Cleaning your Andis clippers properly is essential for maintaining their performance, extending their lifespan, and ensuring hygienic use. Regular cleaning prevents hair buildup, reduces friction, and keeps your blades sharp and efficient.
How to Clean Andis Clippers?
Keeping your Andis clippers in top condition involves a routine of cleaning after every use, along with periodic deep cleaning and proper oiling. This ensures precision cuts, prevents blade dullness, and maintains optimal motor function.
Daily Maintenance: After Every Haircut
Consistent cleaning after each use is the cornerstone of clipper longevity and hygiene. This quick routine prevents hair and debris from accumulating, which can significantly impact clipper performance, especially for magnetic motor clippers that are particularly sensitive to hair buildup.
- Brush Off Hair: Immediately after completing every haircut, lightly brush all loose hair off the clipper blades and body. Use a small, stiff cleaning brush (often included with clippers) to thoroughly remove trapped hairs from between the teeth and the blade assembly. Pay close attention to the area where the moving blade meets the still blade.
- Wipe Down: Use a clean, dry cloth or a cloth lightly dampened with a clipper disinfectant spray to wipe down the clipper body.
- Check for Buildup: Be mindful that hair buildup can hinder blade movement and stress the motor. Ensure no significant hair remains on or under the blades.
- Initial Oiling (Optional but Recommended): While deep oiling happens less frequently, a quick drop or two of Andis clipper oil on the blades can be beneficial after brushing, especially if you're doing multiple cuts in a day.
Deep Cleaning and Oiling: Weekly or Bi-Weekly
For thorough maintenance, a deeper cleaning process is recommended weekly or bi-weekly, depending on your usage frequency. This goes beyond surface cleaning to address grime and ensure optimal lubrication.
1. Disassemble the Blades
- Unplug the Clipper: Always ensure your clippers are unplugged from any power source before attempting to disassemble them.
- Remove Screws: Most Andis clippers have two small screws securing the blade set to the clipper housing. Use a small screwdriver (often provided or a precision screwdriver) to carefully unscrew and remove the blades. Keep the screws in a safe place.
- Separate Blades: Gently separate the cutting blade from the stationary blade.
2. Clean the Blades and Clipper Body
- Brush Away Debris: Use your cleaning brush to remove any remaining hair, dirt, or debris from both sides of the blades and the inside of the clipper housing where the blades attach.
- Clean with Solution:
- Blade Wash: Dip the separated blades into a specialized clipper blade wash solution. This solution cleans, disinfects, and lubricates blades. Allow them to soak for a few seconds as per product instructions, then remove and wipe dry with a clean cloth.
- Clipper Spray: Alternatively, you can use a 5-in-1 clipper spray (coolant, lubricant, cleaner, disinfectant, rust preventative) directly on the blades. Spray generously and wipe clean.
- For the Clipper Body: Use a slightly damp cloth to wipe down the exterior of the clipper body. Avoid getting water inside the motor housing.
3. Disinfect the Blades
- Sanitize: After cleaning, it's crucial to disinfect the blades, especially if you use them on multiple people. Apply a clipper disinfectant spray to the blades and let it sit for the recommended contact time before wiping dry. This helps eliminate bacteria and viruses.
4. Oil the Blades
- Crucial for Performance: Oiling is vital for reducing friction, preventing rust, and maintaining blade sharpness. Magnetic motor clippers, in particular, require sufficient oil to operate smoothly. Not enough oil can lead to blades dragging, overheating, and premature wear.
- Application: Apply 2-3 drops of Andis clipper oil across the teeth of the blades. Then, apply 1 drop on each side of the blade at the heel (where the moving blade meets the still blade).
- Run Briefly: Reattach the blades to the clipper, screw them back on (ensure they are aligned correctly), and turn the clipper on for about 10-15 seconds to distribute the oil evenly. Then, turn it off and wipe off any excess oil with a clean cloth.
Essential Cleaning Tools
Having the right tools makes clipper maintenance much easier and more effective.
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Clipper Cleaning Brush | Removes loose hair from blades and housing. |
| Small Screwdriver | For removing and reattaching clipper blades. |
| Andis Clipper Oil | Lubricates blades, reduces friction, prevents rust. |
| Clipper Blade Wash | Deep cleans, lubricates, and disinfects blades. |
| 5-in-1 Clipper Spray | Cools, lubricates, cleans, disinfects, prevents rust. |
| Clean Cloth/Towel | Wiping excess oil, cleaning the clipper body. |
| Disinfectant Spray | Sanitizes blades (if not using a 5-in-1 spray). |
Practical Tips for Andis Clipper Care
- Store Properly: Always store your clippers in a clean, dry place, ideally in a protective case, to prevent dust and damage.
- Avoid Water Immersion: Never immerse your electric clippers in water, as this can damage the motor and electrical components.
- Check Blade Alignment: After reattaching blades, ensure they are properly aligned. Misaligned blades can pull hair or cause uneven cuts. Refer to your Andis clipper's manual for specific alignment instructions.
- Listen to Your Clippers: A sudden change in sound (e.g., louder hum, grinding noise) often indicates a need for cleaning, oiling, or blade adjustment.
- Blade Sharpening/Replacement: Even with meticulous cleaning, blades will eventually dull. Consider professional sharpening or replace dull blades when they no longer cut effectively.
By following these detailed steps, you can ensure your Andis clippers remain a reliable and high-performing tool for many years. Regular cleaning and oiling are not just about hygiene; they are about maintaining the precision and efficiency that Andis clippers are known for.
