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Electric razors are an efficient way to get a clean-cut face without risking razor nicks or having to deal with shaving cream. But keeping them clean isn’t quite as straightforward.

Many newer razors come with “self-cleaning stations” (which boast all-in-one charging, sanitizing, and lubricating), but they often cost more than $100 and take up valuable space on a bathroom counter. Fortunately, it’s easy to keep your razor clean without this fancy piece of bathroom tech. And many of the tools and techniques for an electric razor also apply to trimmers or clippers, too.

A bristle brush: Getting rid of all the small bits of hair that fall in between blades is important for keeping a razor fresh and functioning. Most electric razors and clippers come with a small plastic brush for this, but if you’ve misplaced it, an old toothbrush works fine.

Soap: If you’re washing a waterproof electric razor, liquid soap and water will clean your shaving block just fine. But if you’re cleaning clippers, trimmers, or a non-waterproof razor, you’ll need to use the spray cleaner we mention below.

Blade lubricant: In order to keep the blades sharp and working properly—and to avoid overheating and overworking the mechanics of your razor—you’ll need to keep the cutting block lubricated. Most razors come with a small bottle of oil that will serve you well for a long time, since you don’t need more than a drop or two. But if you’ve lost or used up that bottle, there are a lot of replacement options.

Spray cleaner: You’ll need this to clean any non-waterproof razor. Shaver Saver is a commonly available option. Anthony DeAngelis, master barber and co-owner of Blue&Black Barbershop in Brooklyn, New York, recommends Andis Cool Care Plus.

It takes only a few minutes to effectively clean your electric razor or trimmer. It’s important to make cleaning your razor or trimmer a regular part of your routine. Otherwise, DeAngelis warned, you may experience some pulling or discomfort while shaving.

If you get into the habit of cleaning and maintaining your razors after every use, you’ll have a razor that not only works better for longer but also delivers a reliable shave every time.

For electric razors, you’re going to want to remove any of the bits of hair that are in the cutting block. With most razors, that means pulling off the foil cover (or opening the cover, if you have a rotary shaver) and lightly brushing off the debris you find.

If your razor is waterproof—all of our picks are—close the shaving block, or put the foil back over the blades and lightly run it under some water. Apply a dab of liquid soap to the cutting surfaces, and then run the razor for about 15 seconds before rinsing it out. After rinsing, take the block apart again, and let all of the components air-dry completely.

If you don’t have a waterproof razor, spray the foils and blades two or three times with the cleaner of your choice. DeAngelis recommends Andis Cool Care Plus.

These sprays are designed to do a lot of the same disinfecting and cleaning of soap and water, but without getting the shaver wet. The sprays leave a thin film of lubricating oil on the blades—but it’s still good practice to put an extra drop of oil on the blades afterward.

Let your shaver dry completely before reassembling.

Once the blades are clean, it’s important to replace the oil on them. The key to keeping your blades in the best condition is to add a drop of oil after each use, according to DeAngelis.

Apply a drop of oil to each cutting surface, and run the shaver for about 20 seconds, to spread the oil around. Then use a paper towel to gently remove any excess oil.

Cleaning clippers or trimmers is a similar process, but DeAngelis recommends using spray cleaner instead of getting your clippers or trimmers wet. Brush off the blades as you would with the electric razor, spritz the blades with a spray cleaner, let dry, and add a drop of oil afterward.

This article was edited by Connor Grossman and Alejandra Matos.

James Austin is an updates writer who has worked on everything Wirecutter covers, from board games to umbrellas, and after being here for a few years he has gained approximate knowledge of many things. In his free time he enjoys taking photos, listening to podcasts, and volunteering for a youth robotics competition.

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