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Tips for Taking Care of Your Hair Cutting Shears

by James Adams May 14, 2021 7 min read

Tips for Taking Care of Your Hair Cutting Shears - Japan Scissors USA

If you're a professional barber or hairstylist, it's important to take care of your hair-cutting & thinning shears.

Not only do they need to be cleaned and lubricated regularly, but you should also use a sanitizer solution to kill any bacteria that may be on the blades.

In this article, we'll discuss the best ways to clean and lubricate your hair cutting shears, as well as how to use a sanitizer solution.

Follow these tips and your scissors will stay sharp and bacteria-free for longer!

Why Should You Take Care Of Your Hair Shears?

Quite simply, because if you don't, they will not work as well as they are supposed to.

Dirty blades and a buildup of hair and chemicals can make it difficult for the scissors to cut properly.

This will not only affect the quality of your haircuts, but it can also lead to accidents.

So, it's important to take care of your hair cutting shears and keep them in good condition.

The Best 8 Tips For How To Take Care Of Your Hairdressing Shears

Whether you have a pair of haircutting shears or thinning/texturizing scissors, it is important to learn how to take care of them.

Caring for your scissors typically includes washing and sanitizing every day that you cut hair with your shears. 

Not only does this aid in keeping the shears in top working order and prolong their life, but, it is also required by the government to ensure hygiene. 

Apart from cleaning, proper usage and storage are essential in maintaining your cutting scissors.

1. Cleaning Your Hairdressing Shears

Dirty hairdressing scissors that require cleaning

It is important to clean your hair cutting shears every day, and the best way to do this is by using a sanitizer solution.

However, if you don't have a sanitizer solution handy, you can also use rubbing alcohol.

Simply rinse the shears in soap and water, then use the rubbing alcohol or sanitizer solution to disinfect the blades.

Be sure to dry the shears thoroughly before storing them.

The best way to thoroughly clean your haircutting & thinning shears includes:

  1. Separating the scissors into two pieces(optional)
  2. Washing the shears in soap and warm water. Make sure to open the blades wide to clean any hair or buildup in between the blades.
  3. After cleaning, thoroughly dry the hairdressing shears. Use a paper towel, and then air-dry the scissors for 30-60 minutes.
  4. Once dried, apply rubbing alcoholor the quaterniumhaircutting shear soap solution. Be sure to get the blades and all other nooks and crannies.
  5. Wipe away any excess with a clean cloth, then allow the scissors to air-dry for another 30 minutes.

A thorough clean is a good idea after extensive use for a few weeks or a month. You should also do this if you notice any corrosion, dulling, dirty in between the blades, or damage to the scissors.

2. Lubricating & Oiling Your Haircutting Shears

Hairdressing shears that are being lubricated and oiled in a salon

Lubrication is an important part of taking care of your scissors.

You should lubricate your scissors every time you use them, and also wipe them down with a soft cloth after each haircut.

This will help to reduce the build-up of chemicals and hair, which can affect the performance of your scissors throughout the day.

There are a few different types of lubricants that you can use:

  • Oil– Camellia Oil, Mineral, vegetable, or olive oil can be used as a lubricant for hair scissors. However, it is not the best option as it can attract dirt and dust over time.
  • Silicone Spray – A silicone spray is a good choice for haircutting shears as it does not attract dust and dirt.
  • Dry Lubricant – A dry lubricant such as WD-40 can also be used on hair scissors.

Once you have chosen a lubricant, simply spray it onto a soft cloth and wipe down the blades of your scissors.

You can also use a drop of oil on the joint of the scissors to keep them moving smoothly.

Be sure to wipe away any excess lubricant before using your scissors.

It is also a good idea to oil and lubricate your scissors after you have cleaned them thoroughly.

This will help to keep the blades in good condition and prevent rusting.

Just remember, too much oil can also attract dirt and dust. A little bit of oil goes a long way!

3. Handling Your Hair Scissors With Care

Carefully holding a pair of haircutting shears in a salon

It is important to handle your scissors with care to prevent damage.

Never force the blades of your scissors open or closed, as this can damage the joint.

Also, be sure to keep the blades clean and sharpened to avoid nicks and cuts.

The easiest ways to be careful when handling your scissors:

  • Be careful not to drop them.
  • Avoid dropping them on the floor, or throwing hair shears onto the counter.
  • Don't leave your scissors in your bag or purse, make sure they are in a protective case.
  • Do not let anyone use your scissors without permission. People not familiar with hair shears can easily damage them by accident.
  • Do not try to cut through anything other than hair.
  • If you are not using the scissors, close them and put them away safely.

By following these simple tips on handling your shears with care, you can extend the life of your haircutting shears and keep them working like new for years to come!

4. Safely Storing Your Hair Scissors

Hairdressing scissor care that protects your shears in storage

When you are not using your scissors, it is important to store them safely to prevent damage.

The best way to store your scissors is in a protective scissor case, pouch, wallet, or sheath.

This will protect the blades from nicks and cuts, and keep them clean and sharp. It is extremely common to damage your shears by leaving them unprotected in your bag or purse.

Another way to store your scissors safely is by hanging them on a wall or peg.

Just make sure they are out of reach of children and pets, as they could easily be injured if they came in contact with the blades.

When storing your shears for a long time, make sure that they are clean, dry and well-oiled to avoid any rust or corrosion damage.

By following these simple tips on how to take care of your hair cutting shears, you can ensure that they stay sharp and in good condition for years to come!

5. Proper Use: Haircutting Shears For Hair

 Cutting paper with hair scissors

Using hair shears that are meant for cutting hair on fabric, paper, or anything else can permanently damage the blades.

The hair scissor blades are angled in a way that allows them to cut through hair cleanly, without pulling or snagging, but this doesn't work as well on other materials.

To the untrained eye there's not much difference between a strand hair and a piece paper, and a strand polyester. 

However, cosmetologists know there are some distinct distinctions. Hair is different in thickness and texture as compared to paper and cloth. Hair is made up of tiny hair strands that are connected by proteins. 

Paper is made up of fibrous wood that has been compressed and. Fabric is composed of threads that are twisted into weaved cloth. 

When shears used for cutting are employed to cut anything other than hair blades turn dull and could be thrown out of alignment.

6. Maintaining The Correct Balance & Tension

The hairdressing scissor screw that manages the tension

A common problem when using hair cutting shears is not having the correct balance and tension.

If you don't have good scissor tension, the blades will move too freely and will not cut the hair cleanly.

This could result in split ends, or worse, you could end up having the blades damage each other while cutting.

Insufficient tension in the scissors could result in damaged blades and more stress on hands. 

A scissors with a loose tension will give poor cuts since they will stretch, not cut, the strands of hair. 

If shears used for haircutting are dull, it's crucial to have them sharpened and maintained by a professional sharpener or shear sharpener.

7. Sharpen Your Scissors At The Right Time

Maintaining the scissor sharpness so you can cut hair

It's important to sharpen your scissors at the right time, or you could end up doing more damage than good.

If the blades are too dull, you'll have to apply more pressure to make them work, which will damage the scissors.

If the blades are too sharp, they could cut the hair too close to the scalp, which can cause damage and split ends.

It's important to have your scissors sharpened by a professional sharpener or shear sharpener to ensure that they are properly cared for.

Read about how to tell if your scissors are sharp enough to cut hair here!

8. Buy High-Quality Shears For a Long Life

Hairdressing shears protected in a case

One of the best ways to take care of your hair cutting shears is to buy high-quality shears that are made to last.

Cheap shears can be bought at discount stores, but they are not made to last and will need to be replaced more often.

High-quality shears are made of premium scissor materials and will last longer.

They also have a better blade alignment, which means they will cut the hair cleanly without pulling or snagging.

If you take care of your high-quality shears from premium scissor brands, they will last for many years and will be a valuable tool in your beauty arsenal.

Follow these simple tips on how to take care of your hair cutting shears, and you'll be sure to have a great tool that will last for years to come! Thanks for reading!

Conclusion: The Best Ways To Care For Your Haircutting Shears

Regular cleaning, lubrication, and proper use will help maintain your haircutting shears so they last for many years. Be sure to buy high-quality shears and have them sharpened by a professional to get the best results.

  • Regular cleaning
  • Keep your scissor blades sharper for longer with a sharpener
  • The use of rubbing alcohol or quaternium haircutting shear sanitizer solution
  • Proper Use: Haircutting Shears For Hair
  • Maintaining the correct balance and tension
  • Sharpen your scissors at the right time
  • Buy high-quality shears for a long life!

By following these simple tips, you can prolong the lifespan of your haircutting shears and keep them working like new for many years to come! Thanks for reading. :)

James Adams
James Adams

James is an experienced hairdressing and barbering enthusiast. He has experience in the Japanese and North American scissor market and strives to bring information on haircutting shears in one place. Writing for Japan Scissors USA, he focuses on Japanese hairdressing scissor brands, models, and the manufacturing process, so you can make the best choice in scissors the first time round.


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