How To Oil Your Trimmer As A Complete Beginner

As a bearded man, you should understand the importance of having a reliable trimmer for proper beard grooming.

You take your time when choosing one. You read reviews telling you how durable a brand was before buying it. However, your trimmer is not living up to its hype!

Did you know maintenance determines how long-lasting your product is?

Oiling your trimmer plays a significant role in its functionality. In short, here is how to oil your trimmer step by step:

• Clean your trimmer. You can even wash it if it is waterproof. Dry it well and clean it with its brush.
• Keep your trimmer downwards.
• Start the trimmer and then apply 2-3 drops of oil on the blades. Don’t overdo it.
• Let it work up to 1 minute.
• Switch your trimmer off.
• Clean excess oil

That’s really it. I know this may sound very simple but we have all these steps discussed and many questions answered.

Let’s get started!

Why Do Most Beard Trimmers Need Oil?

The answer is simple, friction! When two hard surfaces rub against each other, it causes friction—the blades on your trimmer grate against each other as they work.

This action causes heat production, which leads to overheating if you don’t temper it. A hot blade would burn your skin while trimming. This is why you need to oil your trimmer at intervals. 

More so, the blades rust from wear and tear. Your trimmer’s work efficiency reduces over time, causing it to miss fine hairs and get clumps of hair stuck in it. 

Eventually, the trimmer breaks down earlier than expected. Many people waste money buying new trimmers every other day. They forget that making the same mistakes give the same results.

The solution is not to replace your trimmer every time it acts up. A simple maintenance procedure would save you a lot of money! Find out what’s wrong, then fix it.

You want your blade to pass seamlessly through thick hair without hurting you. That is the secret to the durability manufacturers promise you! Periodically oiling your trimmer is a suitable maintenance method.

Which Oil Is The Best One?

Any trimmer worth its salt comes with a small bottle of oil. Manufacturers know the impact of lubricating the blades of a trimmer. This is why top-ranking ones have accompanying bottles of oil in their packages. 

It’s best to buy your trimmer from a trusted manufacturer. Amazon sells a wide range of quality trimmers. From Wahl to Philips, you can read the full description on their site. 

Maybe your trimmer did come with oil, but you lost it; don’t panic! You can buy a bottle separately on Amazon or any other store. 

Read the fine print in the manual before you buy a new bottle of oil. Make sure your trimmer’s brand is not particular about the type of oil you use. Reading prevents you from sabotaging any possible warranty claims. 

If you ask me, the best oil for a trimmer is its own oil.

Alternative Oils You Can Use

Trimmer oil may not always be within reach. For instance, what do you use when your oil finishes and you can’t get a new one stat?

Not extra virgin olive oil! Using vegetable oil, olive oil, coconut oil or, beard oil can be tempting. These oils are heavy. They’re good for your hair, so why not your trimmer? 

Using heavy oil to lubricate your trimmer is counterproductive. It gives the same result, or worse, as using the required oil in excess. Don’t use engine oil or WD40 either – they’ll damage your clipper faster than you can say, Jack Robinson. 

Trimmer oils are thin so, they do the job without clumping up. The best alternative for this is Baby oil. It’s lightweight and would flow easily into the blades. 

You can also use olive oil – not an extra virgin! 

When Should You Oil Your Trimmer

What are the signs to look out for? How do you know when to oil your trimmer? 

The rule of thumb is to add two to three drops before each use.

The first indicator that your trimmer needs oiling is loud blade noise. The moment your razor makes a grating sound when you turn it on, it’s time. Also, when you notice overheating, switch off your trimmer and oil it.

Another indicator that your trimmer needs oiling is function. If it cuts roughly and skips fine hair, it’s time to lubricate. It’s best not to wait till the last minute before maintenance. Make it a habit to lubricate your trimmer at measured intervals.

Read your trimmer’s manual instructions on maintenance. Look out for warranty clauses so you don’t lose out. Some manufacturers insist you only use their products.

Read Also: Why Do Beard Trimmers Pull Hair?

For instance, Wahl trimmers have an accompanying oil. The company expects customers to use the Wahl oil only for lubrication. 

How To Oil Your Beard Trimmer

Follow these three simple steps to see an improvement in your trimmer’s work. All you need are;

• Trimmer oil
• A soft brush (a toothbrush is a good alternative)
• Hygienic spray
• Soft cloth

Step 1: Clean Your Trimmer

Before oiling your trimmer, clean the blades. Use a soft brush to dust off any hair caught in the razor. If your blade is detachable, it’s best to remove it at this point. Once you’re sure it’s squeaky clean, you may reattach the blade to the control. Spray hygiene liquid on the teeth to kill bacteria. 

Tip: Trimmer oils have anti-bacteria in them, which is why they’re the best option. 

Read Also: How To Clean Grooming Products: Beard Brush, Roller, Straightener

 

Step 2: Oiling Your Trimmer

Turn the trimmer face down, then add one to three drops of oil. Let it seep in for 10-20 seconds, then switch it on. As the blades whir together, the oil gets into each razor line. 

Turn the switch off after a minute, then clean off any excess oil with a soft cloth. You can use a brush instead if you prefer. Why do you do this? 

Too much of anything is wrong. Oiling is good but using it in excess – more than three drops often – is damaging. It’ll form clumps and ruin the razor. 

There’s a reason trimmer oils come in small-sized bottles. You have to be stingy in your application. A tiny drop would go a long way. 

 

Step 3: Clean Excess Oil

Use a soft cloth or brush to clean excess oil from the blades. Gently swipe across it and make sure you get it all off. You don’t want the oil to seep into the motor.

Too much oil would affect the performance of the trimmer. The worst case is that it damages the motor. Clean the excess, and your trimmer is ready to use. 

How Often Should You Oil Your Trimmer?

Earlier on in this article, you read the words “periodically,” “excess,” and “less.” Lubricating your clipper blades should be in measured drops. A single drop once a month would suffice for personal trimmers. 

This is because you don’t use it often. The rule doesn’t apply for commercial trimmers, though. Barbers can oil theirs once a day because they use it often. 

Suppose your trimmer lays dormant for an extended period; oil it before uses. Even if you’re not using it, lubricate it once a month to keep it from rusting. 

Trimmers That Do Not Need Oil

Oiling maintenance can be a chore which is why manufacturers designed non-oil trimmers.

These new designs sell like hot cakes on the market. People are drawn to the idea of a self-cleaning trimmer. Who doesn’t like a stress-free alternative! The most popular non-oil trimmer is the Philips Norelco Multigroom series – from 3000 to 9000. 

In this article, we’ll review the Norelco Multigroom 5000 and 7000 which are the most important and recognizable trimmers that do not need oil.

 

Philips Norelco Multigroom 5000

This trimmer has alloy steel blades that don’t overheat when they brush against each other.

This means it has two times more razors than the regular trimmer. It’s a great feature considering it uses dual-cut technology. It has reinforced guards that keep it from breaking. You don’t have to worry about hair catching in the blades.

They are detachable so that you can remove excess hair without a fuss. 

The blades are water-resistant; you can clean them by rinsing them underwater. The package has a cleaning brush as part of its maintenance kit. The razors don’t rust, and they have a 2-year full warranty. 

 

Philips Norelco multigroom 7000

The Norelco Multigroom 7000 uses dual-cut technology with 2x more blades. The razors are self-sharpening and made from steel. The blades cut through thick hair seamlessly.

They are water-compatible, making them non-corrosive. You can say goodbye to rust! Norelco 7000 has several attachments designed to clean unique areas of the body. You’re guaranteed a smooth shave without nicks or cuts. 

The trimmer has two years guarantee that the blades would stay as sharp as the first day. The motor has a tempered steel reinforcement that prevents overheating. 

It also has two years warranty and 45 days test period. 

The upgraded blades are such that they don’t need oiling. They don’t make loud noises when they whir. They won’t rust no matter the length of time you keep them. 

The Philips Norelco series have self-cleaning blades, which make maintenance easy. You only need to rinse it under a tap in less than 3 minutes. 

You can also read our full review on Norelco Multigroom 7000 here.

Conclusion

Before you replace your beard trimmer, confirm that simple maintenance would not revive it. Include oiling in your grooming routine for smooth cuts. The steps are straightforward;

• Clean
• Oil
• Clean again

If you can afford to, buy a non-oil trimmer. It’s sophisticated and easy to maintain. Browse through Amazon to read reviews and compare products. 

Oil your beard trimmer today and save money!

If you have any questions or you just wanna share your thoughts feel free to let us know in the comment section below!

Until next time,

Stay safe,

Tasos