Spring is finally here, which can only mean one thing… spring cleaning! Whether you have finished clipping for the season or need to keep on top of maintenance, take the 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, whilst damp can cause corrosion to the internal clipper components.
Well-maintained, clean clippers ensures a safe, smooth and stress-free clipping experience and preserves the lifespan of your equipment, so don't overlook this important part of clipper care. Follow our step-by-step guide to keep your clippers in top condition so they are primed and ready to keep your horse comfortable and looking smart whenever you need them.
Step 1 - Cleaning And Storing Your Clipper Blades
To keep your clipper blades performing at their best, it’s essential to clean them after each use. Hair, dirt and grease can quickly build up on the surface of the blades, causing dullness, overheating and even rusting.
Dirty blades can harbour bacteria and fungi, increasing the risk of skin infections or irritation for your horse. Cleaning not only extends the lifespan of your blades but also ensures a smooth finish and efficient clipping experience every time.
How To Clean Your Clipper Blades
- Remove the blades from the clipper by undoing the tension to release the blades. (For older models,follow this by undoing the blade screws.) For A5 clippers, the blades simply snap off the handset by pressing and holding the release button under the blade.
- Brush away clipped hair from each part of the blade, paying attention to the teeth on the comb and cutter using the supplied clipper cleaning brush. An old toothbrush works well too! Then wipe away dirt or grease with a soft cloth. Our Andis 5-in-1 spray is great for loosening congealed grime on dirty blades. Alternatively you can use specialist blade wash but never dip your clipper blades in water or use other lubricants such as WD40, as these can rust them or leave a sticky residue on the blades.
- Don't forget to brush over all parts of the tension set too!
- For A5 blades, brush over the entire blade and move the cutter to the side halfway along the back blade to clear away trapped hair from the cutting surfaces. However, don't undo the screws to take them apart as they are pre-tensioned and can very tricky to assemble them with the right tension. Watch our YouTube guide below.
- Check over each blade for missing teeth, rust or excessive wear. Broken blades risk cutting your horse's skin and increase causing infection so be sure to recycle damaged blades and replace as necessary.
- Send dull blades off for sharpening earlier in the year rather than waiting for the autumn rush. Blade sharpening and clipper servicing turn around times will be much faster in the warmer months! Shear Ease Ltd offer an expert sharpening service with free postage.
- Once the blades are clean, give them a light coating of clipper oil or Andis 5-in-1 spray to prevent rusting. Then store them wrapped in a clean cloth or grease proof paper in an airtight plastic storage box or their original Masterclip blister packs to keep them dry. Save those plastic takeaway boxes! - these are ideal for storing blades and make great leak proof boxes for clipper oil too.
- Blades can be left on the handset with the tension very loose, but avoid leaving your clipper blades attached to the clipper for long periods of time - especially with the tension tightened as this can shorten the lifespan of the tension spring.
For detailed blade maintenance and cleaning tutorials for your clipper model and blades, check out our YouTube channel here.
Step 2 - Cleaning The 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, brush away trapped hair from inside the clipper head. Air dusters (cans of pressurised air for cleaning computers) are superb for blowing out clippings from all the nooks and crannies!
- If your clipper has removable filters, slide them out or undo the screws to clean them with the supplied cleaning brush and check for damage to the fine mesh. Broken filters allow excessive amounts of hair to get caught inside the handset, leading to overheating. Damaged filters can easily be replaced and are available on our website here.
- The power cable can get particularly dirty and smelly if it gets into contact with the stable floor. Wipe down the power lead with some disinfectant cleaning wipes and dry with a soft cloth. Never submerge your cable in water. Check along the length of the cord for splits or exposed wires and send your clippers off for repair if the cable shows any signs of wear. Shod horses that tread on the cable can cause even the smallest nick in the wire so always use your mains powered clipper with an RCD to keep you and your horse safe and inspect the cable frequently. Watch here.
- Check and carefully wipe over the batteries with a dry soft cloth. Ideally, run each battery down before storing for a longer term.
- Lastly, No matter how regularly you clean your heavy duty clipper, some clipped hair will inevitably find it's way inside the body of the handset which can only be cleaned out properly during a service. We recommend sending your clipper for servicing every 1-2 years depending on their workload. This will ensure that the motor and internal components are thoroughly cleaned out so that air can circulate and keep your clipper cool. Servicing also allows for worn parts to be replaced before problems occur and that your electrical clippers are regularly safety tested.
TOPTIP: If your clipper is due, send your handset for a service so that are ready well in advance for the next busy clipping season to avoid the Autumn rush.
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 the case of hair, spilt oil and dirt to make sure that the previous work is not undone. Keep your clippers in a safe place away from the reach of children and pets. Our heavy duty clippers come with lockable carry cases for extra security.
- 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 placing them back into the case to prevent moisture 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. Outbuildings and even heated tack rooms where a lot of equipment is stored are not the best places for electrical tools. Cold, damp environments can have a detrimental effect on electricals that will shorten the lifespan of your valuable clipper.
Why indoor storage is essential:
Many clipper components are made of 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 for servicing, the best time to send them in is during the summer months. Our heavy duty clipper servicing at our dedicated Leicestershire workshop includes:
- Full disassembly and inspection of all the clipper 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 clipping performance is tested on synthetic fur.
- The clipper is PAT tested to ensure it is safe for use.
For prices and information to book your Masterclip clipper in for a service or repair with us, click the link below.
Clean Clippers And Good Maintenance For Longevity
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!
Take a look at our blog for more clipping and clipper maintenance tips. Have a query about our clippers or need to send in your clipper for a service? Contact our friendly and knowledgeable team today.
