15 juli 2026
Clipper Maintenance: Cleaning, Oiling, and Blade Sharpening
Short answer: Maintain a dog clipper at three points in time. During clipping, brush away hair every 5 to 10 minutes and oil the teeth. After each use, remove the Blade, clean, dry, and oil it. Monthly, check the air intake and contact points. Oiling is the most important step.
Most clippers that are considered "broken" are not actually broken. They are dry, full of hair, or have a dull Blade. Below is the complete maintenance protocol with frequencies, a maintenance schedule, and a troubleshooting table.
Last updated: August 19, 2026 · Author: Clipr Team, the team behind Clipr.nl that daily supplies dog clippers, Blades, and parts to home groomers and grooming salons in the Netherlands.
In Short
- Oiling is the most important action: a few drops on the teeth every 5 to 10 minutes of clipping time.
- Use only thin clipper oil. No WD-40, no cooking oil, no baby oil.
- After each clipping session: remove the Blade, remove hair, clean, dry, oil, store.
- An A5 Blade can usually be sharpened 2 to 4 times; after that, replace it.
- Do not store a cordless clipper permanently on the charger or completely discharged.
Why is oiling the most important maintenance?
A Blade consists of two knives: a stationary bottom Blade and a top Blade that moves over it at high speed. Oil performs three functions simultaneously.
- It separates the Blades, so metal does not run directly on metal.
- It dissipates heat. An oiled Blade stays noticeably cooler, and heat is the reason dogs start to protest.
- It prevents wear. A dry Blade loses its sharpness within a few uses.
Where exactly do you oil?
Turn off the clipper. Apply a few drops in three places: on the teeth on the left, on the teeth on the right, and on the gliding surfaces where the top Blade moves over the bottom Blade. Turn the machine on for 5 to 10 seconds so the oil distributes, and wipe off any excess. Too much oil attracts hair and leaves greasy streaks.
Which oil can and cannot be used?
Only use thin, clear clipper oil, such as you find with grooming products. It is intentionally thin so it can penetrate between the Blades and not become sticky.
What not to use:
- WD-40: a penetrating oil and solvent, not a lubricant. It actually washes away lubrication.
- Cooking oil or olive oil: becomes sticky and will smell rancid.
- Baby oil: too thick, stays on the teeth, and collects hair.
What do you do during clipping?
Interrupt the session every 5 to 10 minutes. This takes twenty seconds and saves a dull Blade.
- Turn off the clipper and brush away hair from between the teeth.
- Feel the Blade with the back of your hand. If it's warm, switch to a second Blade or pause.
- Apply a few drops of oil to the teeth and gliding surfaces.
- Run the machine briefly and wipe off any excess.
If you work with a Clipr Ultimate, you have two batteries and don't have to wait for one to charge. The Blade then remains the component you keep an eye on. How to structure the grooming session itself is described in the step-by-step guide to clipping your dog.
How do you clean a clipper after each use?
Do this immediately after the session. Hair and skin oils dry and form a hard layer.
- Remove the Blade. Click the Blade off the machine so you can access everything.
- Remove hair from the machine. Blow or brush hair out of the housing and the Blade opening. Compressed air in short bursts works well; hold the can upright.
- Clean the Blade. Use cleaning spray or a Blade wash bath where you let the teeth run for a few seconds. Never immerse the machine itself in liquid.
- Dry. Dry the Blade thoroughly. A wet Blade will rust within a day.
- Oil. A few drops on the teeth and gliding surfaces, run briefly, wipe off excess.
- Store. Dry and dust-free, in a case.
Cleaning spray, oil, brushes, and cases can be found under grooming products and accessories.
What do you do weekly and monthly?
- Air intake (weekly). Dust and hair in front of the air opening cause the motor to run hotter. Brush or blow the slots clear.
- Contact points (monthly). For a cordless machine, wipe the charging contacts of the machine and charger clean with a dry cloth. Dirty contacts result in incomplete charges.
- Check for play (monthly). Click the Blade on and move it back and forth. If it feels loose or you hear rattling, check the hinge or spring under parts.
- Wash attachment combs (monthly). Wash them in lukewarm soapy water, rinse, and let them dry completely before putting them back.
How to maintain the battery?
- Do not leave the machine permanently on the charger.
- Do not store it completely discharged; deep discharge reduces capacity.
- For storage longer than a month, store it approximately half charged and recharge every few months.
- Store in a cool, dry place, never in the freezing cold of a shed or car.
- Charge at room temperature, not immediately after use if the machine is still warm.
Maintenance Schedule at a Glance
| Action | Frequency | Time | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brush away hair + oil | Every 5-10 min clipping | 20 sec | Prevents heat and wear |
| Clean Blade + dry + oil | After each use | 3-5 min | Prevents rust and buildup |
| Clear air intake | Weekly | 1 min | Prevents overheating |
| Wash attachment combs | Monthly | 5 min | Prevents pulling and dirt transfer |
| Clean charging contacts | Monthly | 1 min | Ensures full charges |
| Check play and hinge | Monthly | 2 min | Detects early wear |
| Have Blade sharpened | After 8-15 uses or when pulling | Send in | Restores cutting performance |
| Store battery half charged | For storage > 1 month | 1 min | Preserves capacity |
When to sharpen Blades and when to replace them?
Sharpening is worthwhile for Blades that are otherwise in good condition: no missing teeth, no rust spots, no bending. A sharpening service disassembles the Blade and grinds the top and bottom Blades flat on a surface grinder, after which it is reassembled and adjusted. Precision work down to hundredths of a millimeter.
An A5 Blade, the universal interchangeable Blade that fits almost all professional dog clippers, can usually be sharpened 2 to 4 times. Material is removed with each sharpening, so at some point, the teeth become too thin or too short, and replacement is more cost-effective. New Blades can be found under Blades; when replacement is smarter than sharpening is explained in the article on replacing Blades.
Sharpening yourself with sandpaper or a sharpening stone is a bad idea. The cutting performance does not come from sharp points, but from two perfectly flat surfaces running over each other. You will never achieve that evenly by hand: you will make the Blade convex or concave, after which it will pull instead of cut.
How do you store a clipper?
Store the machine dry and dust-free, preferably in a case with compartments for Blades and attachment combs. Do not place Blades loosely on top of each other in a drawer: the teeth will damage each other. Oil the Blade before storage. The same applies to transport: no frost, no direct sun behind the windshield.
Common Mistakes and What Goes Wrong
| Complaint | Most common cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Machine gets hot | Dry Blade or clogged air intake | Oil, blow clear air vents, pause |
| Machine makes more noise than usual | Hair in housing or play in hinge/spring | Blow out, check Blade, replace part |
| Clipper pulls hair | Dull or dirty Blade, or coat is wet/matted | Clean and oil, have Blade sharpened or replace |
| Blade does not click into place | Hair or dirt on attachment, bent click spring | Clean attachment, check click spring |
| Battery drains quickly | Stored deeply discharged, dirty charging contacts, motor runs heavily | Clean contacts, oil Blade, adjust charging habits |
If the machine remains hot or noisy after cleaning and oiling, stop clipping. Continuing with a warm Blade causes skin irritation for the dog and accelerates motor wear.
How to Complete Your Maintenance Kit
Maintenance takes little time as long as you have the right supplies: oil, cleaning spray, a brush, and a spare Blade. Check out the grooming products, or use the selection guide if you are unsure which machine and Blade suit your dog. Just starting? Then also read the complete guide to clipping and trimming your dog yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should you oil a dog clipper?
Oil the Blade every 5 to 10 minutes during clipping and once more afterwards, before storing the machine. A few drops on the teeth left and right and on the gliding surfaces are enough. Run the machine briefly and wipe off any excess.
Can you use WD-40 on a dog clipper?
No. WD-40 is a penetrating oil and solvent, not a lubricant: it washes away existing lubrication and then causes the Blades to run dry. Use only thin clipper oil specifically made for Blades. Cooking oil, olive oil, and baby oil are unsuitable for the same reasons.
How often can a Blade be sharpened?
An A5 Blade can usually be sharpened 2 to 4 times by a specialized company with a surface grinder. Material is removed with each sharpening, so after that, the teeth are too short or too thin, and a new Blade is more sensible. Missing teeth or rust spots mean immediate replacement.
Why does my clipper get so hot?
Heat almost always comes from a dry or dirty Blade, or from an air intake clogged with hair. Turn off the machine, brush the teeth clean, oil them, and blow clear the ventilation slots. If the Blade remains warm, switch to a second Blade and let the first one cool down.
