Keeping It Clean: How to Care for Barber Clippers, Shears, and Trimmers
By Alyssa Cink
Hair clippers maintenance and barber cleaning supplies may not seem like topics for a barber to “mullet” over. Insurance claims from dirty barber clippers don’t happen that often…do they?
Unfortunately, clipper care claims do plague the barbering field. It happened in 2017, a mother rushed her seven-year-old son to a hospital after visiting a local barbershop.
At first, the child’s scalp was red and irritated, reported Dana Griffin for KCRA 3 News.But as the days passed, it became itchy, then bloody, then full of pus bubbles. The boy had a painful infection known as folliculitis. His mother complained to their state’s Board of Barbering and Cosmetology and accused the barber of using unclean barber tools and equipment.
Lack of clean and sterilized tools can cause more than folliculitis. Scalp ringworm, impetigo sores, lice, tetanus, and even the spread of blood borne viral infections are possible, too.
Improper sterilization can also cause dulled blades, meaning more frequent deterioration and replacement of expensive tools–not to mention potential nicks and cuts.In fact, clients can still accuse you of unsanitary practices even if you aren’t at fault.
Truthful or bogus, accusations of a so-called “dirty” barbershop can tarnish a barber’s reputation—sometimes beyond repair.To keep your barbering business safe, we’re reviewing how to clean and care for barber clippers, shears, and trimmers.
How to Clean Barbering Instruments and Protect Your Business
Knowing how to properly clean your equipment protects youand your clients from infection and contamination. It also keeps your tools in top shape for longer, which saves you money. Moreover, it keeps you compliant with your local laws and regulations and boosts your professionalism. Nonetheless, proper maintenance isn’t always public knowledge. Let’s explore some common questions
1. How often should you clean and maintain your barber tools?
Sanitizing, disinfecting, cleaning, and oiling barber tools should happen between EVERY client. Naturally, if you drop an instrument on the ground, that’s also a good time to clean it.Meanwhile, experts suggest doing a deeper, more intense clean once a week on top of those regular cleanings. What about sharpening? Sharpening every six months is a good rule of thumb, but testthe tension often to check for necessary touch-ups.
2. What do barbers use to clean and disinfect their tools?
Cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting are different steps that require different products. While soap and water help you clean, Barbicide immersion, sprays, and wipes are what sterilize and disinfect. Once your clippers are sanitized, you can use compressed air to remove extra clogged debris and a lightweight, heat-resistant clipper oil to keep the tools lubricated. Meanwhile, wear gloves while you clean to protect your skin from harsh chemicals.
3. What’s the best way to clean and sterilize barbering tools?
To clean and care for most of your tools, follow these simple steps:
- Wash: To prevent infections, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend cleaning surfaces and tools before sanitizing or disinfecting. So first, clean your equipment with soap and water to remove debris.
- Immerse or Spray: Next, fully immerse them in Barbicide for 10 minutes. Remove all cleantools before replacing them with dirty ones, to avoid contaminating the clean ones. Can’t immerse? Spray disinfectant and let it sit for 10 minutes before wiping it off.
- Oil: After your clippers and trimmers are dry, apply a few drops of oil across the teeth of the blade and one at the back of each rail. Oil daily or even after each use.
- Store: Keep your clean tools in a clean container. Store dirty equipment separately.Most importantly, learn how to properly clean barber equipment per your local and state barber shop sanitation regulations.
Keep your hands clean with WellnessPro. Even if you keep your tools clean, clients can still have a bad experience and make accusations against your barbering business. They may say you “ruined” their hair. They may blame you for their allergic reaction. Or they might slip and fall in your barbershop and send you the bill.
As you focus on keeping your tools clean, let us keep your hands clean by handling insurance claims against your business. With barbering policies as inexpensive as $159 a year, you can have peace of mind and protection in one clean sweep.