How to Maintain Your Beard Trimmer In 3 Steps, According to a Master Barber

WHETHER YOU ROCK some stubble or a full-blown beard, there are a few things that tie all facial-haired men together, like the view of an ever-growing arsenal of beard products cluttering our bathroom counter, the feel of itchiness once the temps start to drop, or the nuisance of unwavering widespread adoration of all those around us who yearn for such a masculine and timeless physical accessory (just nod, we need this).

But among these shared experiences, there is one that looms large and is often misunderstood: the responsibility around how to care for our beard trimmers. We’ve all been there where we neglected proper maintenance, which led to an underperforming trimmer and us simply buying a new device to avoid the shame of learning how to appropriately care for it (just me?).

Of course, I’ve come a long way in this journey after learning what I was sacrificing in favor of my indifference (read: laziness). Not only can proper device care extend the lifespan of your beard trimmer, but it’s also roughly a trillion times more hygienic. Every barber we spoke to for this story confirmed that you should be cleaning your beard trimmer, in some fashion, after every use. This will help prevent bacteria from building up on the blades that can lead to skin irritation and even acne after your next use. Not to mention, keeping up on maintenance will also help the trimmer’s performance overall.

So the next time you trim your beard, take a few minutes after (truly, this entire process barely takes five minutes) and follow these steps—you’ll thank us in six months when your device still runs like new and your skin’s no longer on fire.

Step One: Go On Brush Your Trimmers Off

Removing any lingering hair on the blades is the most bare-boned prerequisite to maintaining your beard trimmer, as Robert-Jan Rietveld, a Denver-based barber and Grooming Educator at Reuzel, explains. “To maintain the longevity of a beard trimmer, I recommend brushing off hair clippings after every use,” he says.

Not only is this the most important step, but’s also the easiest to accomplish. All you need is a brush, and many beard trimmers already come with a perfectly serviceable one to use. “After every use, I would remove hair buildup on the blade with a nail brush or the little brush that comes with your beard trimmer,” says Jasmine Diederichs, a barber at Church Barber in San Francisco. That’s right, that tiny brush that came with your trimmer actually serves a real purpose beyond muttering “What is this, a brush for ants?” to yourself in an impressively solid Zoolander accent when you first opened it.

After trimming, remove the guard or comb and simply take one of these tiny tools and gently swipe the blades until any loose hairs dissipate. If possible, then detach the blades to wipe away any lingering hairs within, as well. If your trimmer is waterproof, you’ll also want to run it under the faucet for a few seconds, rotating slowly to ensure all strands are pushed out.

Additionally, for these waterproof devices, Rietveld recommends doing a deep clean of the detachable parts by soaking them in water and soap at least once a month. This will eliminate the risk of any nasty bacteria taking up long-term residence in your trimmer, and then eventually onto your face.

Step Two: Oil the Blades

Time to tap into your inner Daniel Day-Lewis and be an oil man. Similar to the baby brush, that small bottle of oil that comes with many beard trimmers is meant to be used—and often at that. “The best way to properly oil your blades is after every beard trim,” says Danny Amorim, a master barber and Andis Global Educator.

According to Diederichs, this crucial step will ensure the blades continue running smoothly and prevent rust. After brushing hair off, place a couple of drops of oils (no more than three to avoid over-oiling) across the blade teeth. Then turn it on for roughly 10 to 20 seconds to allow the oil to distribute evenly throughout. That’s all it takes, an extra 20 seconds top.

If your device didn’t come with a bottle of oil (or you already threw it out), there are a few options the pros use. Diederichs notes that many barbers use the Andis Cool Care Plus spray thanks to its ability to disinfect and lubricate trimmer blades. As the brand’s Global Educator, Amorim, puts it, “It’s a coolant, disinfectant, lubricant, cleaner, and rust preventative that will keep you covered from all angles.” He adds that this is especially beneficial to coarse beards, as it will reduce tugging and keep the device in top shape.

Step Three: Proper Storage

You might not have ever given thought to where you keep your beard trimmer in relation to its longevity, but this final step is massively important. Just like in real estate, location is everything when it comes to maintaining your device. “Proper storage is key to prolonging your trimmer’s lifespan,” says Rietveld. First, if you do have a waterproof tool, make sure everything is dry before storing to avoid rusting.

Diederichs recommends putting the cap or cover (most come with one) on after each use before placing it somewhere there is no direct moisture, ideally a draw or cabinet (aka not on the bathroom counter, as much as those charging stands are super useful). “If you want to store it in the bathroom, don’t leave it outside uncovered as the humidity from the shower can rust the blades over time,” she says. “Storing your trimmer in a pouch in a bathroom cabinet is a safer bet.”

But this isn’t only for the sake of your trimmer. Amorim warns that there are others whose health and longevity are at stake during this process. “One of the best recommendations in caring for your beard trimmer is keeping it in a safe place. As a bearded barber and father, the last thing you want is one of your kids getting their hands on it and ending up with a cut in the eyebrow, a bald spot, or practicing on the household pet,” he says. “It’s a great story to tell but never good when it first happens—it happened to me and here I am, 26 years later, still loving to cut hair.”

Then there is the question of charging and if you should always keep your device fully charged when it’s stored. The short answer is no. “If you use your trimmer on a daily to weekly basis, you don’t need a full charge or to drain the batter before storing it,” Rietveld says. According to the barber, you only need to keep it partially charged (anywhere between 30 and 80 percent is perfect) when you’re using it regularly. That said, if you’re going months between using a particular trimmer, store it at roughly 50 percent charged to avoid overcharging or undercharging, both of which can possibly shorten the battery’s lifespan.

Sure, this process is clearly pretty simple and not too time-consuming—but it’s always worth making your life easier. So what are the easiest to clean beard trimmers? Rietveld recommends Panasonic’s cordless option, which unsurprisingly, we’ve also ranked as the best overall beard trimmer available. “Working with the Panasonic Cordless Beard Trimmer is great because it has a powerful motor and sharp blades, this trimmer ensures precise grooming. Its waterproof design allows for convenient cleaning under running water,” he says.

For another durable, professional-grade, and multiple-purpose trimmer, Diederichs only has one in mind. “If you want long-lasting trimmers, I recommend the Babyliss Pro Gold (or Silver) FX Outlining Trimmer,” she says. “I use these in my professional kit and with daily maintenance, these trimmers are still kicking it after four years of daily use. I use a brush to clean the trimmer blades and spray with disinfectant after every use and then use blade oil every few days to keep them from rusting.”

As you can probably guess, other easy-to-clean options we’d point to are generally waterproof options like the Manscaped Beard Hedger, which for our money is the best trimmer for travel as it’s fairly compact, easily chargeable with a USB-C, includes a killer travel case, and is armed with 20 length options from a single attachment. If you have a shorter beard or just looking to do some touch-ups, you can’t go wrong with the ultra-versatile Philips Norelco OneBlade.

It’s true that the fact something ends is what gives it meaning, and even the strongest of beard trimmers will one day need to be laid to rest. Still, let’s make sure you’re not jumping the gun on any device’s funeral. Plus, if you’ve followed the above advice, you may have much more gray in your beard by the time you actually need to replace it.

According to Diederichs, you’ll know it’s time when you have to go over the same areas multiple times to get a quality trim or you start to feel excessive tugging. She adds that most trimmers have a couple of screws on the back of the face, simply unscrew them, pop off the old blades, and add the new ones.

But as Amorim explains, when properly cared for, your beard trimmer and its blades can last forever. “If this is a personal trimmer, you can go years without replacing the blade if you’re keeping your blade properly sanitized, lubricated, and protected. I’ve been a barber for 26 years and service 16-20 clients daily, and I only change mine if the blade is damaged” he says.

Not to mention, the trimmer not cutting as crisp as it once did isn’t always an indication that the blades need to be replaced. Sometimes they just need a little TLC. “If I feel the blade is not giving me that crispy line, I’ll get mine sharpened because the blade is still good. Do you throw out a good kitchen knife? No! You sharpen the knife first so you can use it again,” Amorim says.

• Robert-Jan Rietveld, a Denver-based barber and Grooming Educator at Reuzel.
• Jasmine Diederichs, a barber at Church Barber in San Francisco.
• Danny Amorim, a master barber with over 25 years of experience and an Andis Global Educator.

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