How to oil a beard trimmer

A small cleaning brush usually comes included with a beard trimmer, but if for some reason it does not, an unused toothbrush will work perfectly fine. The main purpose for the brush is to remove any hair that might still be in the blade or caught in the trimmer.

Lubricating oil is obviously the main item needed to oil a beard trimmer, so it’s important to make sure the oil you’re using is the right one for the job. Most trimmers, especially trimmers by Wahl, Remington, and other popular grooming brands, include a small bottle of oil. Although, this little bottle of trimmer oil doesn’t last forever and a replacement bottles are usually difficult to find in stores, but can easily be found online.

Alternative: If you are in immediate need of an oil, there are alternatives you can safely use that you probably already have in your household. The best alternative to trimmer oil is any lightweight oil, such as olive oil or vegetable oil (not extra virgin), that has a high smoke point.

Any light oils that are particularly made for small machinery will work as well. On the other hand, you should NOT use any oil made for heavy machinery such as motor oil, petroleum jelly, or door hinge greases. These types of thick oils might ruin your beard trimmer.

Last but not least, you will need a beard trimmer. However, this tutorial can be performed on hair clippers as well.

Sometimes part of the problem to why a beard trimmer might not be running as efficiently as before is because there is hair built up in the device from previous uses. That’s why it’s important to begin with a clean slate before adding oil to the trimmer.

Use the cleaning brush included with your trimmer or a clean toothbrush to brush out any hair in the trimmer where the blade sits. Once you remove the extra hair from your trimmer, it’s a good idea to turn it on for a few seconds to loosen up any other hair still stuck in the blades.

If there is still hair remaining in the trimmer, repeat the steps until your trimmer is completely clear from any hair. Whatever you do, never run your trimmer under water as this will likely break it or cause the blades to rust, unless you know for certain that it is waterproof.

It’s possible to oil the trimmer with the blade on and the device running by adding a few drops into the blades, but only do so if you’re confident that you won’t cut your fingers in the process.

Otherwise, turn your trimmer off and remove the blade. Then, slide a small amount of the oil back and forth on the blade until it is evenly coated. When it comes to oiling your beard trimmer, all you need is a small amount (no more than one or two drops).

Applying too much oil can actually reverse your intentions and cause the trimmer to rattle all over again. After you apply the oil, clip the blade back onto your trimmer and run it for about 20 seconds so that the oil penetrates the blade and all parts inside the trimmer.

Finally, after it’s fully lubricated, use a cloth or towel to wipe off any excess oil you find on the outside of the trimmer. This is important so that your grip doesn’t slip the next time you use it.