One of the most important aspects of grooming is keeping your equipment clean and sanitary. In particular, cleaning clipper blades after each dog is essential for maintaining a safe and healthy environment for both the groomer and the dogs. In this guide, we'll cover the importance of cleaning clipper blades and provide tips and best practices for keeping your grooming equipment clean and well-maintained.

How often should you clean your blades? 

When grooming dogs professionally, clipper blades should be cleaned after every dog. This is essential to prevent the spread of bacteria and to maintain a safe and hygienic environment for both the groomer and the dogs. Failure to clean clipper blades regularly can lead to a buildup of hair, dirt, and debris, which can affect the performance of the clippers and potentially cause irritation to the dog being groomed. In addition to cleaning clipper blades after every dog, we also recommend to clean and disinfect your grooming equipment at the end of each day. This includes not only your clippers and blades but also your combs, brushes, and other tools. Regular cleaning and maintenance of your grooming equipment can help to prolong its lifespan and ensure that it is working effectively.

If you are just grooming your own dogs at home, it is still important to clean your clipper blades regularly to maintain their performance and ensure the safety and comfort of your furry friend. While you may not need to clean them as frequently as a professional groomer who is grooming multiple dogs per day, it is still recommended to clean your clipper blades after every use. Regular cleaning can also help to prolong the lifespan of your clippers and blades, saving you money in the long run. As well as this, it is also a good idea to perform regular maintenance and oiling of your clippers to keep them in top condition. This can help to ensure that they continue to work effectively and smoothly over time.

[product=andis-clipper-blade-oil-118ml]
Grooming essential for all clipper and trimmer blades. For use on all brands of blades, and grooming scissors. Always oil before you clip, after applying coolant, and after cleaning. Only store an oiled blade. Lubricates, reduces blade and clipper wear and tear, protects from rust.
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Learn more about Oiling your Blades here.

Why is it important to clean clipper blades? 

Cleaning clipper blades between each dog is extremely important for both sanitary purposes and cross contamination prevention. Cleaning blades involves removing any hair and debris from the blade and then disinfecting it with an appropriate cleaner. This process should be done between each dog, and at the end of each day to ensure that the clippers are clean and safe for use on the next dog.

[product=andis-cool-care-plus-spray-439g]
The Andis Cool Care Plus blade spray is a 5 in 1 formula that serves as a lubricant, disinfectant, coolant, cleaner and rust preventive with a country-fresh scent. Designed to enhance clipping action, reduce friction and help to preserve your blades. Special SureGrip™ sculpted can is easy to hold and the high pressure nozzle sprays hair out of blade teeth with ease. Follow with use of Andis Oil.
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If clipper blades are not cleaned properly, it can lead to a number of issues. The most common risk is the transmission of infectious diseases between dogs. This can include skin infections, parasites, and other contagious conditions that can easily spread through contact with contaminated clippers. This not only puts the dogs being groomed at risk, but it can also lead to the spread of disease among groomers and other animals in the grooming salon. Dirty clipper blades can harbor bacteria that can cause skin infections or exacerbate existing skin conditions. It is crucial to clean clipper blades between each dog to maintain a safe and sanitary grooming environment. By doing so, groomers can ensure that the dogs they work with are healthy and happy, and that the risk of cross-contamination and infection is minimized.

How to clean clipper blades?

For a quick clean in between clients, a spray on disinfectant is ideal for convenience. 

[product=wahl-blade-ice-spray-397g]
Wahl Blade Ice Spray is designed for all brand clippers and trimmers with detachable blades. Cools clipper blades instantly. A coolant, lubricant and cleaner in one.
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[product=andis-blade-care-coolant-cleaner-473ml]
A grooming essential. 7 in 1 spray formula that cools, cleans, disinfects, lubricates & prevents rust. Use for all brands of clipper and trimmer blades. Can also be used to clean and disinfect combs, scissors and other steel grooming tools.
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[product=wahl-clini-clip-250ml]
Wahl Clini-Clip is a ready-to-use disinfectant and cleaner for clipper blades. Designed to effectively disinfect hard, non-porous surfaces such as metal and plastic. It kills bacterial, fungicidal, virucidal and tuberculocidal organisms to keep your clients protected. It will also help to maintain the sharpness of your clipper blades, reducing friction and heat caused by under-lubricated blades. Formulated to be pH neutral, perfume free and alcohol free.
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To use spray on disinfectant: 

Step 1: Turn off your clippers and remove the blade. For help removing your blade, click here. 

Step 2: Hold the blade over a rubbish bin or other disposal container and move the inner cutter half way to one side. Use a blade cleaning brush or an old toothbrush to remove any loose hair, dirt, or debris from the blade. Be careful not to fully remove the cutter from the blade, as doing so may alter the tension. Move the cutter to the other side of the blade, and repeat the process.

Step 3: Attach the blade back onto your clipper and spray the bottle of cleaning spray onto the blade teeth, holding the bottle about 6 inches away.

Step 4: With your blade pointing towards the floor, turn your clippers on. Let the solution run between the blades for 10-15 seconds to allow any stuck debris to work its way out.  

Step 5: Use a clean, dry cloth or a paper towel to wipe the blade clean. Make sure to remove all of the cleaner and any residue from the blade. You can also use a high velocity dryer to blast any remaining liquid from the blade.

Step 6: Once the blade is dry, apply oil and run the clippers again for a few seconds to work the oil through the blade. 

Step 7: Repeat this process for each blade that you used on your previous dog.

For a visual explanation, check out this video featuring the Andis Cool Care Plus Spray: 

 

At the end of each day, or before storing, it's recommended to give all the blades used that day a full, deep clean using a dip-style cleaning solution. 

[product=andis-blade-care-coolant-cleaner-dip-tub-473ml]
The new dip tub version of the best selling Andis Blade Care. Cools, disinfects, cleans, lubricates and helps prevent rust, all in one handy quick-dip jar that effortlessly rinses away hair and product build-up in seconds.
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[product=wahl-blade-x-blade-wash-1-litre]
Wahl Blade X is cleaner, deodoriser, coolant and corrosion preventer all in one that can be used as a blade bath or blade dip. Specifically designed to clean & deodorise clipper blades, scissors & grooming tools. Also helps prevent corrosion by displacing moisture. Can be used as a coolant also, for cooling clipper blades during heavy usage.
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To use a dip-style cleaning solution: