Care Tips for Dog Grooming Shears

Whether you're a professional dog groomer or just someone who regularly grooms your dog(s), there are several elements involving your grooming shears that will be important. One of these is selecting the proper shears for your needs, but another that's often just as important is carrying out the right kinds of maintenance and care so your shears are always in good shape. 

At Scissor Mall, we're proud to offer a wide range of dog grooming shears, including everything from chunking shear options like the Dirty Dog Black 23 Teeth Chunker to straight grooming shears, curved grooming shears and numerous other options. We're also happy to provide our clients with tips and expertise on how to care for their shears and keep them in great working order at all times. Here are a few of the top recommendations we can offer.

Regular Cleaning

The first major task you have as the owner of dog grooming shears is cleaning them on a regular basis. This is the single area that goes the longest way toward prolonging the life of your shears - and it's also an easy job to do.

Simply use a mild soap or detergent to clean the blades and then dry them off thoroughly before putting them away. Ideally, this should be done in between each grooming session - this is especially true for professional groomers, who want to ensure there's no risk of debris or chemicals transferring to the next dog they groom.

Even if you don't do it that often, such as if you only use grooming shears infrequently for your own dog(s), just remember to give your shears a thorough cleaning at least once per week. This will ensure they're free of dander, hair and any other particles that might cause them to get stuck or lose effectiveness as time goes on.

Keep Them Dry

Both following cleaning and during other situations, it's vital to ensure your grooming shears stay as dry and moisture-free as possible. Most people who own a pair of dog grooming shears know that it's not a good idea to use them while the blades are still wet - but this principle definitely applies after cleaning too.

Moisture can cause metal surfaces to rust, which will quickly destroy the effectiveness of your grooming shears. This is why it's best to store them in a place where they can be left out and exposed to the open air, so moisture has no chance to accumulate.

Keep Dog Grooming Shears Oiled

Dogs carry much more bacteria and moisture than humans do, meaning dog grooming shears will pick up a greater deal of these contaminants as a result. It's also why you'll need to make sure your shears are oiled more regularly than their human counterparts.

This is especially true if you use your grooming shears often on dog breeds with short coats, since the oil will help protect them from corrosion and maintain proper functionality throughout their lifetime.

It's vital to lubricate your shears not only in the blade itself, but also in the pivot. The pivot must remain lubricated so it always moves smoothly and without becoming stuck. If your grooming shears do get stuck because the pivot is dry, this could result in damage to their internal mechanisms that will lead to a much shorter lifespan for them.

Check on Shear Tension

The level of tension you should be maintaining for your grooming shears depends on a few factors, including the type(s) of dogs you groom regularly, the hair lengths you're typically working with and your own personal preferences. That said, it's a good idea to check the tension at least once every few months to make sure it's still in the right range.

If you find that the tension needs to be adjusted, take your shears to a professional technician who will be able to help -- unless you've been trained in these techniques, of course. If you haven't, however, attempting this maintenance yourself could result in damage to your grooming shears.

Regular Sharpening

Just like human hair shears, dog grooming shears will dull over time with regular use. As you gain experience with them, it's important to learn how often your shears need sharpening - which is typically at least once per year.

A reputable dog-grooming supply company or professional groomer may be able to do this for you if they're part of your local community. If not, you might be able to find a technician elsewhere who specializes in grooming shears - although again, if you're not trained it's best to leave this task up to the experts.

Proper Grooming Shear Storage

First and foremost, all grooming shears (and other forms of shears, while we're at it) should be fully closed before being stored. This is to prevent any kind of accidental snipping, as well as to protect the blades from becoming dull.

Ideally, you should also store your grooming shears in a case or some other type of protective covering when they're not in use. Again, this will help keep them safe from moisture and other contaminants that could shorten their lifespan. In addition, many regular groomers will place a dry towel or sheet over the shears when storing them overnight to absorb any moisture that might have been picked up from the grooming process.

From changing the tension on your grooming shears to sharpening them, there are several elements of maintenance and care that will help you get a longer life out of your pair. Some may even reduce the need for professional service or repairs. For more on this, or to learn about any of our high-quality grooming shears, speak to the pros at Scissor Mall today.