How to Clean and Maintain Your Professional Scissors

Why Maintenance Matters

Professional scissors are precision instruments. A small amount of daily care will keep them sharper for longer, prevent corrosion, and protect the pivot mechanism — saving you money on sharpening and replacements over time.

Here's the routine every professional stylist and barber should follow.

After Every Client: Wipe the Blades

Hair product, moisture, and natural oils from hair build up on the blades with every cut. Left uncleaned, this residue accelerates dulling and can cause corrosion over time.

• Use a soft, dry cloth or a dedicated scissor wipe to clean both blades after each client
• Open the scissors fully and wipe from the pivot outward toward the tip — never drag the cloth across the cutting edge
• Pay attention to the area around the pivot where product tends to accumulate

Daily: Oil the Pivot Point

The pivot is the heart of your scissors. Keeping it lubricated ensures smooth, consistent cutting action and prevents wear on the screw mechanism.

• Apply one small drop of scissor oil to the pivot point at the end of each working day
• Open and close the scissors several times to work the oil in
• Wipe away any excess oil from the blades before storing

Use only dedicated scissor oil — never WD-40 or general lubricants, which can damage the metal over time.

Weekly: Full Clean and Tension Check

Once a week, give your scissors a more thorough clean and check the tension:

• Clean the blades thoroughly with a soft cloth and a small amount of isopropyl alcohol to remove any stubborn product build-up
• Check the tension by holding the scissors vertically by one handle and letting the other drop — it should fall to about 45 degrees. Too loose and the scissors will fold hair; too tight and they'll cause hand fatigue.
• Adjust the tension screw (or use the no-key adjustment system on Foundation Series scissors) until the tension feels right

Storage: Protect the Edge

• Always store scissors in a case or pouch — never loose in a drawer or bag where they can knock against other tools
• Keep scissors dry — moisture is the enemy of any steel blade
• Never leave scissors open when not in use

When to Get Them Professionally Serviced

Even with perfect maintenance, scissors need professional attention periodically. If you notice pulling, folding, or uneven cutting, it's time for a sharpen.

Our Scissor Sharpening Service covers full inspection, disassembly, sharpening, and tension adjustment — everything your scissors need to perform like new from £35.