Alongside cleaning, lubrication is a key factor in prolonging the life of your electric shaver and ensuring optimal performance.
Just like your car’s engine needs oil for lubricating the moving parts and to reduce the wear, so does your electric razor.
In order to provide a close shave, the blades, foils and the metal combs of an electric razor are machined with very tight tolerances and these parts actually come into contact with each other.
During use, this friction causes heat and wear. To reduce the effects to a minimum, regular lubrication is vital.
Here’s everything you need to know about how and when to do it.
Why is lubrication so important — Advantages of lubricating your razor
Here are the main benefits of lubricating your electric shaver:
- It reduces the heat generated by the friction between the blades and foils, improving the comfort during your shave. This will reduce the risk of razor burn, irritation, and blemishes.
- It prolongs the life of the foils and blades, so you won’t have to replace them as often.
- It improves the closeness of the shave. As you constantly use your shaver, the wear of the blades and foils will gradually affect its performance. In some extreme cases the blades will actually eat through the foils, so you’ll definitely want to replace them before that happens as the risk of serious injuries is real. With a properly lubricated shaver, this process is slowed down and you’ll be able to get close and comfortable shaves for a longer time before the parts need to be replaced. Another bonus side effect of the reduced friction is less generated heat, which in turn makes shaving more comfortable and allows you to be more thorough and get a close shave.
- It puts less stress on the motor. A lubricant allows the cutting parts to move with minimal resistance, meaning the motor will work less to keep them moving and most of the power will be used for actually cutting the hairs, with minimal loss in the form of heat.
How to lubricate your electric razor
Now that we’ve seen why lubrication is important, let’s see how to actually do it and what the different options are.
1. Light, low viscosity oils and lubricants
The first option is to simply use a light mineral oil, like hair clipper oil; basically, any highly refined mineral oil will work great for lubricating the blades of an electric shaver.
Side note: you’ll sometimes find sewing machine oil among the recommended lubricants on various forums and articles.
While I’ve used it in the past with good results, it’s best to stick to the aforementioned options in order to avoid any potential skin reactions.
Some manufacturers (like Braun and Panasonic) sometimes include a small bottle of lubricant (which is basically a highly refined mineral/paraffin oil), but that’s not always the case.
An excellent and inexpensive lubricant that works great with electric shavers is the clipper oil from Wahl.
Wahl Clipper Oil
It’s very effective, cheap and widely available (you can also get it from Walmart).
Another equally good option is the Oster Blade Lube, again a very reasonably priced and effective product.
Oster Blade Lube
Both contain highly refined white mineral oil.
Other brands should work just as well as long as they have a light consistency.
Applying the oil is extremely simple and straightforward.
Just remember that the shaving unit must be dry, so if for example, you washed the shaver with water, allow it a few hours to dry.
Here’s how to do it.
For foil shavers, just put one or two drops on the outside of each foil and also on the pop-up trimmer as it can get even hotter than the foils during use.
Again, a little bit goes a long way and two drops (at most) on each cutting element will suffice.
After applying, turn the shaver on for a few seconds to allow the oil to spread evenly across the foils while holding the razor in an upright position.
You can also use your index finger to spread it over the entire length of the foils.
If needed, gently pat the foils with a paper tissue to absorb any excess oil.
For rotary razors, you don’t necessarily have to take the shaving unit apart; place a few drops on each shaving head (on the slits and holes), then let it run for a few seconds and you’re all set.
That’s pretty much it.
If you regularly use a cleaning station with your electric razor, then there’s no need for additional lubrication as the solutions used for cleaning also act as a lubricant.
2. Spray lubricants for electric razors
Spray lubricants are a very easy and practical way of cleaning and lubricating a shaver.
They also degrease the blades from skin oils and break down mineral deposits (from hard water).
Before applying the spray I recommend removing the bulk of hairs from the shaving head.
You can use a small brush (but not directly on the foils) or gently tap the foil frame on the sink.
A can of compressed air will also do the job.
If you use your razor with shaving cream or gel, then definitely give it a thorough cleaning beforehand — warm tap water and (optionally) a bit of liquid soap should do it (always make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when cleaning your razor).
Note: the shaving head should be completely dry before applying a spray lubricant.
Generously spray the blades and foils while holding the can 2 to 3 inches away. You can then put the shaving head back and let the shaver run for a few seconds to distribute the lubricant evenly.
If you own a Braun shaver for example, spray both the outside and the inner part of the cassette (that integrates the foils and blades).
With a rotary razor, you should take apart the shaving head and spray the blades, as well as the inner part of the combs.
Make sure not to intermix them as the combs and blades are matching pairs and failing to do so will affect the performance of your razor.
There are quite a few options of good spray lubricants out there; the Remington Shaver Saver is one of the more popular ones and comes in a 3.8 oz can.
Remington Shaver Saver
The Shaver Saver spray is reasonably priced, widely available and works great as a cleaner and lubricant.
Out of all the brands I’ve used, I find it to be the most effective.
Alternatively, you can also get the Andis Cool Care Plus which is a good (and cheap) option, especially in Europe where the Remington spray is getting more difficult to find.
It smells nicer too, but in my experience, it’s not quite as effective as the one from Remington.
Spray lubricants can be used as stand-alone products or in conjunction with the first lubricating method described above. They’re not 100% necessary, but I find them very effective, easy to apply and they’re also fairly inexpensive.
Cleaning & lubricating sprays make a noticeable difference to the performance of my shavers (particularly Panasonic) and I highly recommend getting one, especially if you clean your electric razor with soap and water.
They’re particularly effective when used on an older shaver that doesn’t seem to cut as well as it used to.
For a comprehensive guide on the various spray cleaners and how to use them properly make sure to check out this post.
How often should you oil your shaver?
Lubrication frequency must take into account how you use and clean your razor. My recommendation would be this:
- Twice a week if you don’t use liquid soap to clean your razor. A spray lubricant is probably more practical in this case as it also helps with cleaning the parts.
- Before or after every shave if you clean your razor with soap and water. This cleaning method will also strip off the blades and foils of any form of lubrication. I personally put a few drops of lubricant before shaving, but there’s no right or wrong way of doing it as long as the shaving head is dry.
Conclusion
Hopefully this article helped to clear some of the confusion regarding the proper lubrication of an electric shaver.
And it really is THAT important, as it will save you money in the long run, improve the comfort and closeness and ensure optimal performance for your shaver.
If you have any questions, make sure to post them in the comments below.
Can you advise whether it is ok to use WAHL (model 3313) hair clipper oil to lubricate my series 7 braun shaver? It’s a USA brand of oil.
Definitely, in fact any light oil that doesn’t cause residue buildups will work just fine. The hair clipper oil from WHAL passes both requirements, so you can safely use it for your Series 7. Just make sure to also clean it thoroughly after the shave (I assume you don’t have or use the cleaning station since that takes care of the lubrication too).
Thanks. What about WD 40, coconut oil, olive oil, grapeseed oil or castor oil to lubricate the trimmer part of an electric razor? (I don’t want to buy a whole container of oil just to put one drop on the trimmer blades.)
Hi Sara,
WD-40 is a penetrating oil and I don’t recommend it in this case. The other oils you mentioned have a very thick consistency and ideally you’ll want to use a light oil to lubricate the trimmer. Sewing machine oil is very cheap, comes in small containers and works great.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks so much for taking the time to respond!
WD40 is a degreaser, not a lubricant
I agree it is not a lubricant it is a water displacement and degreaser many people have that misconception, look it up
No it isn’t, at least not primarily. It’s purpose is to displace water. That’s literally what it does, what it was designed to do, and what it’s named after, i.e. W(ater)D(isplacement) 40.
My Braun Series 5 shaver comes with a C&C, but after wet shaving the directions say you have to wash it with soap and water. And the directions state that if you regularly wash it with soap and water you have to add 1 drop of light machine oil per week. So my question is, if I regularly wash it with soap and water will using the C&C once per week fulfill the need to add a drop of oil?
I am aware of Braun’s recommendation and while the effectiveness of it also depends on how often you shave (and clean your shaver) per week, I personally don’t think it’s enough. As I said in the article, soap is very effective at removing lubricants from the cutting parts and I actually add a drop of light oil after every soap & water cleaning.
Hi Ovidiu,
I own a Braun series 3 – http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B01N9CYGDG/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The Braun branded oil they is way small.
Is the WAHL 3310 CLIPPER OIL safe to use? Are both the Braun Wahl oils simular?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0083F6JGI/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1521205640&sr=8-1&keywords=wahl+clipper+oil&dpPl=1&dpID=41AGcIEI95L&ref=plSrch
Thanks
Hi Daniel,
You can safely use the Wahl clipper oil on your Series 3 and it’s also way cheaper than the Braun branded lubricant. Both are very light and suitable to be used on electric shavers.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Do I apply oil on my WAHL Pro trimmer to the metal blades that the various plastic blades attach to ? Or somewhere else within the vibrating blade base?
Here’s a video showing how you should oil your trimmer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9p6OPNQeLI
Sorry, the video won’t play. It says “Private”
It must have been taken down in the meantime, unfortunately.
I used to use the aerosol sprays to lubricator my Braun shaver. To save costs I’ve tried spraying a squirt of rubbing alcohol onto my shaver … it seems to work as well and is much cheaper but I have read on the internet that isopropyl alcohol is toxic and can be absorbed in the skin…
Thoughts ?
Is there a non toxic way to lubricate ones electric shaver ?
I’ve never used isopropyl alcohol on an electric shaver, but I would advise against using it. While it does a good job at sanitizing the shaver, its lubricating properties are non-existent. It’s actually used quite often to dissolve oils. As mentioned in the article, a cheap and effective alternative is to use a few drops of light/fine machine oil.
If you by a First-Aid / Antiseptic Alcohol it will generally be Isopropyl Alcohol, or one of a few types of SD Alcohol, so it’s fine to apply Isopropyl Alcohol to your face, and to your skin in general. It’s not safe to drink and shouldn’t be use on large areas of skin, so don’t, for example, soak your feet or bathe in it. But, it is normal to use it on small areas of the skin.
SD Alcohol 23-A, SD Alcohol 40, and SD Alcohol 40-B are all specially denatured alcohols (Ethanol) which are acceptable (ATF/FDA) for use in various cosmetics.
Isopropyl Alcohol is chemically similar (but not the same as) Ethanol. Isopropyl Alcohol and SD Alcohol are all manufactured with a denaturing agent added to make it poisonous (and undesirable) to drink.
The Braun cleaning cartridge used with my shaver’s charge/clean station indicates it contains a lubricant with SD Alcohol 40-B (50/50 mix with water). When the cartridge is empty, I generally refill it with Isopropyl Alcohol (also a 50/50 mix with water) a few times before disposing of it and replacing it with a new one.
For the shavers with a cleaning station, you usually initiate a cleaning cycle after you have already finished shaving (usually performing a charge at the same time). So, by the time you use it to shave next time, all the alcohol has evaporated and it’s completely dry. You really don’t usually get any alcohol on your face.
If you are manually cleaning your shaver with alcohol, it’s best to follow a similar procedure and clean it then let it dry completely and finally lubricate it before using your shaver again. But if it is still a little damp with alcohol when you use it, it’s still safe for your skin.
Domnul Nicolaie
If I use the self-cleaning and lubrication system on my Braun Electric Shaver
do I still need to use lubricating Oil??
Hi Peter,
No, there’s no need to oil your shaver if you use the cleaning station.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Isopropyl is only toxic if you ingest quantities but it is great for disinfecting your shaver and killing bacteria that live on the dead skin cells. It does have some lubricant qualities but it is only effective before it evaporates. For a haircutting shaver the wetness offsets the benefit since hair sticks to the wet surfaces. On a razor/shaver avoid inhaling the fumes. Failing disinfect often results in minor skin infections that require prescription cremes and will reoccur once established. Barbers have kept their tools in disinfectant for decades for good reason.
Can a Teflon spray lubricant be used on my Philips Aqua touch model S5620/41 razor
A light oil (hair clipper oil, light mineral oil etc) works best for lubricating electric shavers and trimmers. Teflon lubricants are non-oily and I’m not sure they’re ideal or safe in this situation.
What about 3 in 1 oil?
Not suitable for use on personal care devices like shavers/trimmers and I would recommend against it. Its viscosity may also be too high for this application.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
No! Would you put teflon on your face?
Ovidiu, can you advise on Braun spray?
If I wash the head with soap then I should just spray and let it dry or I should remove spray residues somehow?
Hi Alex,
If you just apply a small amount after thoroughly cleaning the shaving head with soap and water, then you can just let it air dry. Braun Shaver Cleaner also acts as a lubricant, so leaving it on is a good idea. If you use it to remove stubborn buildups of hair clippings and dirt, you’ll want to spray the foils and the inner part of the cassette abundantly, let it act for 5-10 minutes, then wash the shaving head with warm water and let it air dry. This shouldn’t remove all the lubrication, but if you see it fit, you can spray it again or use a few drops of any light oil.
Thanks!
Greetings,
Is it ok to use WD-40 on my rotary shaver?
Hi,
I don’t recommend using WD-40 or any other water displacers or penetrating lubricants as they’re far from being ideal here. As mentioned above, you can’t really go wrong with hair clipper oil or any other light lubricants like sewing machine oil. You can also choose a spray lubricant like the Braun Shaver Cleaner or the SP-4 from Remington.
Very helpful article, and you, Ovidiu, are a very helpful person. I’m buying sewing machine oil today. Thank you.
Thank you for the kind words, Matt. Glad to hear you found the article useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Amen
Is it best to allow the shaver to dry first so the spray (shaver guard ) doesn’t mix with the water? Concerned that the lub will trap the water which may act as a cutting oil or increase chances of oxidation.
With thanks. Dave
Hi Dave,
Yes, it’s best to apply the spray when the cutting elements have dried.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you SOOOOO much I did exactly what you’d said on the site: ordered a shaving powder, oiled up the blade, keep the face dry. The only thing I forgot was to charge the shaver.
But in the end I got an incredible shave! On par with what a normal (non-disposable) cartridge shaver would give and fairly close to a very good DE shave. Heck it beats a bad DE shave by a mile and it saves all the troubles.
Thank you again, I’ll go back to electric shaving again much more often. To speak against the bad rep about electric shaving. You, sir, are the man!
Leo, thank you so much for the kind words! I’m really glad that it helped you out and you’re enjoying electric shaving again.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Thanks for your great article!
Are you familiar with a product called ‘Shave Secret’ – a pre-shave oil intended to replace (and perform better than) shaving creams/gels? Their website says it’s a proprietary blend of base oils (cold pressed seed & nut oils), essential oils, RX grade menthol and natural fragrance oil.
I’m wondering if using this product while shaving would reduce or eliminate the need to lubricate as often?
Hi Mike,
You are very welcome. Shave Secret is actually a shaving oil, not a pre-shave oil; pre-shave oils are formulated specifically to only be used with a shaving cream.
I haven’t personally used Shave Secret or any other shaving oils with an electric razor, so I’m afraid I can’t tell you anything regarding how well it will perform. There’s always the possibility of the razor getting clogged which will be detrimental to your results and overall experience. You could give it a shot, just make sure to use the oil sparingly.
Regarding the lubrication, the blend of oils we have here is a lot thicker than the light oils normally used to lubricate shavers and clippers, so it won’t be ideal. I guess if it’s not excessively thick it can work, allowing you to lubricate your shaver less often.
However, the main issue here is how well the shaver will perform when used with a shaving oil.
Let us know how it goes if you decide to try it out.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I clean my panasonic after every use in the cleaning station. How often should I apply oil?
If you use the cleaning station after every shave there’s no need for additional lubrication. The cleaning fluid also acts a lubricant.
Thank you! Much appreciated!
I would much appreciate your precise point wise reply
1/ I intend to purchase the Braun series 9 9290cc with the included charge and clean unit. Overall, would you recommend it over say Panasonic’s competing product .
Use -dry especially if it doesn’t cause skin irritation. If I do wet, any precise drawbacks and strong enough to go else where?
2/ for this model, would I still need to get a lubricating oil and / or the shaving cleaner and lubricating spray. They claim the CC lubricates too.
3/ To save running costs, would you recommend to use the Braun clean and renew concentrate. ?
4/ if yes, which % isopropyl alcohol. And then , does it take care of lubrication too?
Thank you for your quick and complete advice
Viraj
Hi Viraj,
Thank you for your comment. To answer your questions:
1. Yes, in fact, I usually recommend users to skip the station in case of Panasonic shavers. It’s not that it’s bad — on the contrary — but it’s not necessary and it’s not as practical as the one from Braun. You can take out the cartridge when not needed and put the cap back on (the Panasonic station only has an inner tray that holds the detergent solution) and with Braun you also have a lot more options for cheap cleaning solutions.
I think you’ll be satisfied with using the Series 9 dry as it’s very comfortable. But you can of course try it wet as well.
2. No, if you use the cleaning station on a regular basis there’s no need to lubricate the blades manually.
3. I’ve actually used quite a few third-party solutions and they all worked really well. The price is also much lower compared to Braun refills. You can read more about that here.
4. Anything between 70% and 100%. It will take care of the lubrication only if you mix it with the concentrate that also contains food grade machine oil (like the one in the link above).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu,
Many thanks for your prompt and complete answers
Regards
Viraj
You are very welcome, Viraj. Glad I could help.
Ovidiu,
Due to a communication error, my friend brought me the 9293s instead of the 9290cc. Without this cleaning and charging unit, how badly am I – realistically speaking.
Is the manual cleaning too cumbersome, time consuming and laborious ?
Is it worth while to seriously attempt to return and replace it?
Thank you for your prompt response
Viraj
Hi Viraj,
The cleaning itself is not difficult, in fact it’s pretty much the same as cleaning any other (waterproof) foil shaver: quick and easy. The problem is caused by the design of the cassette that makes it likely for some hairs and dirt to remain trapped inside. That’s why I think a cleaning station can really be useful and I tend to recommend it in the case of Braun shavers (Series 5 and up). Performing an automatic cleaning every once in a while will take care of that and you can simply remove the cartridge and store it afterward. I would try to contact the seller and if there is this possibility and doesn’t imply excessive extra costs (with shipping and all), I think I would try to replace it. Between a 9293s and a 9290cc, I would take the latter (usually the price difference is pretty small and there are cheap third-party cleaning solutions too).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have some 3-in-1 machine oil that specifies SAE 20 for motors 1/4 horsepower or larger. Is this too thick to use on a Braun
Hi Robert,
I would have to say that yes, it is too thick for oiling a shaver.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
How is almond oil for lubricating my razor?
Hi Farhan,
I would strongly recommend against using any oils that are fit for human consumption. Stick to light lubricants like clipper oil or sewing machine oil. You can’t go wrong with them. They also won’t go rancid. 🙂
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi
what about Philips HQ200/50? if i use this 1 or 2 times a week, do i need to lube?
silicon spray,good or bad?
Hi Toni,
Using the Philips JetClean solution twice a week should suffice. I would advice against using any silicon based sprays for lubricating shavers and trimmers.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Very useful advices. I have just got a Philips saver 610 and intend to start using it in a day or two. I am 81 and my beard is quite thin but I shave every day. In addition to cleaning it with hot tap water and liquid soap what am I to apply for lubrication
g it! AJOY ( ajoydg37@gmail. Com )
Hi Ajoy,
Thank you for your comment and for being a reader of this website. As mentioned in the article, you can use either a dedicated lubricating spray like Remington Shaver Saver or any light lubricant like clipper oil or sewing machine oil.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Does Williams electric shave oil my Braun shaverhead? If so will it only be necessary to use it an not have to use light oil as well.
Hi Ed,
The Williams Lectric Shave is a pre-shave lotion intended to prime the skin and hairs for a closer and more comfortable shave. It will minimize the friction between the foils and the skin. It may have some lubricating effect for the shaver. However, that effect will be minimal to non-existent as the lotion needs to evaporate completely before you start shaving. The lotion has an oily texture, but that certainly won’t be enough. I highly recommend lubricating your electric shaver as described in the article.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have a Braun shaver and want to make sure I understand the oiling process correctly. Put one drop of oil on top of the foil and then run the shaver a few seconds for the oil to distribute itself. Is that correct? No need to spread the oil out evenly with a finger across the foil? And no need to put oil directly onto the cutter block? Thank you.
Hi Scott,
That is correct. You only need a tiny amount of light oil, you definitely don’t want your shaver to be drenched in lubricant. There’s no need to put the oil directly on the cutter block, just one drop on each foil (in case your shaver has more than one) will suffice as the oil will enter through the perforations. Let the shaver run for 5 to 10 seconds holding it upright and you’re all set.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
That clears it up just fine Ovidiu. Thank you for answering my question!
Scott
If I may, I have one more question please. My Braun 190s is brand new and I shaved with it for the first time today. The 190s has just one large cutter block. After shaving I followed the instructions and cleaned it under hot water and some Soft Soap while running it, rinsed it thoroughly and let it air dry. After it dried I noticed a white build up on the sides of the blades in the cutter block, after just one use. I had to use the brush to remove it. What caused this build up after just one shave? Will this build up affect the cutting ability of the blades? Thank you, Scott
My guess would be that some dirt and/or soap remained lodged between the blades. I assume the Soft Soap was liquid and not a bar soap. If you removed the buildup carefully it shouldn’t affect the performance of the shaver. Just make sure to always clean it thoroughly after every use.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Yes I used liquid soap under hot water. The Braun 190s has just one cutter block and it is a large one. I’m guessing that maybe the large surface area of the blades might make it more prone to build up because I haven’t had this white powdery build up with other shavers. I think I will use the dry method of cleaning with the brush. It’s kind of a hassle to go through the process of water/soap, wait for it to dry, and then have to brush off build up. Daily use of the brush won’t dull the blades will it?
Scott
Normally there shouldn’t be any buildups after a proper cleaning with liquid soap and water. I’m still inclined to think that it was an isolated, one time thing. Soap and water is definitely the more effective way to clean your shaver, so I always recommend it if the shaver can be cleaned in this manner.
Brushing the cutting block carefully shouldn’t damage it, but it won’t be as effective for removing all the dirt, oils, debris, dead skin and fine hair clippings. Alternatively you could clean your shaver with the brush and do a more thorough cleaning after every three shaving sessions for example.
Just make sure to gently brush the area between the individual blades and never across the block from one end to the other — I hope this makes sense — and do not brush the foil as it will get damaged easily.
I will take your advice and stick with the soap and water method of cleaning it. And I’ll just use the brush to remove any build up remaining when it’s dry. Thank you very much for taking the time to explain things. You’ve been very helpful!
Scott
You are very welcome, Scott. I’m glad I could help.
Best,
Ovidiu
For really simple shavers like the Braun 1 Series or the Andis Pro Foil or Wahl Finale shavers, I just use a brush to clean off the hairs and dust from the cutter block and the foil housing (but not the foils proper). It is not too much trouble, and the shavers clean up well this way. I lube them after cleaning with Shaver Saver spray and occasionally with Andis Cool Care spray, which also disinfects the blade and foil. As Ovidiu wrote, I too find that the Shaver Saver spray is a better lubricant than the Andis spray, but it doesn’t disinfect.
i just got Panasonic Panasonic ES-LA63-S Arc4 and there is no instructions regarding using oil for lubrication only soap and water. should i use oil or not ?
Definitely yes. In the user’s manual it is explicitly mentioned in the cleaning section. You can check it out here (page 2, top right corner).
I have a Braun 340s-4 wet/dry foil shaver; I have been using the shaver for about 2 years in daily shaving, without changing the foil or cutter block as I clean it after every shave or maximum after every 2 shaves; I normally dry shave but from time to time I use the shaver with gel or foam and after cleaning it I put one or two drops of 3 in 1 sewing machine oil in the foil and cutter block or I have a spray that is special formulated for clippers, scissors and all electric cutting hair machines (including electric shavers foil or rotary) and then spray the cutting foil with it; the foil and cutter work just as good as new (obviously there’s been some wear using it for 2 years) as I shave every day and my bear is very think but the shaver shaves as good as new and so far it looks like the foil and cutter are in good condition to last few more months (I hope will last to the end of this 2018) then I may buy the replacement head assembly.
it shows that cleaning and lubricating your shaver pay off as it did with other shavers I have had in the past; the periodic cleaning and lubrication really works making your foil, cutter block and the heads for the rotary shavers last very long time for a good time of very close and and smooth electric shaving.
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience, Edinson. Two years and counting — that’s quite an achievement considering that you’ve been shaving daily. Like you said, this only goes to show that getting the basics right — cleaning and lubrication — can make a huge difference. Lately I started using again an aerosol cleaning spray (Remington Shaver Saver) in conjunction with my usual products for cleaning/oiling and the results are great.
My Sister got me this Braun Electric Razor for my Birthday I finally used it today.
I used first my Hair Clippers. this was the 1st time I ever used electric Razor.
It has its own Cleaning solution but I was wondering if I should have used the Clipper Oil before I even used the damn thing for the first time.
After use your supposed to put it in the cleaning station.
Which is what I did.
The Electric Razor cut me a couple times.
I wish it would have come with a Beard and mustache trimmer
because it had a hard time getting some of that hair.
I also have this Ancient Norelco.
I used to shave with a 4 blade Razor but those replacement cartridges are so expensive.
I got the Hair Clippers to cut down the length of my facial hair before I shave.
That has worked well. My Barber recommended lubricating the blades on the Electric Shaver. Using it for the first time was pretty brutal. certain spots I had to use the regular disposable razor for.
Hi Meren,
Thank you for your comment. Since this is your first electric shaver, it will take some time until you’ll be able to get a very satisfactory result. Your technique will get better and your skin needs some time to adjust to the new shaving method. If you use the cleaning station regularly there’s no need for additional lubrication. And yes, electric shavers usually work best on short facial hair, so using a trimmer beforehand is a very good idea if you have a longer beard.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I own an philips bg2024 body shaver
I’ve used it for dry and wet shave. How should I lubricate it?
It says no oil needed. Should i do anything bout it because i dont want it to be overheated
Hi,
If you clean it with soap and water you could put a drop of clipper oil (or other light lubricant like sewing machine oil) on the foil and the two trimmers. An electric shaver spray cleaner can be used as well. Just make sure that the shaver is dry before applying any lubricant.
Hi Ovidiu
Thanks a lot for all the information, it’s very helpful. Would you recommend the use of the Fellowes performance oil?
Hi Jorge,
Thank you for your comment. I would recommend against using the Fellowes oil on your electric razor, it’s basically a vegetable oil (most likely canola) that can gum up the blades.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Wow, that was a fast response! Thank you very much. I’m bookmarking your site. It’s awesome.
You are welcome, Jorge! I’m glad I could be of help.
How about Williams Lectric Shave? It has oils in it so if I use that as a pre-shave lotion every time i shave then will that be enough to keep the blades oiled?
Hi Allan,
In my opinion oiling your shaver would still be necessary. Williams Lectric Shave contains several alcohols that do have some lubricating properties, but it is applied to your face and it evaporates completely within 15 seconds or so. It’s simply not enough to effectively reduce the friction between the blades and the foils. I would strongly recommend you to use some light lubricating oil or a spray lubricant like the ones mentioned in the post.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks Ovidiu. 🙂
I just bought an Andis foil shaver, and I’m confused cuz nowhere in the instructions does it say oil between time and time. So are these shavers excluded from using oil or any type of lubricant on them? I even searched the net and no one has mentioned anything about this also. Thanks in advance!
Hi Jason,
Just like any other foil shaver, this one also requires lubrication on a regular basis — despite the manufacturer not mentioning it.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Brush the cutter block and foil housing (but not the foil proper) to clean out hairs and dust, and spray the cutter block and foil with Shaver Saver or Andis Cool Care to lube the shaver.
Hi, I have no experience with electric razor, I have just bought one Panasonic Arc 5, yes, I don’t want to get disappointed so I went for something that on every review has proven to be good. The model comes with the cleaning station and as per your advice then it’s better not to use any oil while the Panasonic cleaner lasts (maybe 2 months) because the cleaning formula also lubricates the blades. After that time what would be better in case I don’t want to buy more Panasonic cleaner ¿do you have any formula that could do the same function? There are many diys for making a substitute for Braun cleaner but as far as I understand it’s different from the Panasonic cleaner because one is alcohol based and the other is not. I have not find any diy to substitute Panasonic cleaner. Thank you, interesting reading.
Hi Cristian,
That is correct — Panasonic uses detergent, while Braun’s cleaning solution is alcohol-based. As a result, you can’t use a diy solution intended for Braun.
Unfortunately Panasonic is not as popular as Braun, so there aren’t any generic substitutes for their cleaning packs. At least none that I’m aware of.
I wouldn’t worry too much though; if you decide to stop using the station, Panasonic shavers are very easy to clean manually and lubrication literally takes seconds. Just make sure to use a light oil like the ones recommended in this post or a dedicated spray lubricant like Remington Shaver Saver.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu, thanks for your fast answer, you are right, it seems that cleaning the Panasonic shavers is fast with a little of liquid hand soap and using the sonic vibration cleaning mode according to the instructions, rinse with water and use the dry function of the cleaning station. As I understand just before shaving again I should lubricate with a drop of one of the light oils recommended (Whals hair clipper blade oil is what I can get fast). One drop per foil means that I should add 5 drops of oil for an Arc 5? From inside or outside of the foil? Should I wait until it dries again to shave or I can just absorb the excess oil with tissue paper and shave immediately? Thank you in advance
Hi Cristian,
That is correct, one small drop on the outside of each foil (amounting to 5 drops). After that turn the shaver on for around 5 seconds so the oil can coat the blades evenly and use a paper towel to absorb any excess. That’s pretty much it, you can then proceed to shave as usual. I have been using this routine for years with excellent results.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I note that you do not recommend silicon based lubricants for shavers. I bought recently a Panasonic shaver and purchased a well known shaver retailer’s own silicon based spray lubricant which I have been using daily for two and a half months. Have I done irrepairable harm to my shaver?
I also note that you apply lubricant to your shaver immediately before shaving. When you clean your razor immediately after shaving does the liquid soap immediately strip the lubricating oil from the shaver meaning that the shaver only has the benefit of the lubrication for a few minutes each day? Does that matter?
Sincerely, Kevin
Hi Kevin,
I do not recommend general purpose silicon-based lubricants; a spray lubricant for electric shavers will of course work and won’t cause any damage.
Generally yes, cleaning the shaver with soap will also remove any form of lubrication. If you’re only using water, then there’s no need to apply a lubricant before every shave (once a week would be enough).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu, is there any sort of DIY liquid I can use to substitute the panasonic cleaner?
Hi Giacomo,
I think you can use some alternatives, the safest being the concentrated detergent from Shaver Shebang. That’s a tried and tested product that works well with the Panasonic stations and the price is usually a lot more convenient than the Panasonic detergent packs. Other DIY solutions may not work well with the cleaner (excessive foaming, erroneous level indicator and so on).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Can I use my t outliner oil with the panosonic
Yes, clipper oil should work just fine.
Hi I am new to these kind of shavers after I cleaned it with soap and water I dried it with a cloth a put the top on when I turned it back on water was in it should I leave it out to dry ? Second question when using shaving cream I should oil it with 5 drops of oil before every shave
Hi,
The shaver must be perfectly dry before lubricating it, so it’s better to let it air dry completely after you clean it. It doesn’t really matter when you oil it; I prefer to do it right before shaving as I know my shaver will be completely dry. A single drop of oil on each of the foils will be enough.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Can tung oil be used to lubricate an electric shaver cutting head ?
I would strongly recommend against using it to lubricate your shaver.
I shave maybe twice a week if that. Lubricating twice a week is provably excessive don’t you think? I was figuring that you would shaving everyday for that schedule . So I figured about every 3 shaves or am I wrong here?
Hi Brad,
Twice a week is a general recommendation, but there are of course cases where it would be excessive or not enough. One must lubricate an electric shaver when it lacks lubrication and cleaning a shaver with soap and water would remove any traces of oil. For example, I always clean my razors in this manner and if I were to shave daily than I would need to lubricate my shaver 7 times a week.
So in your situation, if you only use a brush or do a quick rinse with water (no soap), then I guess once every 3 shaves would be enough.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
thanks
I’m embarrassed. I’m a stickler for reading instructions. Normally. The only cleaning I’ve ever done is using my vacuum on my razor after shaving. It easily removes hair and dead skin cells from my razor. After reading this, my face is very red. I guess I need to start washing, drying and oiling. Right? It is a Panasonic ES2216 and still works great..I think…
Hi Helen,
At least every once in a while a thorough cleaning would be highly recommended. Your ES2216 is fully waterproof, so you can easily clean it with a bit of liquid soap and warm tap water. As for oiling, you should do it at least after every cleaning that involves soap.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
please post a tutorial video, too. I bought Andis Clipper Oil and I have a Panasonic ES-RT37 shaver. Thank you.
Hi Ovidiu,
Thanks for this article, it helped a lot. After reading it, I did oil my braun shaver and man, I could feel the difference. It gave me a buttery smooth and close shave. I also have Wahl super taper and I used the oil that came along with it. However, I will try using a sewing machine oil now as it’s less expensive compared to shaver oils. I hope the result will be the same!
Thanks again!
Hi Kedar,
You are very welcome, I’m glad you found the article useful. I’ve used sewing machine oil for years with very good results, so definitely give it a try.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you Ovidiu. After years using a 5 Blade and shaving cream, pulled out my Norelco Philips 7310. Went to the hardware store and was told to use 3 in 1 multi purpose oil (similar to light sewing machine oil)
Realized after fact used too much oil so ran the shaver until it needed to be recharged. Can’t wait to get my Remington Shaver Saver spray from Walgreen’s.
Best,
Marc
You are very welcome, Marc. Glad you found the information useful. Yes, when it comes to oiling a shaver a little bit goes a long way. I’ve tried various spray lubricants specifically designed for electric shavers and so far the one from Remington is still the best in my opinion.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Just got my shaver, a Panasonic ES-LV65-S and noticed that there was no oil supplied in the box, nor does the manual mention anything about lubricating the foils. Should I just go ahead and lubricate the foils anyhow?
Best regards,
Colin
Hi Colin,
It would be highly recommended to lubricate the foils and blades on a regular basis. It is a bit surprising that your ES-LV65-S didn’t include a small bottle of lubricant as well. My unit (bought from Europe) did come with one. You can also use sewing machine oil or clipper oil, both work really well.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Strange, because mine was bought from the US (via Amazon) and the oil and brush was not included; even the manual says nothing about it. Got confused there for a moment…
Also, could I know exactly which sewing machine oil which you use for your shaver? Will go out to hunt for one soon.
Thanks,
Colin
Hi Colin,
Mine is just a generic brand I found at a local store here in Romania. Any will do as long as it’s a light oil (and all sewing machine oils are). Alternatively, clipper oil will work just as well. The one from Wahl is inexpensive and I’ve used it with very good results on both foil and rotary shavers.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Colin, Wahl or Oster clipper oil both for well and are available on Amazon in then USA.
I have a Braun Series 7. Is it okay to use 3-in-one multi purpose oil for the foil & cutter cassette?
While in theory it should work, I don’t think a multi-purpose oil is thin enough to be used on electric shavers. I would stick to the options mentioned in the post.
Hi Ovidiu,
I was wondering why nowhere in the manual for my Panasonic Lamdash/Arc4 ES8243 does it mention applying oil. I reached out to Panasonic USA to ask about why the US market Arc shavers don’t include or recommend oil and their response was that the US market Arc shavers are built to different specifications than the European and Asian market ones, even though they may seem like the same shavers, and that no oil is required for the US shavers. I’m not sure if I believe their response. What do you think?
-Chris H
Hi Chris,
I would take their answer with a pinch of salt. To be honest, it doesn’t make any sense. I’ve bought dozens of Panasonic shavers from all over the world and the differences are only related to power plugs or included accessories. Also, there aren’t any Panasonic replacement foils and blades made specifically for the US market, they all have the same part number; I honestly can’t imagine how are they any different. The friction between two metal parts with no lubrication will always wear them out a lot faster.
By the way, I bought my ES-LF51-A Arc 4 from the USA and after a couple of months of use, the foils would get extremely hot during my shave if I didn’t apply any oil or spray lubricant beforehand. So I would strongly recommend you to disregard their advice.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you Ovidiu. I think that’s sound advice and I agree, their response just doesn’t make sense.
Hi Ovidiu, thank you so much for good article.
I’ve been using the Braun 7 Series(9565) for 13 years. And I still have half of ‘Appliance oil’ that Braun gave me when I bought this product for the first time. Can I use 13 years old ‘Appliance oil’? Or do I have to buy a new one? What’s the maximum time limit for Braun’s ‘Appliance oil’ use?
Thank you in advance for your answer.
Hi Jay,
Thank you for your comment, glad you found the article useful. Braun doesn’t specifically mention what their lubricant contains — I’m guessing it’s a highly refined petroleum-based oil with some additives — but it’s usually a few years. If it doesn’t have a funky smell it should still have some lubricating properties so I guess it would work. However, I would advise against using it on an electric shaver. I think it’s best to be on the safe side, so my recommendation would be to simply buy a new one.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Do you recommend using mineral oil to lubricate a Braun Series 7 shaver?
Clipper and shaver lubricants are usually based on mineral oils, so it should work.
I just bought a Clio electric shaver and I don’t have any mineral oil or sewing machine oil, will it cause issues if I use baby oil for the first time instead?
It shouldn’t be an issue (most baby oils are mineral based). I do however recommend getting an appropriate lubricant (clipper oil, sewing machine oil and so on).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have a Braun Silk epil 9 which has a regular shaver head that I use. The instructions indicate to lubricate it every three months. I have been unable to find out how to do this. Do I lubricate it as you have shown above on each foil? Thanks for any help you can give me.
Hi Kathryn,
If you’re referring to the foil shaving head attachment, then yes, you should lubricate it just like you would do with a regular electric shaver (a drop on each shaving element).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Great! Thanks for your help Ovidiu.
Kathryn Shepard
Can one use WD40 on electric shaver head?
I would advise against using penetrating oils like WD40. They can also irritate the skin.
Hi,
Can Andis clipper oil be used with Braun trimmer and body groomer?
Thanks.
Hi Raj,
Yes, Andis clipper oil will work just fine.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Here are two questions and one comment (with additional question) about using Remington Shaver Saver:
1) With all aerosol cans I find it hard to control the amount of spray. If you press nozzle hard, even for a short time, too much comes out, not hard enough and it just sputters. So to get any amount at all, I usually end up with what seems like too much. If I let the shaver air-dry overnight, will that solve getting rid of the excess, of should I wipe down the foils (a bit tricky on a Braun whose inner part cannot be disassembled)?
2) Can the Remington Shaver Saver be used to lubricate the Braun Series 3 slide-out hair trimmer, and if so, do you just give it the same one spray across like you say for the foils?
Thanks for your posts, Ovidiu. I have the Braun Series 3 ProSkin, and its instructions only mention applying lubrication after using water to clean up a wet shave. Since I have only been dry shaving, I’ve been ignoring that for the month or so I’ve had it, so I am very glad to have run across your posts. Otherwise I would have obviously worn out the foils much sooner than necessary. Oh, and that brings up another question:
3) Supposedly on my model, there is some indicator that will signal when it determines it’s time to replace the foils. That’s helpful, but I was wondering if you have any suggestions on how to tell directly when it’s really time, especially since I suspect they have it set for a pretty conservative (i.e. low) replacement period, given there is likely a wide range that depends on effectiveness of the lubrication regimen applied?
Hi Nick,
Thank you for your comment. Those are some excellent points.
1) Leaving the shaver air dry overnight is all it takes. There’s no need to wipe down the excess spray lubricant, I do however recommend putting the shaving head back and turning the shaver on for a few seconds. After that, I prefer to remove the shaving head and let it air dry (so that the air can circulate freely).
And speaking of controlling the amount of spray, I never had that issue with the Remington Shaver Saver as it pulverized the lubricant evenly and in just the right amount. On the other hand, the atomizer on the Braun Shaver Cleaner was really bad at distributing a fine mist of product — it would always squirt a lot. But even so, by the next day, everything was perfectly dry.
2) Absolutely, just apply the product on trimmer blades. You don’t have to do it as often either, there are just two metal blades shearing against each other, while the blades and foils of the shaving head are more susceptible to wear.
3) That indicator is basically a timer that keeps track of the total time you’ve been using the shaver. And that alone is not enough to accurately assess when it’s time to replace the shaving head. You will definitely notice a performance drop when that time comes. If it starts to yank the hairs, the closeness and comfort are not as good and the foils get really hot, it’s probably time to replace the head.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks again for all the thorough detail in your response, Ovidiu!
What you say makes perfect sense and is pretty much what I had thought, but it is really great to get confirmation from someone like you, who has obviously already had a lot of experience and thought carefully about it.
It’s possible the nozzle on my Remington Shaver Saver is not as good as typical, or maybe I have just been too cautious, because if I try to “slow down” a full blast by not pressing it all the way down, then I always get a completely useless sputter. But if you say there is no need to worry about any excess, I can get the job done with a single full blast each, inside and out, together with a very very quick sideways swipe. Obviously exact aiming is impossible, but the method I describe looks like it covers everything with a bit of waste that, while I was hoping to avoid it, sounds like it can be safely neglected. And indeed, I was already doing the “spreading around” routine of right away running a few seconds with head back on, then taking it off again to let it air dry overnight.
Best, Nick
Hey Nick,
You are very welcome. It is entirely possible to have a faulty nozzle, however from your comment, it should still be perfectly fine. No need to worry about perfect aiming or some excess product — in the case of lubricating sprays. I do wipe the excess when I apply a few drops of machine or clipper oil, but with something like the Shaver Saver, that’s not an issue. The product is much thinner/watery and the head will still be perfectly dry after a while.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Is there a shaver foil oil that doesn’t smell ? I found sewing machine oil has a strong smell on face cheers Mike
Hi Mike,
That is true, some of the fine machine oils have a rather potent smell. The Wahl Clipper oil doesn’t smell at all for example and nor does the Panasonic shaver oil (although the latter can be more difficult to find and is pricier).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Have you used Eltron cleaner, the yellow liquid, as a cleaner and if so, what is the best way to use it? I was told to put it in a jar, dip the blades in and turn the shaver on to turbo mode (Panasonic Arc-4) Then rinse, dry and spray with the spray lube. Do this once a week.
I’m afraid I cannot provide any feedback since I haven’t had the chance to use it yet.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
If you use the braun cleaning station, should you still use appliance oil?
No, if you use the station regularly (ie after every shave), there’s no need to oil the blades yourself.
–Ovidiu
I have a Philishave type HP 1318 3-head rotary shaver. It’s a dry shaver that I have had since 1985. With respect to sewing machine oil use on the rotary heads, should I also apply this oil to the internal workings of the motor that drives the 3 rotary heads? I recently had the shaver apart & replaced the rechargeable batteries and wondered if sewing machine oil would be beneficial or detrimental to the nylon gears and other internal workings in the motor?
I would stick to lubricating only the metal parts that shear against each other — the blades and combs.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi
I’ve always found that when I buy an electric shaver anywhere between £25 and £200 the cutting blades become poor within one month. I’ve recently bought a Panasonic ES-LV65-S on your recommendation but it has followed the same pattern as all my previous shavers – i.e. It gave me a clean dry shave within four minutes when brand new but by the time one month had elapsed the shaving time for the same result increased to around fourteen minutes. I’ve also read your article on lubricating shavers and until reading it I was not aware of just how regularly this should be done. Until now I’ve only done it about twice a year. Do you think this will make all the difference? Because until now I’ve just assumed that my hair must be particularly tough causing the blades to go blunt within weeks.
Hi Tony,
In my experience it will definitely make a difference. If you can get it, try the Remington Shaver Saver lubricating spray. It workes wonders on my older Panasonic shavers that don’t cut as well anymore.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi I have a Norelco Sensotouch wet dry shaver with a cleaning station do I still need to lubricator my shaver because I’ve never done it ? Also how often should I use the cleaning station ?
Hi Robin,
If you use the cleaning station, there’s no need to lubricate the shaver yourself. There’s no definitive answer to often you should use the station; once a week would be a good compromise for example.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
This article was a big help. Thank you kindly for sharing the information!
Thank you for your kind words. Glad you found the post informative.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello,
Can I use rosehip oil on an inexpensive Wahl electric razor?
Hello Harry,
It may have some lubricating properties, but I would still recommend sticking to one of the options recommended in the article.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello Ovidiu,
Thank you very much for the wealth of information on your site! I have a Braun 7-series and a Panasonic Arc 5 shavers. Can I use Ballistol oil to lubricate them?
Hey,
Thank you, glad you found it useful. Ballistol oil is suitable for moving metal parts, however the manufacturer never explicitly mentions clippers and shavers which are a very specific subset of machines and require light, lubricating (not penetrating) oils. Personally, I haven’t used Ballistol oil, so I’m afraid I can’t recommend it at this point.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you very much! I appreciate your thoughtful reply! I purchased Oster Premium Blade Lube for Clippers and Blades https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00063KI5I?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title.
Thanks again!
VB
No problem. I’ve only read good things about the Oster lubricant and I think I will eventually get it as well.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi, I feel lost, can you clarify. If I’m using a spray cleaner/lubrication (Walhs), do I clean before each use, after each use, or both? You mentioned in your article that clippers must be dry when adding spray lubrication, but how do I use the spray cleaner and lubrication combo? Thanks
Hi,
A spray cleaner for electric shavers also acts as a lubricant, so it wouldn’t be necessary to lubricate in addition to using the spray. If you clean your shaver with water (and soap), then it must be dry before using either a spray lubricant or oil. You can use oil and start shaving right away, but if you use a spray lubricant, you should wait until the product dries before shaving. Hope I understood correctly your question, if not, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
I was wondering if I have ruined my Remington PG6025 by not lubricating it in the last 3 years. I only use it with the foil attachment maybe once a week for a few hairs on my face because I didn’t want to start waxing or bleaching and plucking hurts. My ex had one and I tried it once and it worked like magic so I got one for myself but it started leaving a dark gray film on my skin (that didn’t come off easy, I had to use a sugar scrub to remove it). I have cleaned & washed it several times after this started but it isn’t helping. Not sure if I can just order a replacement foil attachment & put some lubricant or if I should just purchase a new one.
Thanks in advance,
Missy
Hi Missy,
A gray film resulting from using a shaver can either be very fine hairs (mixed with moisture and forming a film) or some metal shaving, usually a sign of worn foils/blades. While three years is quite a long period, in this case, the foil attachment was only used once a week for shaving a few (fine) hairs, so the wear will be a lot less than in the case of a shaver used daily by a man (with coarse facial hair).
Ideally, you would only buy the foil attachment, however for this model, I don’t think you can purchase it separately. Remington doesn’t make these parts available for their inexpensive shavers/trimmers (only the combs are available as spare parts), so your only option would be to purchase a new kit. But before that, try cleaning the attachment with some warm water and liquid soap, then place a drop of light lubricant on the foil.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu
I can use Johnson baby oil or Andis Clipper Oil for lubricate braun 9293s
Hi Pavel,
You can definitely use the clipper oil from Andis, it will work great with electric shavers as well.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
This was very informative. My father is 92 and looking for an electric shaver to replace his 10 year old electric shavers. I’m his daughter and well I’ve read to much, I think. Everyone says something different. My father used to shave twice a day because of thick beard. It’s not as thick and he now shaves once a day. (Tje twice a day was so my Mom would have a soft face to enjoy. She passed away 4 years ago hence once a day now.) I’m looking for something that is easy to care for and give a close shave. Can you help me please.
Hi Marie,
Thank you for your comment. I am very sorry for your loss.
I would consider an electric shaver from Panasonic — they shave very close, are easy to clean and work great for daily use. As for which model to buy, that depends on your budget. The most reasonably priced are those from the Arc 3 line, like the ES8103S. If your budget allows it, you can also opt for an Arc 4 like the ES-LA63-S or ES8243A (whichever you can get at a better price).
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Can you use WD-40 Anti Friction & PTFE Lubricant to clean and lubricate a rotary shaver?
*****
This Anti Friction Dry PTFE Lubricant is formulated with PTFE, polytetrafluoroethylene, also known as Teflon. This means it’s non-stick, leaving behind a dry film that resists dirt, dust and oil. Plus it can work in most temperatures (from -40°C to +200°C) and on a variety of materials including metal, glass, vinyl, as well as most rubber and plastic surfaces.
*****
I would advise against using this type of products to lubricate rotary or foil shavers. A light, highly refined mineral oil like clipper oil or sewing machine oil is by far the safest and most effective option.
Can I use the oil I have to lubricate the belt on my treadmill on my shaver?
I think that is a rather thick silicone-based oil, so the answer would be no. For electric shavers, highly refined mineral lubricants (like fine machine oil, sewing machine oil, or clipper oil) are recommended.
Hello again
What’s your opinion about Philishave spray?
Thanks and regards
Hey,
Honestly, it is my least favorite one. It just doesn’t seem to provide the same level of lubrication as the Braun and particularly the Remington spray. But it’s definitely better than not using any at all.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
In my Braun S3, I use Braun, Philishave and wahl lubrificant. I’m from Portugal and there is not Remington spray in Market.
Can it work on epilators too?
Only if the epilator comes with a blade & foil attachment, that one should be lubricated. Otherwise, epilators that use tweezers do not require any lubricant.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi, I bought an Andis ProFoil lithium plus shaver to shave my head and there’s no mention of any kind of lubrications in the instructions but just to use the included brush for cleaning. I personally use a blower with a small attachment to get the hairs out and the included brush but I can’t get in-between the blades to get the skin dust out. Would you still recommend using any oils/ spray or water to clean it?
Hi Andrew,
Andis explicitly mentions that there’s no need to lubricate the blades of the ProFoil and that you shouldn’t use water at all. In this case I would use a spray cleaner & lubricant every once in a while after removing most of the hairs/dust with the brush or a can of compressed air.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu. You have a great and informative website. I especially liked your comparison of the old and new Braun series 7 shavers. I am using a series 7 (7893s) and would like to know if you think Ballistol would be an appropriate oil to use on it?
Hi Kunal,
Thank you for the kind words, glad you found the information useful. Actually another reader asked the exact same question and I replied here. I’m afraid I cannot give you a definitive answer.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for your prompt response. I’ve recently switched to electric shavers after wet shaving with DE razors for want of a quick and comfortable shave because of a difficult combination of curly hair, a very thick and dense stubble and sensitive skin. The Braun Series 7 has been perfect! I have a Panasonic arc 5 unopened which I received as a gift and have felt no need to even try it out.
I wet-shave with shaving cream and lubricate the blades on my panasonic only for the very occasional dry shave. (I clean the shaver with soap monthly, when the display suggests it’s time). Would you lubricate the blades between wet shaves also?
Thanks
I would, actually. From personal experience (I also wet shave with Panasonic razors quite often) I’d say that it’s a good idea to lubricate the blades after every water & soap cleaning. Just make sure the shaving head is dry before applying the lubricant.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello. I started using Braun 7 series a month ago and its my first experience with electric shaver at all. I recently started reading your articles , and I got a problem. After the first week of using , my shaver starts to pull my hairs (a little bit) , and the head was heating up very much after 3-4 minutes of using it. so I oil it with light sewing machine oil. But the oil that I was having was old and was become brown color, not that yellowish classic color. Anyway I oil it and after 1 shave , I oil it again, but then the head was getting really hot ,I even burned myself on the adams apple… do I “broke” the head of the shaver with that old oil ? (Sorry for my bad English, really)
Hi Ivan,
It’s unlikely, if the oil is old, its lubricating properties will be greatly diminished, but it will not break the cassette. I recommend cleaning the shaving head with warm water a bit of liquid soap and lubricate it again after it’s completely dry. But this time make sure to use a good product.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Yes , I will , I just bought a new pack of light sewing machine oil. My second question is should I oil the middle part of the casette , I mean between the two foils? If I was broke the casette , the display will show it , that it will be time to replace it right ? Thanks for the answer, Ovidiu!
Absolutely, the middle trimmer must be oiled as well. The display will not show anything if the cassette is broken; the notification to replace the cassette only shows up when an internal timer reaches a certain pre-defined value.
I’m askin about the middle part ,because that’s the part of casette ,which gets really hot and burned me the last time I shave..
It will be a problem if I drop two drops on each foil by mistake ,not one ? Should I wash it and reapply the oil again ?
Definitely not a problem and there’s no need to wash it. Just make sure to wipe any excess with a paper towel.
Sewing machine oil is very bad on the skin. It is best to use medicinal liquid paraffin oil, which is sold in pharmacies for a low price, as paraffin is a type of mineral oil.
Thank you for your comment, Emad. I am aware of this and since posting the original article I’ve been doing some research as well. While I haven’t personally had any issues with it, it would be safer to stick to paraffin oil. I will update the information accordingly.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you Ovidiu
I am making use of a lot from your articles on shavers
Hey Emad, where can I buy the pharma grade oil. When I look at drugstore websites I see mineral oil for constiaption relief but no mention of pharma or even usp grade. Could you share a product or brand link?
I have a problem with my Braun (original) Series 7: the head pivot is a little stiff. I can pivot it by hand, but it doesn’t move while shaving. I can’t figure out how to lubricate it, and I’m surprised no one else has experienced this. Any suggestions?
In time, some grime, dirt, hardened lather, mineral deposits from hard water etc. will end up inside the pivoting mechanism, causing it to partially jam. This is a lot more common with Panasonic shavers, but it can happen with any brands after years of use. I don’t know how effective it will be, especially since you have very limited access in the case of the Series 7, but try to remove any visible buildups using a toothpick or something similar. If that’s not possible, another option would be to use a bit of WD40 to loosen it up (it must be applied right in the two slots of the pivoting mechanism). Please be very careful though, I haven’t personally tried it and I really cannot guarantee anything.
Letting the shaving head soak in warm, soapy water could also help.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu – want to thank you sincerely for your thoughtful advice, practical reviews and comments. I’ve now bought three Panasonic shavers based on your reviews (I gave an old rotary to my father-in-law; he’s still grateful) and including a new one being delivered tomorrow. (Curiously, the Panasonic replacement foils and blades ares so expensive that it often makes sense to simply get a new razor.) Your observations are unuasually thoughtful, practical and honest — at least these days. Whoever/wherever you are – you are appreciated.
Thank you so much for the kind words, Steven. Electric shavers have become some sort of a hobby for me and I genuinely enjoy writing about them. If I can also help someone with my observations, then I’m truly glad.
You are right about Panasonic replacements, they have always been expensive and in certain cases, you’d be better off buying the whole shaver.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Immediately after shaving, spray or saturate the blades with rubbing alcohol while the blades are running. It will dry very quickly and displace the water or cut and oil that has come off skin. Then apply the light oil. Grandfather taught me that when I was first sprouting a few hairs— Just saying.
Thank you for your comment, Greg — much appreciated.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Great review! A comment on the Wahl oil. It has the caution: May be harmful or fatal if swallowed. Even if it’s still safe, I’m biased against it. Can you suggest a ‘safer’ alternative?
Thank you for your comment, Victor. The Wahl oil is basically a highly refined mineral oil, and so are the rest. I can only think of food-grade mineral oil as a safer alternative, but I am not sure that it has the right consistency for this use case. It must be really thin in order to be suitable for use on an electric shaver.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
After some research, it seems the warning is to protect children. Since we’re only adding a few drops to the foils I think it’s ok. I’m getting the Wahl oil Model 3310-300. Your oil link is for Animal Clippers, which probably works too but I rather join the human race 🙂
BTW, forgot to thank you! Your review was key to my purchase of the panny on Amazon Prime day under $100 (ok, the price helped too).
You are very welcome, Victor. It is perfectly ok to be used on electric shavers — after all it’s just clipper oil that’s also safe for pet groomers. On the bottle itself, the animal part is not even mentioned at all.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Can a lubricating oil, Wahl, etc, be added to the do it yourself Braun cleaner alcohol solution, adding lubricant, avoiding the separate lubrication step waiting for the shaver head to dry?
I haven’t seen any lubricating oil being added to the DIY recipes I’ve seen, although mineral oil does mix with alcohol. I couldn’t say if or how well it will work, I’m afraid (I haven’t tried it myself).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi,
I would like to start off by saying that this is a great article with very informative tips. On to my question:
I just purchased a Panasonic Arc 5 and I love it. I prefer cleaning it the way the manufacturer intended, which is placing a few drops of liquid soap on the foil head, adding some water and turning it on for a several seconds, until clean. I then add some Andis clipper/trimmer oil to each of the 5 outward blades/foil head.
Question:
1)
I still haven’t oiled the 2 inner blades with the Andis oil.
A)
If I wanted to just use the Andis, Wahl oil, etc on the outer and inner blades after cleaning and drying would I be able to?
B)
I know I should add it to the outer blades/foil head after every use, but how often, and can I at all, add it to the 2 inner blades?
2)
I am waiting on the arrival of the Remington Shaver Saver that you recommended.
A)
Can I use this on the 5 blades/outward foil head and the 2 inner blades as a complete substitute for the oil?
B)
Also, when I apply it to the inner blades do I have to disassemble everything like you did in the pic, or can I apply it directly to the outward blades/foil head and the 2 inner blades while they are still attached to the housing?
Thanks for the feedback,
Jake Carvalho
Hi Jake,
Thank you for your comment, I really appreciate it.
Regarding your questions:
1)
A) Yes, absolutely.
B) If you clean the shaver with water and soap (and I think that’s the best way), then my recommendation would be to use it after every cleaning. For example, you can clean the shaver with water and soap, let it dry, then simply oil it right before your (next) shave. At least that’s how I’ve been doing it for years.
Regarding the inner foils, there’s a reason why myself (and the manufacturers) recommend applying a drop of oil only to the outer foils. If you place the oil directly on the inner blade, it will just run off through the cutting blades. On the other hand, if you place it on the foil, it will stay on top and slowly flow through the holes, coating the blades when you turn on the shaver. You can also use your finger to distribute it across the entire length of the foil.
2)
A) Definitely. Also, in this case, I actually recommend spraying the inner blades as well.
B) That’s not required, you can leave the blades attached to the shaver. In fact, that’s how I do it most of the time.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hey Ovidiu,
It’s me again, lol. I’m still enjoying and caring for my Arc 5, although I only use it once in a while on a small part of my neck because I have a relatively long beard.
So, just to expand on my previous questions:
A) It’s okay to use the Remington spray on the two inner blades, directly, because it’s a spray and it will evenly and fully coat those particular blades? As opposed to the Andis oil, which will just run off if I apply the lubricant directly to the two inner blades, correct?
B) So can I just apply the oil (after it’s clean, dry and closed back up) to the outer foil and, turn on the shaver, let it run for a few seconds, letting the oil drip onto the two inner blades?
C) Then, once in a while, disassemble the shaver and apply the Shaver Saver to the foil and cutting head on a paper towel like you demonstrate and explain, above?
The latter, entirely, is how I’ve been doing it.
Once again, thank you for putting so much work into helping people like me, who really like to take care of there items; particularly expensive ones that we use regularly, and apply to our face… and sometimes “other areas”, but there are dedicated machines for that nowadays, thank God. Do you have a Patreon?
Regards,
Jake
P.S. I hope and pray that you and your family are doing well in these difficult times. Take care, Ovidiu.
Hi Jake,
We are all well, thank you, hope you’re staying safe as well.
Regarding your questions:
A) Absolutely, in fact, that’s the way you should do it, by spraying the blades directly.
B) Also yes.
C) That sounds like an excellent routine, I find that the spray does make a big difference, especially when the blades are starting to wear out. Using it alongside the oil is ideal in my opinion.
I do not have a Patreon account, but I truly appreciate your support, that’s very thoughtful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Love your comments and information. I have a spray from Philips that describes itself as a cleaner spray. There are no instructions about its use. The spray seems less oily than the Remington spray that is sold in Australia under the Shaver Shop label. I rather like the smell of the Philips but I am not sure if its the right product for my Panasonic.
Hi Bruce,
Thank you for your comment. The Philips cleaning spray will certainly work for your Panasonic shaver. I personally don’t like it as much as the ones from Remington and Andis because its lubricating properties don’t seem to be as good, but it will definitely do the job just fine. For more details on how to apply the spray, I wrote detailed guide here.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I became the proud owner of Panasonic ES-LA63-S Arc4. Now I’m waiting to receive it. Tell me please, do I need to start using the lubricant right away or don’t I need it on a new pack?
which of these two is better to use:
https://www.amazon.com/Wahl-Hair-Clipper-Blade-3310-300/dp/B0084AWBRS/ref=sr_1_16?_encoding=UTF8&c=ts&dchild=1&keywords=Hair+Clippers+%26+Accessories&qid=1608112956&s=beauty&sr=1-16&ts_id=7706130011
or
https://www.amazon.com/Wahl-Pro-wahl-Clipper-Trimmers-Clippers/dp/B002ETF36G/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=yikrj&pf_rd_p=07442e57-5bbc-4b36-bdb2-92a549250cee&pf_rd_r=YM0TSWB1VRD5R34D1S89&pd_rd_r=163d8416-c828-4842-9aad-02eaf0ceb0ae&pd_rd_wg=Af619&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_d
?
Hi Levan,
You don’t need to lubricate the shaver before you use it for the first time. Either of the two oils will work perfectly fine.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for fast answer and your advise Ovidiu,
What a great article. I buy/sell shavers on eBay and have used electrics for 45 years. Four years ago, I got rid of my dying rechargables and bought plug in only as I was tired of charging/discharging, and dead batteries. But, just bought the Remington F5-5800, haven’t tried it yet, I am concerned at my age about the effects of EMF, electrical magnetic fields and possible impacts on different types of cancer. Now, I have to say your lubrication recommendations are superb. In my F5 5800 brochure, Remington stopped recommending their usual advice on using oil. I feel they are trying to sell more foils and cutters by not recommending oil on foils…and not spraying cutters. They say liquid soap, but to me that can dull the blades and water has deposits, and by not recommending oiling of the foils, that is a disservice, but may sell more replacement parts. The only things I do differently on my own and shavers I sell, I use a Q-tip dipped in alcohol to clean the inside/outside of the foil before I lubricate it. Also, I put a drop of oil on the inside of the foil as that is where the cutters hit; however, on the outside as you recommend will work fine as it will seep under the foil. Few people really know how to take care of an electric shaver. As you so accurately put, lubrication is very important. Thanks.
Thank you so much for your comment, Bob, I really appreciate it. I strongly believe that lubrication is beneficial despite some manufacturers not explicitly recommending it anymore.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for the information. I like how it was organized.
You are very welcome, Ray, glad you found it useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have enjoyed using me Braun Series 5 for 3 years and it’s been great. Recently, the oil light/icon will not go off, even though I oiled it. I have to admit that previously, I wasn’t oiling the shaver as I used it infrequently.
How do get the light/icon to go off?
Hi Michael,
There isn’t an oil icon on the Series 5 or on any shaver from what I know. Can you describe the icon or share a link to a picture of it?
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Good day, Sir
I just got replacement blades for my ES-LV65 and I have to ask you – do I need to lubricate brand new blades out the box or are they good to use as they come?
Cheers!
Hi Mike,
No, there’s no need to lubricate a brand new shaver or new replacement parts.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello, Ovidiu
I noticed in some of your rotary reviews that rotaries need less lubrication than foils to perform well, like a few week in between.
Why do you think this is and if I shave 3 times a week could I get away with lub once a month (water only wash after shave)?
Nice site by the way, your insight seems to agree with other experiences.
Hey,
Thank you for your comment. That is true, rotary shavers generally require less lubrication. There are few reasons for that:
– there’s less friction between the blades and the combs. With foil shavers, the blades usually rub right against the foils (much tighter tolerances). Also, because the foils are very thin, they can flex and push against the blades even more, increasing the friction;
– the combs and blades are a lot thicker than the foils/blades of foil shavers, so the wear isn’t that serious;
– the rotation speed of the cutters is significantly lower (around 1000 rpm compared to over 10 000 cycles in the case of most foil razors). So there’s less friction, less heat and less wear during a shaving session.
As for the frequency of lubrication, I would still do it like once a week, but I think you can get away with doing it less often, especially if you’re only using water.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I wonder, are these blade shaving oils cancerous? Do you use your lubricated shaver while your face is full of shaving cream?
These clipper oils are basically highly refined mineral/paraffin oils. Since the products are approved to be used on personal care items like shavers and clippers, they probably have a very safe profile. That said, I am not an expert in this area and you should consult an official source like the FDA or EFSA websites for more details.
You can use a lubricated shaver for both dry and wet shaving, it doesn’t really matter.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu:
Following your recommendations for a close shave, I just bought the Panasonic ARC5 ES-LV95-s. Excellent shaving results, with no irritations o razor burns, even though I am new at Foil Razors. I had been using a Remington R-5130 rotatory razor for the last 5 years but I was not getting the close results I was looking for without getting some irritation, razor burns, and some ingrowing hairs.
My question is in regards to lubricating the razors since you stated in this same article in regards to the use of oil for lubricating the machine: “…If you regularly use a cleaning station with your electric razor, then there’s no need for additional lubrication as the solutions used for cleaning also act as a lubricant…” so, don’t I need to put some drops of Wahl Clipper Oil on the foils or use some the Remington Shaver Saver Spray on the blades and foils (I have both products) in order to keep the razor lubricated?
I performed, for learning purposes, and as instructed by the manufacturer manual, a cleaning session with water and hand soap first, and then I clean, dried, and charged the Panasonic ARC5 ES-LV95-s with the automatic cleaning station, with the liquid detergent that comes with the set.
Thanks, a lot for all your content in this shaving matter, and also would like to see in the near future some articles in regards to grooming for the rest of the body.
God bless you!
Hi Victor,
Many thanks for the kind words, glad you found the information useful and you’re happy with your Arc 5. It should be a significant jump in performance from the R-5130.
Regarding your question, that is correct, if you clean the shaver using the station you do not need to oil the blades as the cleaning solution will provide sufficient lubrication.
I did post a few reviews of body groomers if you want to check them out (there will be more content on that topic as well in the future).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Through many experiments to lubricate the Braun Series 9 shaver, I discovered that the best way is to put the oil on the blades while they are still wet, and then leave them to dry. The contact of the oil with my skin during shaving caused me redness in the skin, but after I followed this method, the comfort and proximity to shaving was very improved, in addition to Reverse the order of the blades so that the titanium blade becomes the second in the order, not the third, and the razor becomes great (sorry that this is a Google translation)
Hi Emad,
Thank you for sharing this. I recommend wiping off the excess oil on the outside of the foils with a paper towel just to avoid smearing the oil on the skin and possibly causing any unwanted reactions. It’s great that you’ve found a way that works well for you, however I’m not sure if it’s entirely related to the lubricating routine. Maybe it has more to do with reversing the cassette. Also, that method can’t really be used by someone who lubricates the blades right before shaving as the water/moisture will negatively affect the quality of a dry shave. But again, as long as you’re getting good results, you should continue doing it.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you Ovidiu
I follow all your articles about electric shavers with great interest
After shaving, I wash the electric razor with soap and water, then rinse it well with water, then put a drop of pure paraffin oil on each blade, then let it dry for the next day and thus be completely dry when shaving.
It is the same idea of the cleaning machines that come with electric gels. In Braun, oil is mixed with alcohol, and in Panasonic, oil is mixed with a group of detergents and water.
You are very welcome, Emad, glad you found the information useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
dear ovidiu
fantastic website, tons of info and deep dive into details. just too good – your patience level
is insane to cater to all our queries on a professional level. appreciate it brother
my question is : – sewing machine oil smells industrial , do you think you can recommed something thats smells also nice as its come onto your face directly/indirectly .
braun spray and cc station smells nicer but expensive affair.
baby oils are good but can you suggest something with a brand so we can buy it rest assured that you have allready done the research part of it.
thank you so much once again .
cheers brother.
Hey,
Thank you so much, you are way too kind — glad you found the site useful.
You are right about the sewing machine oil (it’s also the reason why I stopped recommending it). In my opinion the most convenient (and also effective) would be a highly refined mineral/paraffin oil. As a side note, most baby oil brands use mineral oil. Two brands that I personally use are Wahl and Oster’s blade lube that I mentioned in the post. They are intended to be used on hair clippers, but work great for electric shavers as well and to my nose, they are completely odorless.
As for lubricating sprays, the Andis Cool Care Plus is also cheap and comes in a large recipient that will last forever. Another cheapie would be Philips’ cleaning spray, at least where I live it’s cheap and widely available. It also smells fresh and clean.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Great website Ovidiu, thanks for your dedication. I have just began using a Braun 3000s, I use this dry about 3 times per week, I still also use a razor for a normal wet shave twice weekly, will this stop my skin from properly conditioning itself to using the electric shaver? Re lubrication on the 3000s, do I just put 1 drop of clipper oil on each of the 2 foils on the cassette, or do I also need to put a drop on the middle section between the 2 foils which I believe is used to catch longer hairs.
Thanks
Hey,
Thank you so much for the comment, glad you found the site useful.
Ideally, you’d want to stick to just one method of shaving. However, some users are affected to a much lesser degree, so if you get good results with your 3000s even though you alternate between it and a razor blade, I don’t really see a problem.
Regarding the lubrication, definitely put a drop on the middle trimmer as well, that one can get quite hot as well.
Also, just a quick tip regarding your particular shaver. It comes equipped with the 21b shaving head, but the 32b that normally comes with the ProSkin models is compatible as well. So when it’s time to replace it, you might as well upgrade to the 32b which doesn’t cost a lot more, but it is superior despite looking almost the same (more comfortable and it’s better with flat-lying hairs).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for the quick reply Ovidiu, I should have said my shaver is the ProSkin 3000bt, the ProSkin 3000s with the trimmer attachment & combs, so I do have the 32b shaving head. As I plan on using the Braun shaver only 3 times per week, & continue to razor shave twice, would it be ok to tap out the hairs from the shaving head then rinse with warm water only, then air dry on 2 occasions, then for the final use of the week rinse with liquid soap & warm water, air dry, then apply the clipper oil. Would that be enough maintenance? Thanks in advance Ovidiu.
No problem. That is correct, for some reason I was thinking about the 300s when writing the previous comment, so please disregard the part about the shaving head.
Regarding your cleaning routine, that sounds really good and should easily be good enough.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Can I use Johnson & Johnson baby oil? It’s a mineral oil that’s lightly scented, however it is thin and completely clear and does not go rancid. And is not fit for human consumption. Or any other mineral oil? Like the kind you oil Bamboo cutting boards with?
Most baby oils are basically mineral oils, so as longs as they have a light consistency I think they should work. That aspect is very important though regardless of the mineral oil you’re using.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
hi ovidiu,
just a quick doubt, its a little bit of a wild card, but just thinking out of the box.
i have noticed that mouth wash is designed to get in and get out of tight spots and clean disinfect and release in under 30 seconds especially since its has very low viscosity.
whats do you think of dipping the shaver in mouthwash in a deep bowl/ petridish , might get a crisp braun series 9 cleaning station effect.
its a bit unorthdox but would luv to hear your views.
as always, thank you sir .
Hi,
I can see this working to a certain degree in the case of alcohol-based mouthwash, but even in that case the alcohol concentration wouldn’t be high enough in order to clean an electric shaver effectively. The type of dirt, residue, grime, dust, oils and so on that you’ll normally find inside the head of an electric shaver is something else, so in my opinion mouthwash isn’t ideal for this. Then there’s also the lubrication issue — a proper cleaning solution will take care of that as well.
I think a much better (and economical) approach would be to use one of the several available third-party alternatives to Braun’s cleaning refills (I wrote a detailed guide on that topic here if you want to check it out).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
My local clipper and sharpener business highly recommends Andis Cool Care Plus for shavers and hair clippers. It seems to work better for me than the Remington Shaver Saver( this seems like just a can of propellant).
I think this Andis stuff is a great deal too.
Please give it an official review. Thanks.
I have no connection to company. Just interested
Thanks for your comment, Alan. I actually use the Andis Cool Care Plus almost exclusively now since I can’t get the Remington spray anymore. In my experience the Andis spray works better than most of the other brands (Braun, Philips, etc.) and it’s great value for money as well. Performance-wise it’s still behind the Remington — again, this is just my impression after constantly using both. The difference is particularly obvious in the case of my older Panasonic shavers — they just cut a lot better when I lubricate them with the Remington spray.
But if you get better results with Andis, that’s even better as I think it’s a lot more convenient to buy.
I wrote a few impressions about some of the most popular spray lubricants here, but I will be expanding it and include more details.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hey,
So if my electric shaver manufacturer recommends I use sewing machine oil, would using Wahl clipper oil instead cause damage?
Regards
Dan
Hi Dan,
Wahl’s clipper oil is very similar in terms of consistency and lubricating properties, while also being safer for the skin. It’s a great choice for lubricating any type of electric shaver. I don’t see how it can cause damage.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I’ve been using Glen 20 after cleaning my Braun foil razor but my last foil and cutter set has only lasted 6 months ( I shave daily ).
Would using the clipper oil instead of or in addition to the Glen 20 be better.
I think it would be better — from what I know the Glen 20 is a disinfectant so I’m not sure that it has any (beneficial) lubricating properties.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I seem to like Andis Cool Care more than Remington Shaver Saver. The Remington seems like mostly propellant. And the Andis is a huge can for $10
What do think of the Andis Blade Care Plus non aerosol?
And no need for oil at all if I use Andis Cool Care?
The Andis Cool Care lubricant is definitely more convenient (price-wise) and also widely available. For example I haven’t been able to get the Remington spray for the past couple of years (I live in Europe). I still find it better and more effective than Andis though. The Blade Care oil should also work really well, just like the other two options I mentioned in the article.
If you use the spray there’s no need for the oil.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Any comments on the shaver lubricant call “ESC”?
https://www.amazon.com/lubricating-appliances-lubrication-anti-rust-Maintenance/dp/B075M1326M
Hi there,
I haven’t used this particular brand, but it should work just fine (it’s a low viscosity mineral oil like the ones mentioned in the post).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hola, un consejo, después de lavar mi Braun con agua y jabón, la dejó secar, y después uso aceite de bebe menen. Es aceite hipoalergenico y no causa ninguna irritación en la piel. Se siente excelente! Saludos
EN translation:
Hello, one piece of advice, after washing my Braun with soap and water, let it dry, and then use menen baby oil. It is hypoallergenic oil and does not cause any skin irritation. It feels excellent! Greetings
Hey,
Thanks for the comment. Most baby oils are basically highly refined mineral oils, so it would be fine to use them if that’s the case.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Best, most comprehensive shaver information I’ve found. My current shaver is a Braun Series 7. I used the clean and charge station that came with it for a few years but then stopped due to cost of the clean & renew refill cartridges. I thought that cleaning under hot water would be sufficient, never considering that the shaver should be lubricated on a regular basis – my bad.
Anyway, after researching other brands, I am now considering the Braun Series 5 due to its lower initial cost as well as the lower cost for replacement foils. Your comparison of the various Series 5 models was exactly what I’ve been looking for. I believe I’m now ready to make a well-informed purchase.
Thanks.
Thank you, Eric, much appreciated. I think you’ll also like the Series 5, it’s a great shaver for the money.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I did buy the Philips HQ200/50 on web to clean my new Panasonic ES-LV67. I do not have the automatic cleaning station so I would like to know if I can put the liquid in a small pan, immerse the razor few mm without touching the bottom of the pan and operate it in cleaning mode for a few seconds to clean and lubricate. (sorry for my english I am italian)
Hi Alessandro,
Since both Philips and Panasonic use detergent-based solutions for their cleaning systems, it should work just fine. Make sure to remove the foil frame from the shaver and let both air dry completely afterward.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for the answer, but do i have to leave the foil on the razor while i clean immersed in detergent ? .. and when done remove the foil to dry
Yes, definitely leave the foil on and turn the shaver on (making sure it doesn’t touch the bottom of the pan), just like you said in the first comment. After that, remove the foil and let it air dry.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
First of all great content, I’m currently in a market of a new shaver, and I’m grateful to stumble upon your article that talks about shaver quite intensively and objectively, which to my surprise is very rare even in this days and age. I tip My hat to you sir
My Question is:
I just Bought Braun 5147s as per your recommendation in one of your article.
Now im looking for the maintenance Part, based on your article, the recommended lubricants that is available in my country are only “wahl clipper oil” and “Andis cool care plus”.
I will be shaving once every 2-3 days, mostly dry shave (sometimes wet shave).
I like cleaning my shaver with water after every use (didn’t know I could use soap, but now thinkin about doing so) I also love clean razor, wishing to have a “new razor experience” everytime 🙂
I should mention that the tap water in my country is a bit hard with minerals, so hard water buildups is definitely a concern.
so what do you think, should I just buy both “wahl clipper oil” and “Andis cool care plus”? or should i just Buy one of em? if so, which one?
Can you please advise me on the maintenance routine? What best to do in my situation to prolong the blades quality and have a great shaving experience throughout
Thank you So Much in advance Ovidiu
Hi,
Many thanks for the kind words, glad you found the site useful.
I think either the oil or the Andis spray will be enough, no need for both. If the water is hard, then a spray lubricant would make more sense. As for the maintenance routine, I would definitely use the spray after every soap cleaning (with the shaving head completely dry). If you’ll only be rinsing it with water, then a couple of times a week, 3 at most should suffice. Once the spray is applied and spread evenly (by turning the shaver on for a few seconds), remove the cassette and let the product evaporate before shaving — you definitely don’t want to shave with the foils still damp from the lubricant.
You can also check out my guide on how to use a spray lubricant for more details.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you, now it is clear. A little while ago I shaved. I have the mustache area with very hard hair and it bled a little. Strange, this is the second shave and the first one went well! I’ll have an adjustment period ahead as the next shave was ok !
Have a nice day
What about the homemade cleaning solutions for Braun cleaning stations. Would it be sufficient lubrication using the alcohol mix with a fragrant essential oil?
Hi Scott,
It would be good enough for the cleaning part, but the blades will not be properly lubricated. The OEM solution or other commercially available solutions use ethoxylated glycerine or mineral oil for lubrication and both of those are extremely difficult to use in a DIY solution (not available or cannot be dissolved). If you’ll be using the alcohol + essential oil solution I highly recommend lubricating the blades in addition to that (clipper oil or a spray lubricant for shavers).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Alcohol is good for cleaning metal, but don’t use essential oils to lubricate machine parts. That’s a horrible idea.
Hi
Pls can you let me know
1) What oil do you recommend buying in the UK for manually cleaning braun series 9 shaver (when you need to buy extra when the one provided finishes)
2) If you don’t manual clean, how often do you recommend putting series 9 in cleaning centre?
3) If you do manual clean, how often do you recommend manual cleaning? And when you do manual clean, how often do you recommend using the automatic cleaning centre?
Thanks a lot
Hi Rio,
Any clipper oil you can find at a decent price (Wahl, Oster, Andis etc.) or a spray lubricant for shavers (Remington Shaver Saver, Andis CoolCare Plus, or even Braun’s own cleaning spray).
In my opinion you should clean the shaver after every use, be it manual (at least a quick rinse under the tap) or with the station. I would clean it manually most of the time (with warm water) and use the station like once a week.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
After reading this and your cleaning electric razors guide, will this routine suffice for a Braun Series 3?
1 – After every shave (every weekday pretty much for me) do a quick rinse under the tap
2 – Once a week (on the weekend) I thoroughly clean the razor with soap and water, let it dry. Then when it’s fully dry I lubricate each foil (3 drops for the Braun Series 3 right?)
Of course cleaning with soap and lubricating after every shave is preferable but as I am a bit lazy during the weekday, will this routine suffice in terms of hygiene and efficiency?
Thank you for all the great guides you’ve been putting out!
Hi Josh,
I think it’s good enough for proper hygiene and lubrication. The Series 3 is not as demanding in that regard as a Panasonic (higher friction between the blades and the foil).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I purchased this Braun shaver cleaner, but am thinking it might do the opposite of what you suggest, re lubrication.
The items you suggested are difficult to find in holland.
Hi,
Can you share more details about the product you bought (name, link etc.)? The ones I mentioned were tested by me extensively, some of them for years and I can confirm that the lubrication is definitely adequate.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
You can find them, it’ll just be a different name. Theres nothing unique about the brands listed here. They’re just a thin petroleum based machine oil, no additives, detergents, synthetic base oil or anything unique. You can find an equivalent. Just look for any light oil sold for lubricating electric razors, sewing machines, or even better for food processing equipment like meat slicers. That stuff will be even more refined since it’s held to food grade standards. Some grocery stores even carry food grade mineral oil here. Same stuff but more refined. Don’t actually eat it tho. Food grade doesn’t mean edible.
Hi
Is the andis spray an alternative to mineral oil/another oil to lubricate Braun s9? Or do you need to do both?
Thank you
Hi Liyad,
It’s definitely an alternative, you do not need both.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I learnt a lot as I just purchased my first electric shaver a Braun series 9 pro
That’s awesome, Terry, hope you’ll enjoy shaving with it.
Thank you for your comment, I really appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
An air compressor it’s a game changer. Those bottles of refrigerant sold to clean keyboards and stuff do the same thing but are annoying to keep buying. If youve got an air compressor and know how to safely use it for dusting you can use it after every single shave. Take the razor off, couple quick blasts from the air compressor, won’t be a spec of dust on it, then a drop of mineral oil, done. No water no drying. Of course you should still throw it in rubbing alcohol now and then. Never needs to touch water. The air cleans it and fhe alcohol degreases, sanitizes and evaporates away.
Great tips, many thanks for taking the time to share this.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Thanks for another helpful post.
I recently bought Arc 5. The post says you need to add oil onto the foils and the pop-up trimmer. I was wondering if you need to add a couple drops of oil onto the inner blades as well? Or will the oil from the foils will get there?
Best,
Malik
Hi Malik,
Thank you for the comment, much appreciated.
It’s not necessary to put oil on the inner blades (I never do). A couple of drops on the foils will be enough. Those two cutters aren’t any different from the rest of the foils which also have inner blades, the difference being that those blades are integrated into the foil block itself and can’t be removed. Even Panasonic recommends putting a drop only on the outer foils.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
I recently bought a Braun 3040 for my dad, and your articles have been very helpful in selecting that model as well as learning better how to lubricate thd shaver (Braun’s instructions were more vague). Thank you for all the time and effort (and $!) you put into all your research and for being so thorough – it’s a huge help to the rest of us still using an old double edged blade!
Hi Rolf,
You are way too kind, thank you so much for the comment. Hope your dad enjoys his new 3040s. Happy new year!
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have the oil Panasonic supply with my lv65 shaver, also some Braun shaver spray – would either be equally effective ?
The Braun spray is really effective at cleaning the blades, but it’s not as lubricating as other shaver sprays like the Remington Shaver Saver or the Andis CoolCare Plus. So I think the Panasonic oil in this case would be slightly more effective.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hey, Great content man!! Can you give me a quick explanation on why you need to let the foils dry before lubing them?
Thank you so much, Gregory, I really appreciate it. If you lubricate the foils right after cleaning the shaver with water for example, it just won’t be as effective. If you use a lubricating spray the product can actually be diluted and it will take longer to evaporate. In the case of using lubricating oil, the water can prevent it from equally coating and adhering to the blades. It’s also explicitly recommended as a rule of thumb by most manufacturers.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks so much for this very informative article and for sharing your research!
I found this discussion during a search for using silicone spray lubricant on shaver blades. Do you have any advice about this? I didn’t see this addressed in the comments.
Thank you for the comment, much appreciated.
I personally haven’t used a silicone spray, but silicone oil, provided it’s very light and thin, is a very effective lubricant for shavers. The use cases for silicone sprays are on the other hand different and are particularly well suited for non-metal parts or slow-moving metal parts. The safer choice would be a spray lubricant for clippers like Andis CoolCare Plus or Clippercide.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks. I appreciate your advice!
I purchased a Panasonic ES-LV9Q with charging/cleaning station after reading your comments on different shavers in this category. I shave daily and clean/charge the shaver once a week as per the seller’s recommendation. Should I also lubricate the foils with Andis Cool Care Plus (or a similar product) and if so, how often?
I really appreciate your forum; keep up the good work.
Hi Ron,
Thank you for your comment. If you only rinse the shaver with water (no soap) or clean it with the brush when not using the cleaning station, I’d say once or twice a week should be perfectly fine. If however you also use soap, then I would spray it after every cleaning (the blades must be dry before applying the spray lubricant).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Finally after exhaustive search I found your website to be invaluable.
My wife recently purchased a Braun S6 wet/dry shaver without cleaning station for health reasons. After many years with Harry’s blades and shavers I found the S6 an adequate shave with no irritation
The oiling and maintenance instructions included with the shaver leave a lot to be desired. I found most of the answers to my questions but here are a couple more. I acknowledge the amount oil (Wahl) on the exterior foils and cutter blades in the center. Do you apply oil inside or underneath cassette. Do you ever apply oil to the locking springs (2) and the oscillating motor. Finally is ok to get the locking springs and oscillating motor wet with moisture. Thanks again for a very informative website.
Hi Alan,
Thank you for the comment, much appreciated.
You should only apply a drop or two of oil on the outside of each of the three foils, let the shaver run for a bit and that’s really it. There’s no need to apply oil on the inside of the cassette. After each cleaning, you should leave the shaver with the cassette removed so the moisture can evaporate completely and not get a funky smell.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Super helpful, thanks so much!
A question for you… if I am lubricating my electric razor manually, with oil or Andiis Spray, I understand that it is important to let it dry completely. Do I then apply the oil to only the foil, or to the cutting blades underneath as well? I understand that I must run the razor for a little bit to disperse the oil. I just don’t know whether the oil can get from the surface foil to the submerged blades beneath. I use an Arc 5. Thank you!!
Thank you, Jeremy, I appreciate it.
You only need to apply the oil on the outside of each of the 5 cutters of your Arc 5, then let it run for a few seconds. The oil will definitely sip through the foils and coat the blades. The drying part is only required if you use the Andis spray. Oil will never evaporate (completely), so just use a paper tissue to gently wipe any excess after oiling and running the shaver for a bit. You can then shave right away.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you sir!
Superb site Ovidiu in both content and presentation. Definitely THE Bible for electric shaver info and advice.
Can baby oil be used as a lubrication alternative to the products you have mentioned in this section?
Many thanks.
Mike
Mike, thanks so much for the kind comment, glad you found the site useful.
I’d say it’s not ideal — even though baby oils are basically mineral oils, they’re just not thin enough for this type of application. Clipper oil is also a paraffine/mineral oil, but it’s more watery, so perfectly suitable for parts with low tolerances that move at high speeds.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for your reply.
Best wishes,
Mike
Hi Ovidiu, I congratulate you for this very useful website. I got a braun Series 5 (5040 w&d) back in 2017, it was my 28 birthday gift (a gift i gave to myself :)))) i found this website one week ago and I was worried about if i was greasing and cleaning it well. I have already used 3 cassettes and it has given me great pleasure to read how you say that you always put oil over the foil before shaving, because I also did it that way during these 5 years!!! every single step as you said! and with sewing machine oil!! (always thought braun’s recommendation of once a week was not enough). I’ve recently been doing some wet shaves with thin, watery foam; Even in that I did the same as what you wrote!! Knowing that I did well in the past is a nice feeling 😀
I started doing it wet because the last cassette was very worn and I felt how it pulled my beard sometimes, however with foam it didn’t pull. Perhaps this is a good recommendation when the cassette is worn for the last shaves before you buy a new one; shaving with foam is still good.
But now I am going to follow what you have said about dry shaving is better for Braun, now I have a new cassette and I will use it dry.
If there is any advice for your lost Spanish twin it will be well received 😀
A hug.
Hi Aurelio,
Thanks so much for the kind comment, I really appreciate it.
From what I can tell you’re doing everything right to maintain your shaver in good condition. The old Series 5 like your 5040 was a really great line of mid-range foil shavers, it’s a shame Braun replaced it with a new generation that is inferior in every aspect. Please feel free to shave wet or dry, whichever works better for you. My take is merely a general recommendation, but it doesn’t necessarily apply to everyone.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Is it ok to use panasonic detergent in my new Phillips cleaning pod ?
Hi Ray,
Yes, it should be fine. It may foam up even more, but other than that, I don’t really see any negatives.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I recently purchased an Panasonic arc 5 without cleaning station. This is my 1st wet/dry shaver, i have been doing my research & i think i understand the routine of using the & maintaining the shaver (lubricating, cleaning with hot water & soap). My question is can i use the below product as an all in 1 maintenance spray (meaning as a lube & cleaner)
https://www.amazon.com/Andis-12750-Cool-Care-Plus/dp/B000LNB8HK
Hi James,
Definitely, the Andis spray is one of the better ones out there for cleaning and lubricating your shaver.
If you shave wet, meaning you use shaving cream or gel, I think cleaning with water and soap would still be better. Lather is difficult to remove from the foil head and blades and I don’t think the spray alone would be the best option in the long run. If you shave dry the Andis spray should be fine for both cleaning and lubrication.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Will this stuff work as a lubricant for my braun series 9?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0084AWBRS/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1
Hi Jeff,
Yes, it’s a really good lubricant for electric shavers.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Great site, thanks to your reviews I am a happy owner of an ES-LV65, I think it shaves closer than my Braun Series 7 (new version) and is just as comfortable. As others have mentioned, Panasonic does not include oil with the shaver in the US, and as others have done, I emailed Panasonic to ask about this and they had the same response: not needed. I am skeptical…but I have read some people say they’ve had no problem not lubricating. I’ve also noticed that my faucet lamp only comes on between 2 and 3 weeks of shaving.
I am going to only sonic clean-soap&water my shaver when the lamp comes on, and also not use oil. Worst case – I have to replace my foil & blades sooner. Worth the experiment to me…I’ll look to come back with my results in a year, if not sooner.
Hi Mark,
Thank you for the comment, glad you’re enjoying your ES-LV65.
In my experience lubrication is necessary with Panasonic shavers. My ES-LV65 (and all other Arc 5 models I own) came with a bottle of oil and the user manual specifically says that the shaver should be lubricated regularly, ideally after every use. The foils will begin to get really warm as you use the shaver and the shave won’t be as good and enjoyable as the metal wears out.
I have a few older Arc5’s with pretty worn out blades and using a lubricating spray makes a huge difference. I would use a lubricant (oil or spray) just to keep the foils cool, at least in my case that makes a huge difference to the quality of my shave.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu.
It doesn’t seem like much at all but according to Braun’s instructions all they say to do is put 1 and only (1) drop on your finger and rub it across the top of the whole foil and then only (1) drop on the pop-up trimmer.
Only (1) drop of oil on your index finger and spread across that whole top of the shave head across all 4 elements doesn’t seem like anything does it?
Hi,
I totally agree. In fact, some other brands like Panasonic explicitly recommend placing a drop on the outside of each foil element + the trimmer blade. The idea is that the oil will enter through the perforations in the foils and coat the blades. If you only place a drop on your finger, then proceed to spread it over all the 4 elements, there just won’t be enough to enter the foil and properly lubricate the blades. You’ll just be smearing the outside of the foils which won’t do much.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I’ve been using electric shavers for over 50 years and didn’t know I should have been lubricating them until today when I read the instructions for my new shaver. So, I was wondering, just because I have a bottle on hand, can I use a liquid silicone oil. This is the one I have: https://3inone.com/product/3-in-one-all-temp-silicone/ From what I understand, this type of lubricant is thin, and evaporates quickly so it wouldn’t leave a wet oily residue.
Hi Jeff,
Silicone oil should be ideal for lubricating an electric shaver provided it has very low viscosity (around 5 mm²/s and no higher than let’s say 10 mm²/s). From the data sheet of the oil you linked I can see that it has a viscosity of 3.8 cSt which equals to 3.8 mm²/s, which is very low viscosity so it should work great.
However, I am not a chemist or a dermatologist, so I can’t weigh in regarding any side effects. But from the available information, silicone oil isn’t great for the skin — it can clog pores, dry the skin and cause breakouts among other things. And I’m not entirely convinced that it won’t leave any residue on the skin.
So while its lubricating properties are excellent for this application, it poses a potential risk and for that reason I recommend light mineral oil instead.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for your reply. I have found two other reasons not to use silicon oil. 1. Unfortunately I tried it before I heard from you, and it has a horrible stench when used that close to your nose. It took 4 after shaving cleaning/washings to get rid of the odor. 2. The 4 oz bottle I have cost $10. I bought a 20 oz bottle of pleasant smelling baby oil for $6.
You are very welcome. Most baby oils are mineral-based, so should work fine. The key is again the viscosity — the oil must be very light, otherwise it can make the shaver feel sluggish as the blades will have some resistance instead of moving freely.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu