How to lubricate an electric razor- the ultimate guide

Over the years, electric razors have proven to be very effective, fast and safe for use to several people. It is the perfect go-to gadget for shaving when you do not want to use the manual shaving cream, gel or worry about the cost. it is also best when you want lasting implications, maintenance is essential to reap this particular benefit.

Ensuring your shaver has all it needs to function properly is a critical step in enjoying its uses for a long time. Cleaning and lubrication are also important steps in prolonging the life of your electric razor and ensuring optimal performance.

How to lubricate an electric razor:

To lubricate your electric razor make sure you use a suited lubricant or spray lubricant. For foil shavers, you just need to put a single drop of oil on each foil and also on the trimmer, for a rotary razor you don’t even need to open it and you can place a few drops on each shaving head. Then run for a few seconds.

Just as a car engine or motorcycle requires oil to lubricate the moving parts and reduce the wear or stress, so does your electric razor. The blades, foils and metal combs of your electric razor are designed with really low tolerances to enable you to get a close shave. These parts always come into contact with each other to get the job done. When you turn on your electric shaver for use, the friction between the parts causes the engine to get heated up and eventually lead to wear. To reduce the effects of this contact, it is important to lubricate the moving parts of your electric razor.

Do you want to know how to lubricate your electric razor? Do you want to know the importance of this lubrication and why it is essential?  You have come to the right place. In this article, we have put together all the answers to these questions so that you can enjoy using your device. Below is everything you need to know about how and when to lubricate it.

Do I need to lubricate my electric razor?- Advantages of lubricating your razor

Asides the prolonging of the life span of your device, there are several reasons why you should lubricate your electric razor regularly.  To understand why lubrication is important, you must first understand how your electric razor works.

If you are using a foil shaver, which is the more traditional type, one or more blades are hidden under extremely thin foils perforated by very small holes. When you press your shaver against your face, facial hair enters into the holes and is sheared off. This hair might get into the blades and if not properly lubricated, it might cause wear in the engine.

Also when heat builds up in the device, the dynamic parts of your razor may come under stress. The razor could break down, become dull, or even injure you. Therefore, cleaning your razor and using the right lubricant regularly is important in helping you maintain a close shave, keeping you safe, comfortable, and protecting your electric razor. Here are some advantages of lubrication:

• Lubrication reduces the heat generated when the blades and foils come in contact which leads to friction between the parts. Therefore improving the comfort you get when you shave. This will, in turn, reduce the risk of razor burn, skin irritation, and blemishes.
• Prolongs the life span: It also prolongs the life span of the foils and blades, so that you won’t need to replace them often.
• Enough oil and reduced friction improve the closeness of the shave. If you use your electric razor constantly, the wear that occurs when the blades and foils meet will gradually affect its performance. In some cases, the blades may eat and cut through the foils, so you will have to replace them before that happens to prevent the risk of serious injuries. If your electric razor is properly lubricated, the process is slowed down and you will be able to get a close and comfortable shave that you want for a longer time before the parts require any replacement.
• Less stress on the motor: Lubrication reduces the stress put on the motor. Usually, a lubricant allows for the cutting parts to glide over each other with minimal resistance. This means that the motor will not need to work too hard to keep the parts moving and most of the power will be used for cutting the hair coupled with minimal loss of energy in the form of heat.

How often should you Lubricate your shaver?

The frequency at which you lubricate your electric shaver depends on what the manufacturer says, and how often you use and clean your razor.

• Once or twice a week: Your electric razor should be lubricated once or twice a week if you don’t normally use liquid soap to clean your razor. In this case, a spray lubricant is more practical because it helps with cleaning other parts as well.
• If you clean your shaver: Also, you should lubricate before or after every shave especially if you clean your shaver with soap and water. Cleaning with soap and water will likely strip the blades and foils of any form of lubrication. So it is advisable to put a few drops of lubricant after cleaning or before shaving. There is no special way of doing it.

How to lubricate your electric razor

Since we have considered the reasons why lubrication is important for you and your electric shaver, we will now see how to do it and the different available options.

1. Light, low viscosity oils and lubricants

When it comes to lubricating, the first option is to use a multi-purpose light oil. An example of light oil is the hair clipper oil and sewing machine oil, and they work well for lubricating electric shavers.

Sometimes, manufacturers (such as Braun and Panasonic) include a small bottle of lubricant that comes with the electric razor, but it rarely happens like that.

Another cheap lubricant that works just fine with electric shavers is the Wahl clipper oil. You may wish to try some light sewing machine oil for your shaver because it is very effective, cheap, and easily available.

– Foil shaver

For foil shavers, you just need to put a single drop of oil on each foil and also on the trimmer because it can get hotter than the foils during use. It is important to know that even a little drop goes a long way and that a single drop on each cutting surface will also go a long way.

After you have applied the lubricant, turn on the shaver for a few seconds so as to allow the oil to spread evenly across the foils. If necessary, you can gently pat the foils with a tissue paper to help absorb any excess oil. Don’t forget that just a little bit goes a very long way.

– Rotary razor

For rotary razors, it is not necessary to take the shaving unit apart; place a drop(s) on each shaving head (including the slits and holes), then turn on the unit and allow it to run for a few seconds, then you’re ready to go. That’s pretty much everything. If your electric razor comes with a cleaning station, then there is no need for extra lubrication since the solutions used for cleaning usually act as a lubricant.

2. Spray lubricants

Spray lubricants are very easy and they are a practical way of cleaning and lubricating your shaver. They are also known to degrease the blades from skin oils and break down mineral deposits that come from hard water.

Before applying the spray, it is advisable to use a brush to remove hair and dirt which accumulated on the blade. If you use shaving cream or gel alongside your razor often, then you should definitely give it a thorough cleaning before you proceed with the lubrication- use hot water and a bit of liquid soap. It is also important to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when cleaning your razor. Since they made the razor, it is assumed that they know what is best for the razor. Also, note that your shaver needs to be completely dry before you apply a lubricating spray.\

– Foil shaver

To apply the spray, generously spray the blades and foils while holding the can at 2 or 3 inches away. After spraying, you can then put the shaving head back together and allow the shaver run to for a few seconds so as to evenly distribute the lubricant.

– Rotary razor

If you are using a rotary razor, you should first disassemble the shaving head in order to have access to the blades, then spray the blades, as well as the inner part of the combs. Ensure that you put the blades back together in the same way as they were assembled because failure to do so will affect the performance of your razor.

– What spray lubricant to buy

There are options for good spray lubricants available on the market. Remington Shaver Saver is one of the most popular ones and it comes in a 3.8 oz can. The Shaver Saver spray is reasonably priced, widely available, and works great as a cleaner as well as a lubricant.

Another great point on spray lubricants is that they can be used as stand-alone products or they can be used alongside the first lubricating technique described in 1 above. They may not be 100% necessary, but they prove to be very effective, easy to apply and are also somewhat inexpensive.

These cleaning and lubricating sprays make a noticeable difference to the performance of electric shavers and it is highly recommended to get one, especially if you clean your electric shaver with just soap and water. They are more effective when used on an old shaver that does not cut as well as it used to.

How do I clean an Electric Shaver

The First thing to know is that the build-up of hair clippings, skin particles and oils can seriously affect the shaving ability of your electric razor. These particles can go as far as causing damage to the shaving foils or heads, or even limit their movement, therefore putting additional strain on the engine in the process. This will likely result in faltering faster than it normally would.

These can be prevented if you clean and lubricate your electric razor properly. If you follow these simple cleaning and lubricating steps, you’ll be able to keep your electric razor in the best form.

Daily cleaning

You must imbibe the habit of giving your electric shaver a regular clean after every use. The frequency of this cleaning solely depends on the rate at which your facial hair grows. Some people may prefer to clean their shaver daily or after each use, while others may want to wait until they have had two or three shaves. But you shouldn’t wait too long before you clean and lubricate. Electric shavers are normally easy to clean. So whether it is a foil shaver you have or a rotary shaver, it is very easy to remove the casing that holds the rotary blades and foils, so as to gently dap out any clippings or particles that are loitering inside. You can go ahead to remove the cutter block and foils so that you can access the inner area of the shaver and clean it out.

Manufacturers also recommend that you shouldn’t brush the actual foils or cutter block because those parts are very delicate and can easily be damaged by the brush. Sometimes even the smallest warp or dent on the tool can seriously reduce the performance of your electric razor.

The heads on some shavers can also be cleaned under running water. To do this,  hold the head of the shaver under a running tap to wash away all the shavings on top of the shaver. Next, press the release button on the shaving head holder, which will release the head and give you access to the blades. After gaining access to blades, allow the water to run over them for about 30 seconds, or until you can see that they are free of debris. To get the best results for the particular model of electric razor you use, it is advisable to follow the instructions in the user manual. If you have misplaced the manual, you can easily find a copy on the manufacturer’s website.

Self-cleaning electric shavers

Some high-end electric shavers, like the Philips Series 9000 S9711/31, are designed to have a cleaning unit that will thoroughly clean and lubricate the shaver. The cleaning dock normally houses a cartridge that contains cleaning fluid. The fluid works its way around the head of the shaver during the cleaning process.

How long can the cleaning unit last? Philips claims that one of its SmartClean cartridges will last for three months with weekly usage. Also, an indicator symbol on the razor will tell you when it is time to replace the cartridge. The cartridges are available online from Philips store or other trusted online shops. 

There are other cleaning units such as the Braun’s Clean and Renew cartridges that fit into the Clean and Charge dock and perform a similar function to the Philips SmartClean cartridges. They can be found in Argos and Boots and other popular and trusted online retailers. Braun claims that each cleaning cartridge would last for about 30 different cleaning cycles. So if you are using it daily, you need to replace it every month.

The kind of thorough clean you get from using a cleaning dock isn’t always necessary daily. If you want to extend the life of your cleaning cartridges, it is advisable to use the dock once or twice every week, while following the steps that are mentioned above to do a quick daily clean manually.

Deep-cleaning your electric shaver

If the model of electric razor that you own doesn’t come with a cleaning unit, then you’ll have to take out some time, at least once a month, to give your electric shaver a deep clean. You don’t have to worry about the method as it requires only a little more work beyond your daily clean which isn’t complicated. Instead of just releasing the casing lid and cleaning the blades, you’ll have to fully disassemble the blades as well as the cutting cassette from the head of the electric razor. Once you have dissembled the blades, you’ll find a build-up of particles, make sure you brush them out well.  Then you can proceed to give all the parts, including the body of the razor a wipe down while being gentle with the foil if there is one. Finally, allow all parts to dry off before reassembling for use.

After you have cleaned your shaver, it is advisable to put a drop of light machine or sewing oil on the blades or foil to keep them well lubricated- usually, a small bottle of this comes in the box of a new shaver. As mentioned above, you may also buy cleaning and lubricating spray that can do both jobs at once. The Braun’s SC8000 spray is a popular product that falls into this category.

When should I replace my electric shaver blades?

Most rotary blades and shaving foils are designed to put in an amount of work in order to keep the face fuzz-free. However, this will eventually take its toll on the sharpness of the blades, and sometimes it may even affect the integrity of the shaving foils. There are a few signs that will let you know if your cutting mechanism is faltering. They include:

1. When it is no longer cutting as close as it used to.

If you notice that you are passing your electric shaver over the same spot multiple times or you have to press it harder onto your skin just to get the closeness of shave you’re used to, then the blades may have become dull.

 2. When you notice that the cutting mechanism feels hotter than usual during shaving.

This is an indicator of wear and tear on the blades and foils which may cause excess friction as they rub together, therefore, reducing the integrity of your electric shaver.

3. When the hair is being yanked out instead of cut.

If you notice that your hairs are being pulled out and tugged while shaving, you likely need to replace the cutting block.

The moment you start noticing all these signs, then it is time to start thinking about replacing the cutting parts of your electric razor.

How long it takes for this to happen will depend on a range of factors, such as how often you shave, the texture of your facial hair, the shaving technique that you use, how well you clean your shaver, and the quality of the cutting mechanism.

Most manufacturers recommend that you change the foils and blades of your electric shaver every 12 to 18 months. But yours might need replacing sooner than this. So you should get into the habit of regularly looking over your blades and foil so that you can spot any noticeable wear before it becomes a big issue. It is also good to keep in mind that replacement cutting parts aren’t cheap, so you may want to think about it before rushing to buy some. But if your electric shaver is budget-friendly, it might be better to purchase an entirely new one. One constant fact is that, even with the perfect cleaning and maintenance, there still comes a time when it is ideal to buy a new electric shaver. When that time comes, make sure you pick the right one that suits your budget and needs by checking out our article on the best electric shaver’s choice.

Recommended cleaners

Here are some recommended cleaners to get the job done.

1. Remington Shaver Saver Aerosol Spray Cleaner

Just like other products, this aerosol product has a pro and a con. The pro is that it is very easy to use. Because it is an aerosol, it is easy to store and requires just a simple press of a button to apply it. It also works as a sanitizer.

The con, however, is that the Shaver Saver has an overpowering smell. So if you’re planning on oiling your shaver daily, be prepared to saturate your bathroom. So you will at least need to make sure your fan is running on a high.

2. Philips Norelco Razor Lubricant & Cleaning Spray

The Philips spray is another great option that will help you to clean and lubricate your blades at the same time. In fact, instead of the daily cleaning, you could give your shaver blades a light spray. The force of the spray will remove leftover hair that hasn’t brushed away and will just moisten and lubricate the blades.

However, the con that comes with this spray is that sometimes the viscosity of the aerosol may not be as thick as you might expect. So if you’re putting your shaver through a lot, you might want to make sure it is getting an excellent thick oil treatment in return. That being said, the aerosol will work perfectly for most people.

Finally, using an electric shaver lubricant shouldn’t be difficult, but it also needs to be done regularly. Regular cleaning and lubrication will not only keep your shaver in top condition but it will help you get the best use out of it. This will, in turn, get you a great, comfortable and close shave for years to come.

Conclusion

We hope that this article has helped you to clear some confusion you might have had regarding the proper lubrication of an electric shaver. Now that you know how important it is to always lubricate and how it will save money in the long run, try to pay close attention to it while ensuring that you do it the right way. Good luck!