Care and maintenance of hairdressing scissors
To keep hairdressing scissors performing, they need cleaning and oiling at the end of the day, a daily tension check and a proper case. Regular maintenance extends the life of the edge and ensures a precise cut. When the edge fades, professional sharpening costs €69 and full maintenance €89.
Professional hair scissors should be kept clean and carefully looked after to extend the life of the edge and of the tool as a whole.
Hairdressing scissors are constantly in contact with hair, and on top of that they may come into contact with chemicals (colour, perms, bleach), dust and dirt. Accidental knocks to the blade edge can also damage it.
Continuing to use dirty, badly tensioned or damaged scissors speeds up blade wear and lowers the quality of the cut.
Video: how to clean, oil and adjust hairdressing scissors
In a few minutes we show you the end-of-day routine for your TOUCH scissors: cleaning, oiling and checking the screw tension.
What to do to maintain hairdressing scissors
- Clean and oil your scissors at the end of every working day.
- Check the adjustment (tension) at least once a day.
- Check for chips or damage if the scissors are dropped. If you see damage, put them aside immediately and contact the service centre: carrying on cutting with damaged scissors causes further damage.
- Store and carry your scissors in a quality case to protect the blades and tips.
What not to do with hairdressing scissors
- Do not cut hair with scissors that are out of tension or damaged by a fall.
- Do not put your scissors away dirty.
- Do not leave them loose in a drawer when you are not using them.
- Avoid swapping scissors with colleagues.
- Avoid contact with perm solutions and colour: they can corrode the blade.
Daily cleaning in 4 steps
- Remove the hair: open the scissors and wipe a soft, dry cloth along the blades from the pivot to the tip, with the edge facing outwards.
- Clean the pivot: open the scissors to 90 degrees and remove residue around the screw with the cloth or a small brush.
- Disinfect: use a product designed for steel tools and dry immediately. Do not leave the scissors soaking in liquid.
- Dry thoroughly: moisture left in the pivot is the main cause of friction and oxidation.
Oiling: one drop is enough
Once a day, or in any case after cleaning, open the scissors to 90 degrees and put one drop of scissor oil where the two blades meet near the pivot. Open and close 5–10 times to spread it, then wipe off the excess with the cloth. Too much oil attracts hair and dust.
On models with Teflon Tech, such as TU ELITE, TSS68 ELITE and TUX625 ELITE, friction between the parts is already reduced, but cleaning and light oiling remain important for the pivot.
How to check the tension: the drop test
- Hold the scissors tip up by the ring of the fixed blade.
- Open the moving blade to a horizontal position.
- Let it fall without guiding it.
| What happens | Tension | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| The blade closes completely | Too loose | Tighten the screw slightly |
| The blade stays put or almost | Too tight | Loosen the screw slightly |
| The blade drops and stops before closing | Correct | No adjustment |
The ideal tension also depends on your hand and how you cut: those who do a lot of slide cutting often prefer slightly softer tension.
How to adjust the tension with the micrometric screw
All TOUCH scissors have a ball bearing and micrometric tension adjustment via the wheel on the pivot.
- Adjust in small clicks: one or two clicks at a time, then repeat the drop test.
- Check the cut: test on a wet section. The scissors must cut cleanly to the tip without folding the hair.
- Do not take the pivot apart: the screw, bearing and washer are calibrated together. If the tension will not stay stable, it needs a workshop check.
To understand how the bearing and micro-adjustment work, read our guide on convex blades, Teflon Tech and ball bearings.
Sharpening and maintenance of hairdressing scissors: prices
Even the best scissors lose their edge over time, and wear parts get used up. Our professional sharpening service for hairdressing and barber scissors makes them like new again. From Italy we take care of everything, shipping both ways included; from outside Italy, please contact us before ordering.
- Sharpening: €69 – professional blade sharpening to restore the cut.
- Sharpening + full maintenance: €89 – sharpening, cleaning, lubrication, tension adjustment and replacement of worn parts (stops, bumpers and washers). Bearing replacement is not included and costs an extra €30.
Book sharpening – €69 Sharpening + full maintenance – €89
After ordering, we explain how to send us your scissors. Questions? Contact us.
FAQ on hairdressing scissor maintenance
How often should hairdressing scissors be cleaned and oiled?
At the end of every working day. The tension should be checked at least once a day.
How often should hairdressing scissors be sharpened?
It depends on use and cutting technique. When the scissors start to bite, fold or pull the hair, it is time to have them professionally sharpened.
How much does it cost to sharpen hairdressing scissors?
At TOUCH, sharpening costs €69; with full maintenance and replacement of worn parts (stops, bumpers and washers) €89. If the bearing needs replacing, it costs €30 extra. From outside Italy, please contact us before ordering.
What should you do if your scissors fall on the floor?
Check immediately for chips or damage. If there are any, do not use them and contact the service centre: cutting with damaged scissors makes the damage worse.
Why do colour and perms damage scissors?
Chemicals can corrode the blade. After every contact, clean and dry your scissors thoroughly.
Want to learn more? Read How to clean and adjust hairdressing scissors, or discover our TOUCH professional hairdressing scissors, made by hairdressers for hairdressers.
By Alessandro Balsamo – Forbici TOUCH, Sondrio
