Guest Post By: Roy Harper
If you want to be successful grooming your doodle, you need to start with quality tools and you need to invest a few minutes maintaining your tools so they perform reliably and perform well. Fortunately maintaining your clippers & blade is incredibly easy and takes very little time. Here are some tips to make maintenance simple.
Proper maintenance starts on day 1
Invest in a solid pair of clippers designed for dog grooming. While you may have clippers hiding in your linen closet that you use occasionally for trimming your own hair, these are NOT going to give your dog a quality groom. Dogs have thick hair that will quickly burn out the motor on human grade clippers. Invest in professional dog grooming clippers that will go for the long run.
Before you get started, read the directions. Seriously. Read them. This is such a simple step that many (myself included) are inclined to skip right over it. But it’s vital that you read all the instructions that are included with your new dog clippers. You don’t want to get confused with the basics of what to do and how to use them! While you are actively grooming your dog, avoid removing the blade except to replace it with one of a different size.
Basic techniques for maintaining the dog clippers
These are some of the basic techniques of maintaining the dog clippers. If you follow these few simple steps, you can easily maintain the dog clippers and the blades used in the clippers will always be sharpened.
- Sharpen the blade while using your clippers
- Always clean the blade with extra care, especially at the place of blade and comb unit
- Always oil & disinfect the blade, so it will be ready for the next use (more details below)
Cleaning the Blade
If you’ve invested in the best blade, you certain want to clean them after each use to help extend their life. Cleaning clipper blades keeps them in top condition by removing hair buildup and preventing rusting. Don’t worry, cleaning is incredibly simple!
- Fill a small bowl about 1/2″ deep with blade cleaning solution (some solutions may need to be diluted with water)
- Remove the blade from the clippers and wipe off any loose hairs
- Soak the blade in the solution for a few minutes (important: don’t get the cleaning solution on your clippers)
- Remove the blade from the cleaning solution and wipe it dry
You should clean your blades after every use, even if you’re not a professional dog groomer.
Why is oiling blades necessary?
Oiling the blades of dog clippers keeps them running smoothly and extends their useful life. Oiling prevents disasters like rusting, corrosion, dullness, and fur sticking. It also helps keep the blade gliding smoothly through your pet’s hair. If you go for several months without oiling your blade, it may become useless and need to be discarded. Using blade oil is incredibly important!
Take proper care of those clippers so you can take proper care of your furbaby!
If you own a doodle, owning a pair of quality dog clippers isn’t an option- it’s a necessity! It’s important that you invest a few minutes after each grooming session to properly maintain your dog clippers. Taking a little time to clean and oil your blade will help ensure that grooming isn’t a frustrating experience for you or your furry friend.
Guest post by: Roy Harper