clipper, clipped hair can get trapped into the main body of the handset which can only be cleaned out properly with a service. We recommend sending your clipper for servicing every 1-2 years depending on their workload. This will ensure that the inside of the clipper motor is thoroughly cleaned out and allows for worn parts to be replaced before problems occur.
Step 3 – Storing your clippers
The best place to store your clippers is in their original carry case. Now that your clippers and blades are clean, it pays to clean out your carry case to make sure that the previous work is not undone.
- Remove any foam padding and accessories and take time to clean out the case of any accumulated hair.
- Wipe clean the inside and outside of the carry case with a soft cloth.
- Make sure the carry case, foam, and any accessories such as combs are completely dry before replacing them into the case. This will prevent rust developing inside your handset and damaging the clipper.
- Make sure opened bottles of clipper oil have their lid screwed on tight to avoid leakages or store these separately in a leak proof container.
- Keep the carry case in a dry and warm environment. Inside your own home is best. Cold damp outbuildings and even heated tack rooms where a lot of equipment is stored are not the best places for electrical equipment. Sweat and moisture from horse rugs, tack etc can have a detrimental effect on electricals causing rust and corrosion that will shorten the lifespan of your clipper. Check out more on our previous blog here.
Why indoor storage is essential: Many clipper components are metal, and moisture can cause rust, leading to poor performance or complete failure. Batteries are particularly vulnerable to cold and damp conditions, which can weaken their capacity. Even in a heated tack room, damp rugs and tack can increase humidity and cause long-term damage. Keeping your clippers in a clean, dry space will prevent costly repairs or replacements.
Clipper Servicing And Repairs
Regular servicing ensures your clippers are in top condition when you need them most. If your clippers are due a service, the best time to send them in is during the summer months. Our servicing includes:
- Full disassembly and inspection of all components.
- Air filters and carbon brushes cleaned or replaced if needed.
- Power cables checked for faults or exposed wires.
- Internal hairs removed using compressed air.
- Drive cog greased.
- Comb grommet, blade runners and blade cushions are replaced on A2 models. Laminated springs replaced (older models) and clipper head fully cleaned.
- Blades cleaned, tension reset, and tested on synthetic fur for performance.
- The clipper is PAT tested to ensure it is safe for use.
Essential Clipper Maintenance
By taking the time to clean and store your clippers properly, you’ll avoid unnecessary wear and tear, ensuring they remain in excellent working order for years to come. A little effort now will save you time, frustration, and money when clipping season rolls around again!