eer around the average grooming area and what do you see? Probably lots of tools and equipment. From simple, basic combs and brushes to complicated bathing systems, electric and hydraulic tables, clippers, vacuum systems and more. We may have gotten into the business because we want to work with animals, but we fairly quickly discover that we need to learn to take care of and maintain the tools and equipment that keep us going.
So, let’s play a little multiple-choice game and see how well you know how to take care of your precious, hardworking possessions…
- Go buy a new vacuum.
- Change the paper filter in the vacuum.
- Clean the canister.
- Soak the hose and wand in disinfectant, and then let them dry in the sun.
Demystifying the Death-Smell Vacuum
You turn on your shop vacuum to suck up the bushel-basket of fur you just clipped off an 80-pound doodle (that somehow missed its last two scheduled appointments). The air is suddenly filled with a very unpleasant scent. It smells a bit like something crawled into the vacuum and died.
- Go buy a new vacuum.
- Change the paper filter in the vacuum.
- Clean the canister.
- Soak the hose and wand in disinfectant, and then let them dry in the sun.
Finally, fill your tub up deep enough that you can soak the vacuum hose and wands in hot water and disinfectant. Let them soak for an hour or two, or even overnight, then flush with hot water and hang them somewhere to dry. Bonus points if you can manage to hang them somewhere in the sun. Doing this monthly will prevent that death smell from permeating your vacuum.
- Scrub it with a metal scrubbing pad.
- Gather your dish soap, white vinegar and maybe some oil.
- Grab some scouring powder and go to town.
- Bring out the bleach.
To keep your investment looking shiny and spot-free, B is the best answer. Choose mild products to keep the metal clean without damaging it. High-quality dish soap applied with a soft cloth or sponge can be used, as can white vinegar in a spray bottle, which is also effective.
The benefits of cleaning with vinegar are that, because it is mildly acidic, it effectively kills some bacteria and has a deodorizing effect, while also being perfectly safe around animals. Some people add a few drops of their favorite essential oil to the vinegar to give it a pleasant scent.
After spraying the metal with soap or vinegar, rinse well. Wipe the area with the metal’s grain to remove all moisture. Lint-free microfiber cloths do a beautiful job without scratching and will prevent spotting.
To make the stainless shine, try using a Magic Eraser. Some people also polish the metal with coconut or olive oil to give it a deep luster. To do this, apply a small amount of oil to a clean, dry cloth and wipe the surface with the grain.
- Say unkind things about your sharpener.
- See if clipping in reverse helps.
- Try a different blade.
- Change your blade drive assembly.
If you chose C or D, you get a gold star. If the second blade also leaves an uneven finish, it’s time to replace your blade drive. This small plastic part on your clipper allows the cutting portion of your clipper blade to move back and forth, and as it wears, the movement of the blade is restricted and shortened, resulting in an uneven, ridged clipping pattern.
It requires changing more often than you’d think, and keeping spares on hand is a must. You can refer to the instructions that came with your clipper or check the internet for informative videos. Once you know how, keeping this vital part of your clipper in good working condition is not difficult.
- Ignore it. You are busy, and those dogs don’t dry themselves.
- Hurl it to the ground and do a dance of frustration.
- Secretly switch the dryer with the one your co-workers usually use and hope they will figure out what the problem is.
- Unplug it and remove the case to investigate the problem.
If you discover that is not the problem, check the brushes (if your dryer has them) to make sure they are not worn. If you can’t find an obvious problem, it’s time to send the dryer to a professional for repair. Using a dryer that is not running correctly isn’t safe.
Maintaining the grooming tools and equipment that help us perform our job to the best of our ability, clean and in good repair, can be a challenge. Keeping backup tools and spare parts on hand, along with a toolkit, the ability to do some research online and a good sense of humor, can see us through.