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TLDR

The right shredder oil is the key to an efficient and long-lasting shredder. This guide gives you five oils you should NOT use for your paper shredder and why, along with some of the best specialty shredding lubricants that’ll keep your shredder running like new.

Do NOT use these Oils for your Paper Shredder

Ever wondered why your paper shredder isn’t performing as smoothly as it used to? Why its a little noisier, a little slower, or shakes a bit more than the usual vibration? Well, it might just be craving the right shredder oil. It’s important to use the correct oil for paper shredders, especially for commercial shredders that are used throughout the day. After all, not all oils are created equal, and using the wrong one can cause issues like paper jams or overheating.

So, which oils should you avoid, and which ones should you use? Let’s find the answers.

Shredder Oil-Quick Facts

Shredder oil is a specially formulated lubricant designed to keep your shredder’s cutting blades running smoothly and efficiently. It typically comprises high-viscosity, heat-tolerant substances to handle the friction and heat the shredding process generates. Manufacturers recommend using shredder lubricant because it adheres to the blades, reduces wear and tear, and maintains optimal performance.

Oils to Avoid

It’s a frequent occurrence for people to use common household oils in their shredders simply because they are accessible and seem like a quick fix. Unfortunately, these oils are not designed for these electric machines with blades and can do far more harm than good, causing jams or irreversible damage to the blades or motors. Here are 4 of the most common shredder oils people should NOT use on their shredders.

1. Olive, vegetable, & canola oil - Mainly composed of unsaturated fat, these cooking oils are prone to gumming up and causing residue build-up on shredder blades.
2. WD-40 and other aerosol oils are thin, evaporate quickly, and can be a flammable safety hazard.
3.  Baby oil is light and doesn’t have the high viscosity, heat-tolerant properties that shredder lubricant does.
4. Most sewing machine oil is petroleum based, which makes it a serious fire hazard. Plus, it doesn’t have the right viscosity and heat tolerance to handle the friction shredder blades generate.

What kind of oil can you use on a paper shredder?

Shredder manufacturers make specially-formulated shredder oil that is designed to help maintain the integrity of your machine with well-lubricated blades, reduced wear and tear, and by ensuring optimal performance, even though heavy use. This is why we recommend using only pure shredder oil for your paper shredder. 

Key Properties of Paper Shredder Oil

So what makes shredder oil so great? Here are some of the key properties that set it apart from other common oils you might be tempted to use:

1. High Viscosity - The high-viscosity of shredder oil allows it to stick to the blades more effectively.
2. Non-Corrosive Properties - Quality shredder oil is formulated to be non-corrosive, safeguarding the metal components of your shredder. This helps in preventing rust and other forms of corrosion.
3. Rapid Penetration - Shredder oil is designed to penetrate quickly into small spaces between the blades and other components.
4. Temperature Stability - The operating temperatures in a paper shredder can fluctuate quite significantly, especially during extended use. Shredder oil is formulated to maintain its lubricating properties across a wide temperature range.
5. Residue-Free - A quality shredder oil will evaporate cleanly, leaving no gummy or sticky residues that could interfere with the machine's operation.

Top 3 Best Oils for Paper Shredders

Did you know that MyBinding offers a range of high-quality oil for paper shredders designed to meet your every need? Whether you have a small home shredder or a heavy-duty commercial one with an auto-oiler, we’ve got the perfect oil to keep it running smoothly. We’ve picked out our top three best oils for paper shredders below.

Fellowes POWERSHRED Shredder Lubricant

The Fellowes POWERSHRED Shredder Lubricant is designed specifically for your low-security home or small office shredder. It keeps your shredder running at peak performance and extends its life by conditioning the cutters. The squeeze bottle with an extended nozzle ensures complete coverage, making the application a breeze.

GBC Swingline Shredder Oil

The GBC Swingline Shredder Oil is a high-performance synthetic oil that’s compatible with all Swingline shredder models and even shredders made by other manufacturers. This oil reduces torque, which allows cutters to move easily and reduces the risk of paper jams. It doesn’t cause buildup on any shredder parts and keeps the blades well-lubricated, making it the perfect option for paper shredder maintenance.

MBM DestroyIt Shredder Oil

Last but not least, the MBM DestroyIt Shredder Oil is a specially blended, high cling, non-detergent oil formulated for use in Destroyit shredders. It’s perfect for prolonging the life of your shredder’s cut heads. It’s available in various sizes — from one pint to four gallons — catering to all your needs regardless of your shredder size or organization.

How to Oil a Shredder

Oiling your shredder is super easy! Just squirt some oil onto both sides of a sheet of paper, turn on your machine, and run the paper through. You can do this a few times to ensure each blade in the head is coated well. Then run a few plan sheets through to absorb any excess. 

EMBED VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yrXvtG5lSA 

Shredder Oil FAQs

What can I substitute for paper shredder oil? We do not recommend using any unsanctioned oils in your paper shredder. Viscosity, texture, and other properties of common household and other oils can cause damage to your shredder.

Can I use baby oil on my shredder? No, baby oil should not be used on a paper shredder.

Is sewing machine oil the same as paper shredder oil? Sewing machine oil and paper shredder oil serve similar purposes in that they both lubricate moving mechanical parts to ensure smooth operation and extend the lifespan of the respective machines. However, despite these similarities, they are formulated differently and are generally not interchangeable. 

How important is it to oil your shredder?  Oiling your paper shredder is critically important for several reasons, all aimed at ensuring the device operates effectively, efficiently, and enjoys a longer lifespan. Some larger shredders even come with automatic oilers already built-in to the machines. 

Buy the Right Shredder Oil

Oiling is an extremely simple paper shredder maintenance task that everyone should be doing. No matter how often you use your shredder, or with what volume of paper, shredder oil will coat and protect the cutting head blades, ensuring a longer life with the least amount of wear and tear. Cutting corners with the wrong kind of oil can damage your machine, possibly beyond repair. If your shredder is damaged and needs more comprehensive support, consider our on-site technical service and repair. Otherwise, protect your investment today with shredder oil. 

Give us a call with questions at 1-800-944-4573.