Cleaning & Storage – Best Practices for Keeping Shears Sanitized and Protected

As a professional hairstylist or barber, your professional hair shears are your most valuable tool. Proper shear cleaning, sanitization, and storage are crucial for maintaining sharpness, performance, and longevity. This guide will walk you through the best practices for cleaning shears, disinfecting shears, and storing hair cutting scissors to ensure they remain in top condition.

Why Proper Shear Maintenance Matters

Investing in high-quality hair cutting shears is only the first step. Without regular cleaning and storage, your barber shears or styling scissors can become dull, develop rust, or accumulate product buildup, leading to poor performance and even potential client infections.

• Maintains sharpness – Proper scissor cleaning and oiling prevent friction and blade damage.
• Prevents corrosion – Moisture and chemicals can degrade even the best Japanese 440C steel shears or VG10 steel shears if not cleaned correctly.
• Ensures hygiene – Dirty cutting shears can harbor bacteria, leading to cross-contamination.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Hair Shears

Regular scissor maintenance will keep your tools performing at their best. Follow these steps to properly clean and sanitize hair shears:

1. Wipe Shears After Every Use

• After every haircut, use a soft microfiber cloth to remove hair, dirt, and product residue.
• Avoid using rough towels, which can scratch the scissor blades.

2. Disinfect Shears Daily

• Use a disinfectant spray or barbicide solution specifically designed for hairdressing scissors.
• Avoid soaking shears in liquid disinfectant, as prolonged exposure can damage the tension system and screws.
• Spray or wipe the cutting edges with a disinfecting solution, ensuring complete sanitization.

3. Deep Clean Weekly

For a more thorough cleaning:

• Remove any excess hair from the pivot area using a scissor brush or compressed air.
• Dry immediately using a lint-free cloth to prevent rust formation.

4. Apply Shear Oil Regularly

• Use scissor oil to lubricate the pivot area at least once a week.
• Apply a small drop and open and close the shear blades to distribute the oil evenly.
• This helps prevent stiffness and keeps hair cutting shears moving smoothly.

Best Practices for Shear Storage

Proper shear storage is just as important as cleaning. Storing scissors correctly prevents accidental damage, rust, and unnecessary wear.

1. Use a Shear Case or Holster

• Always store your professional scissors in a shear case or barber tool roll to protect them from dust, moisture, and accidental drops.
• Never toss your hair shears into a drawer or leave them exposed on a workstation.

2. Keep Shears Dry

• After cleaning, ensure your shears for cutting hair are completely dry before storing them.
• Moisture is the leading cause of rust on scissors, so avoid storing shears in humid environments.

3. Store Shears Separately

• Avoid storing multiple scissors together in a case without individual compartments.
• Blades rubbing against each other can cause unnecessary scissor dulling.

4. Maintain Proper Shear Tension

• Before storing, check your shear tension to make sure it’s properly adjusted.
• Loose tension can cause hair shears to fold hair instead of cutting, while overly tight tension leads to premature wear.

5. Avoid Dropping Shears

• Dropping your barber shears or styling scissors can damage the blade alignment.
• Always place them securely on a stable surface or back in their case after use.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

To extend the life of your professional hair scissors, avoid these common mistakes:

❌ Using alcohol-based cleaners excessively – While sanitization is important, excessive alcohol can dry out the metal, leading to brittleness.

❌ Cutting non-hair materials – Never use your salon shears for cutting paper, fabric, or plastic, as it dulls the edges quickly.

❌ Leaving shears wet – Even rust-resistant shears can corrode over time if not dried properly.

❌ Over-tightening the screw – Too much pressure on the pivot point can cause unnecessary strain on the blades.

Conclusion: Keep Your Shears in Peak Condition

Regular scissor maintenance is essential for ensuring barber shears, salon shears, and professional hair cutting shears remain sharp, clean, and in optimal working condition. By following these best practices for cleaning shears, disinfecting shears, and proper storage, you can extend the life of your investment and maintain superior cutting performance.

Looking for High-Quality Shears?

At Shear Fanatic™, we provide Japanese 440C steel shears and VG10 steel scissors designed for durability, precision, and long-term use. Plus, all our shears come with a free maintenance kit to help you keep them in top condition.

? Shop now for high-quality hair cutting scissors
? Need shear sharpening? We offer a scissor sharpening service with a 2-3 day turnaround time!

? Have questions about shear maintenance? Drop a comment below or contact us!