How to Clean Dog Grooming Clippers | Keep Blades Sharp

Dirty clippers tug at your dog’s coat, run hot, and spread bacteria between pets. Whether you groom one dog at home or work through several clients a day, the same maintenance routine keeps the blades cutting cleanly for years. The process takes about ten minutes once you know the order: brush, soak, dry, oil, reassemble.

What You Need Before You Start

Gather everything before you touch the clippers. You’ll need the cleaning brush that came with the set (a soft toothbrush works too), a small bowl, blade wash or isopropyl alcohol, a dry cloth or paper towels, and clipper oil.

Andis® Blade Care Plus® is one commonly used blade wash, though any manufacturer-recommended cleaning solution works. Pet-safe disinfectant wipes handle the plastic housing. Skip household cleaners on the metal — they can strip the blade’s coating.

The Step-by-Step Cleaning Routine

Turn the clippers off and unplug them before doing anything else. Water and electricity do not mix, and a spinning blade can catch your fingers during cleaning.

1. Remove the blade. Most detachable blades release with a push or twist of the release lever. Set the blade aside; leave the clipper body on the table.
2. Brush out loose hair. Work the brush through the teeth, along the seams, and into the blade drive area. Hair trapped near the drive mechanism causes overheating and uneven cuts.
3. Soak the metal teeth only. Fill a small bowl with blade wash or isopropyl alcohol. Submerge just the blade teeth — never the plastic housing.
4. Dry completely. Lift the blade out and wipe it with a dry cloth. Pay special attention to the pivot area and between the teeth — moisture left behind rusts the metal within days.
5. Oil the moving parts. Apply one or two drops of clipper oil to the teeth and the pivot point. Wipe away any excess so it doesn’t drip into the motor or attract dust.
6. Reassemble and test. Click the blade back on, plug the clippers in, and run them for a few seconds. A smooth, quiet hum means you’re ready for the next groom.

Compressed air can clear dust from the exterior vents, but it doesn’t replace blade cleaning. Keep the air directed at the vent openings only, never at the motor.

How Often Should You Clean Clippers?

Brush hair off the blades after every single grooming session — this takes thirty seconds and prevents buildup from hardening between uses. Wipe the clippers down between clients, especially if you groom multiple dogs. For weekly use at home, remove the blades and do the full soak once a week.

Heavy use demands more. Groomers working several dogs a day should soak blades daily or whenever cutting feels sluggish. A blade that pulls at the coat instead of slicing through it is telling you it’s dirty, not dull.

Common Mistakes That Ruin Blades

Most clipper damage comes from a few avoidable errors. Never submerge the clipper body, motor, or battery compartment — the liquid destroys electrical components and voids warranties. Always unplug before cleaning, even if you’re just brushing hair off the teeth.

Don’t let blades air-dry on the counter. Rust sets in fast, and a rusted blade tugs at your dog’s coat painfully. The same goes for over-oiling: excess oil drips into the motor and collects hair, creating the exact buildup you’re trying to prevent.

Blade wash soaks have a time limit too. If you’re not sure a disinfectant is safe for grooming tools, stick with blade wash or isopropyl alcohol and follow the label instructions.

If your clippers are beyond saving or you’re upgrading, our roundup of the best dog clippers for home grooming compares corded and cordless models by noise level, battery life, and blade quality.