To maintain a paper shredder, oil the blades with oil made for shredders, clean the blades, stay under the rated capacity and run time, and let the machine cool down between big jobs. Oil it after about an hour of continuous shredding or whenever you empty the bin, clean business shredders about monthly and personal shredders every few months to once a year, and unplug it when it is not in use.
How to Clean Shredder Blades
A clean shredder works better, because cleaning removes stuck paper and dust, helps keep the blades sharp and improves air quality. How often you need to do it depends on how much you shred. In a business where the shredder is in constant use, clean it about once a month. For light personal use, every few months or even once a year is enough.
- Turn off and unplug the shredder.
- Open the machine cover. Check your manual if you are not sure how it opens.
- Carefully remove any large pieces of paper or debris.
- Use a soft brush to gently dust off the blades, or use a can of compressed air. The blades are very sharp, so work carefully.
Do not blow into the cutting shaft, because moisture and saliva can damage the metal parts, and do not use a wet cloth or cleaning solutions. A shredder bag or box helps contain dust, and paper bags and boxes are preferred over plastic. Fitted bags also make disposal more controlled, especially with fine cross cut or micro cut particles, and air filters are available with paper shredder accessories. Check that any bag fits your model and does not block the sensors, ventilation or cutting mechanism.
How to Oil a Paper Shredder
Oil helps avoid excess heat, makes the machine quieter and smoother, and helps avoid strain on the motor and cutting cylinders. In general, lubricate the shredder after about an hour of continuous shredding or whenever you empty the waste bin. Fellowes says to oil each time the bin is emptied, or at least twice a month, and HSM says to oil when cutting performance drops, noise increases and after emptying the container.
Cross cut and micro cut models, including P-5, P-6 and P-7 security levels, usually need oil more often than strip cut models. Heavy use also calls for more attention, and your manual has the recommended schedule. Signs your shredder may need oil include more noise, slower feeding, more frequent jams and fewer sheets processed comfortably. These can have other causes, so if oiling does not help, look for compacted debris, a blockage or a mechanical problem.
There are three ways to oil a shredder, and you should always use the method your manual specifies:
- Direct oiling: press reverse to eject any stuck paper, dispense the oil across the cutting feed from one end to the other in one smooth motion, run the shredder without paper to spread it, then run a couple of clean sheets to remove the excess.
- Oiled paper, also called indirect oiling: run oil down the sides of a sheet without soaking it, place a blank sheet on top, avoid dripping, shred it normally, then run a couple of clean sheets.
- Wax paper: shred one or two sheets of wax paper like regular paper to help lubricate the cylinders, depending on how often you shred.
Pre oiled lubricant sheets are another option for some machines. They involve less handling and less risk of applying too much oil, which suits shared offices and occasional use. Larger shredders may include or offer automatic oilers, and for those you should use only the oil specified for that system and never add oil directly to the cutters. Some shredders, such as certain Dahle models, are oil free.
MyBinding sells paper shredder oil from brands such as Fellowes, Swingline, HSM and MBM. Smaller bottles suit occasional home or office use, while larger bottles and multi packs suit high volume machines. Excess oil can leave residue, so use only as much as the method calls for.
Which Oils Not to Use on a Shredder
Use oil labeled for paper shredders or approved by your manufacturer. WD-40 and other aerosol lubricants, 3 in 1 oil, baby oil, sewing machine oil and cooking oils such as olive, vegetable and canola should not be used unless the manufacturer approves them. Fellowes warns against aerosol and petroleum based products because of flammability. Baby oil is made for skin care, not for heat, paper dust and metal contact. Some sewing machine oils are petroleum based and their viscosity is not automatically suitable. Cooking oils can turn gummy over time and trap paper dust around the cutters.
The one exception is that Fellowes approves non aerosol vegetable oil from a long nozzle container, so check your manual first. MyBinding's post on which oils not to use in a paper shredder explains each case in more detail. A good shredder oil has controlled viscosity, works with metal cutters and nearby plastic or rubber parts, stays stable across temperatures, leaves little residue and spreads into narrow gaps.
How to Prevent and Clear Shredder Jams
Most jams come from overloading, feeding wrinkled or folded paper, or shredding unsuitable materials such as adhesive. Remove labels, stamps and stickers before shredding, and follow the manufacturer's guidance on batch size, materials and shredding intervals. Regular oiling also helps prevent jams.
If paper gets stuck, press reverse to eject it. A louder, slower or jam prone shredder does not always need new cutters, because the cutting head may be dry or packed with paper dust. Cleaning and oiling often fixes it. Using the wrong oil causes the opposite problem, so stick to approved oil.
Do Not Overload the Shredder
A shredder's maximum capacity is a peak rating, usually based on thin copy paper, rather than a daily standard. Running at full capacity all the time wears the motor, so stay under the rated maximum. Continuous use can cause overheating, which reduces the shredder's life and can be a fire hazard. If you regularly push past the limit, MyBinding's paper shredders buying guide explains what to look for in a new one.
Also check your manual for the maximum continuous run time. Small shredders may be around 10 minutes and larger ones 30 minutes or more. Pause when you reach it so the machine can cool. Depending on the model, materials such as paper, cards and CDs may be safe to shred, but each model has its own guidelines, so shred only what yours is rated for. Remove staples and clips unless your shredder is rated to handle them.
Let Your Shredder Cool Down and Unplug It
Shredders need a break between big sessions to avoid overheating, which can wear out the motor. Personal shredders need longer cool down periods, while larger office shredders may need only 30 seconds to a minute and need it less often. Check your manual for the manufacturer's recommendation.
Unplug the shredder at the end of the workday or before a weekend. A plugged in shredder draws a small amount of power even when idle, and on automatic models the motor can stay partly running, which causes wear. Unplugging also makes the shredder safer around kids and pets.
Shredder Features That Make Maintenance Easier
Some features take part of the work off you. Automatic oilers suit shredders that run often and are described as prolonging shredder life, while manual oiling may be enough for a low volume machine if the manufacturer allows it. Office models can include thermal overload protection, automatic shut off after a short period of inactivity, and a safety switch that cuts power when the bin is removed. Autofeed models include anti jam technology, and industrial models add auto reverse and load indicators.
When you compare models, look at both sheet capacity and run time. Sheet capacity covers what can enter at once, while run time covers how long the motor can run before it needs to cool. A shared office may benefit more from dependable continuous performance and a larger bin than from the highest single pass capacity.
Keeping Shredder Maintenance on Track in an Office
In a shared office, record oiling and service dates for each machine so nobody has to guess. Keep approved oil, compatible bags and cleaning materials near the shredder, and place the machine with walkways, heat, moisture and noise in mind. With proper care, most shredders last 5 to 10 years or more.
Whether you shred every day in an office or occasionally at home, regular oiling, cleaning, sensible loads and cool down breaks protect the motor and cutters. If you need a new machine, MyBinding carries paper shredders for home and office.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you clean shredder blades?
Turn off and unplug the shredder, open the cover, remove large pieces of paper and gently brush the blades or use compressed air. Do not blow into the cutting shaft or use a wet cloth or cleaning solutions.
How often should you oil a paper shredder?
In general, after about an hour of continuous shredding or whenever you empty the waste bin. Fellowes says at least twice a month. Cross cut and micro cut shredders usually need oil more often than strip cut ones, so check your manual.
Do paper shredders need oil?
Most do, because oil helps avoid excess heat and strain and keeps the machine quieter. Some models are oil free and some have automatic oilers, so check your manual to see what yours needs.
How long do paper shredders last?
With proper care, most shredders last 5 to 10 years or more. Oiling, cleaning, staying within the rated capacity and run time, and letting the shredder cool down all help.
Can you use WD-40 or cooking oil on a paper shredder?
Not unless the manufacturer approves it. WD-40 and other aerosols are not made for shredders and carry a flammability risk, and cooking oils can turn gummy and trap paper dust. Use oil labeled for paper shredders.
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