You can put some documents through the shredder afterwards to clean away excess oil. Don’t cover your blades in water, as this can cause rust. DIY Oil Sheets Paper shredder oil isn’t just a generic oil. The oil is specially designed to use as a lubricant for paper shredders. But what is the oil made out of that makes it so ‘special’. According to research by Keith Barlow, from ABCoffice.com, the composition of shredder oil goes as following: Over time, paper can damage the performance of your standard shredder, generating dust and debris. The addition of oil means that you should be able to enjoy your cross-cut and zig-zag pattern shredders with no paper jams or problems. If using a bottle application of oil doesn’t appeal to you, there are other ways to improve the life of your shredder. If you don’t have shredder oil sheets, you can make your own with two sheets of A4 paper. Apply a thin amount of oil from left to right in the sheet without completely soaking the paper. Allow the oil to settle for a few seconds and follow the same instructions above. Turn on the reverse function and allow the shredder to rotate for a further half a minute so that the blades are well lubricated.

The type of shredder that you have makes a difference as well. A micro-cut shredder produces finer particles of paper and has more blades, making it more prone to clogs and therefore requiring more preventative maintenance than a cross-cut shredder. But, how often and when do you need to lubricate your paper shredder with oil or lubricant and sharpening sheets? Let’s find out below. How often should you oil and clean your paper shredder Lubricant sheets are the easiest way to oil a shredder, and many varieties will sharpen the blades at the same time. These paper shredder oil sheets come with the correct amount of oil already applied, and they look much like a thin envelope with the lubricated sheet in the middle. All you need to do is feed the sheet through the shredder and then switch it into reverse for a few moments to distribute the oil. The rule of thumb is: Oil your shredder with official shredder oil when the collection bin is full or after intensive use of the shredder. Oiling your shredder will keep the blades running smooth, and it will ensure optimal durability. Besides, if you own a “micro-cut shredder” you should lubricate it more often than a regular “cross-cut shredder.”The advantage of shredder lubricant sheets over regular shredder oil is that it is more convenient to use. You don’t have the hassle of using a bottle with a liquid oil that you need to pour inside the feed opening of your shredder. Just grab a lubrication sheet and shred it, that’s all you need to do. No more drips and spills. What are shredder bags? The frequency with which you should use a lubricant to remove dust and debris from your shredders depends on a number of things. Generally, manufacturers recommend keeping a bottle of oil handy, so you can oil the machine every time you go through a period of intensive use. With this method, you apply the official oil in a cross shape to a sheet of white A4 paper. Let it soak in for a bit and place another sheet of paper on top of it. Now you’ve created a ‘sandwich’.

If you notice that your shredder is not working as effectively as it usually would or it is making strange noises when you run it, that is a sign that it is likely getting clogged up, and you should apply some shredder oil. Q: Is shredder oil the same as sewing machine oil? Avoid using any shredder oil that’s not recommended by the instructions in your shredders. You don’t want to cause damage or paper jams. A: Sewing machines need to be oiled just like shredders do, but the products are not necessarily the same. With both sewing machines and shredders, the oils used mustn't be petroleum-based. However, even though some sewing machine oils are quite similar to shredder oils, chemical makeup can vary significantly. The manufacturer will have guidelines about the kinds of products that you should use and note that using a non-specific oil may void your warranty. Conclusion Pour the lubricant directly in the paper input from the left side to the right side in one smooth motion.Turn on the return function or reverse function and let the shredder run for another half a minute so that the blades are well lubricated. If you do not want to use the direct method, you can use the indirect method, also known as the sandwich method. You create a sandwich of oil between two sheets of paper and feed them into the shredder. First, take a piece of plain A4 paper and apply oil in a cross shape, then let it soak in for a few minutes. Put another sheet of paper over the top and then feed this into the shredder, making sure that no oil spills out of the sides. Things to keep in mind are the maximum amount of documents you can feed per pass, the type of materials you shred, and how often you clean the shredder with oil or a shredder lubricant sheet. Lubricant sheets keep your shredder in top condition. What shredder should you buy? No, it is not recommended to use WD-40 or other universal lubricants or penetrating oils to lubricate your shredder. Also, vegetable oil or another type of generic oil is not recommended to use as a lubricant for your shredder. Keep in mind that micro-cut shredders require maintenance more often than cross-cut and strip-cut shredders. What are lubricant sheets?

Please also refer to the manual for instructions on how to oil your shredder. Some shredders come with an ‘auto-oil functionality.’ These shredders take care of the oiling process all by themselves. The only thing you need to do is making sure there is enough oil in the compartment.

Do All Shredders Need Lubricant?

A: There is no simple answer to this question because it all depends on how often you use the shredder. As a general rule, you should be oiling your shredder each time you empty the collection bin. If you only use your shredder from time to time and don't fill the container very often, an application once every two months should suffice. For daily users, oil the shredder each time you empty it, even if this means oiling it more than once a day. Turn the reverse function on your shredder blades, and shred the sheets of paper, avoiding any oil spillage as you feed the paper into the paper entry system. You can use the cross-cut function during this maintenance process. Turn the reverse function on again and allow the shredder to rotate for another 30 seconds for optimum lubrication. Shredder Oil Sheets Using paper shredder oil sheets that come coated in grinding powder will also help to sharpen the blades of your shredder, which you cannot do manually. Q: What kind of oil do you use for a paper shredder? A: The most common shredder oils include Solvent Refined Hydrotreated Middle Distillate, Commercial Oleic Acid, Butylated Hydroxy Toluene, Severely Hydrotreated Light Naphthenic Distillate, Canola oil, and some vegetable oil derivatives. You must never use commercial lubricants, like WD40, on a shredder because this can do a lot of damage.

Prevention of the problem is better than finding a solution to the problem. So, to prevent your shredder’s blades from getting blunt, it is essential to perform regular maintenance on your shredder by oiling the shredder and by removing clogged paper particles and dust inside the feed opening. How long should a paper shredder last? Apply a thin line of oil from the top left to the bottom right of the sheet. And from top right to the bottom left. Make sure that you do not completely soak the paper with oil. It’s not just expensive or old-fashioned shredders that require regular lubrication. Paper shredders work best when the blades inside can move freely. Taking the time to oil your shredder means that you can keep the blades in better condition. It all depends on the quality of the shredder and how the operator uses the shredder machine. Always follow the guidelines on using the shredder, which you can find in the manufacturer’s instruction manual.

Remove any shredded documents from the bin, and avoid shredding any A4 paper (besides shredder sheet options) while you’re maintaining the device. Applicator Bottle