A hedge trimmer makes the process of trimming shrubs and hedges to get that uniform shape a much easier process. Much like any other tool containing metal blades like chainsaws, the hedge trimmer can show signs of stickiness after continued use. The best way to restore these blades to their former glory is by properly lubricating them regularly. Care for tools, especially across seasons is key for performance and use.

This is why the job of a lubricant is super important, especially in equipment that requires a certain level of investment. Now, there are tons of lubricants in the market – some of which could be of more harm to your blades than good. To ease your shopping journey, we bring you our list of the 5 best lubricants for your hedge trimmers that will keep your equipment up and running.

Before jumping into the rundown, let’s brief you all about some necessary side factors, like the kinds of lubricant, how to correctly lubricate your trimmers, and much more. 

What to Know Before Buying Lubricants for Your Hedge Trimmers 

For the best results, your blades should be cleaned before any sort of oil is applied to them. The organic material buildup in the blades can release moisture which can cause corrosion. Regular cleaning will resist damage and preserve the lives of the blades. 

So, exactly which oil is the best for hedge trimmers? Any engine oil should do the trick, but we have our own set of recommendations. 

Why Should You Lubricate the Blades?

Early, unexpected malfunctioning of hedge trimmers can usually be traced back to the absence of lubrication. If the users don’t maintain them, these trimmers won’t last long. 

The blades on these hedge trimmers will have some debris buildup and tree sap clogged in there with time, and this causes the blades to become sticky. When the blades aren’t clean, the cuts are improper and rough, leaving you with a result you absolutely wouldn’t be pleased with. If you continue using the hedge trimmer like this – without oiling the blades, chances are that the hedge trimmer will be beyond repair at one point and just break down permanently.

Can I Use WD40 On My Hedge Trimmer?

Wd40 is an all-time favorite and nicely effective multipurpose lubricant, but we wouldn’t recommend using it for your hedge trimmers. Why? Because this particular oil is a penetrating one, which can provide metals with lubrication as well as protecting them from rust. It might be a temporary solution to oil those hedge trimmer blades, but it’s not the most efficient way to stop the buildup of that sappy, waxy residue on the blades. 

Additionally, the WD40 has been known to cause damage to plants, which defeats the entire purpose of whipping out a hedge trimmer. 

In cases when you have absolutely no alternative, you could use the WD40. But we still suggest you store up on your lubricants if you want the best for your hedge trimmers and garden.

How to Lubricate

The oiling can be done some few different ways, but not all of them will produce in the optimum results for all trimmers. If you’re using a manual trimmer, the blade can be safely dipped into a container of oil. 

On the other hand, electric trimmers should either receive a rubbing of oil onto the blades via a cloth, or a good spray down.

Try to oil your blades every 30 minutes of use – prior to and after using. A machine oil applicator is a more professional approach at this, but you could achieve similar results with a grease-covered rag or a paintbrush. Make sure to cover every single tooth, at the meeting point of the upper and lower blades.

After application, you have to wipe off the excess with another clean rag. Remember to wear protective gloves during the whole process and wipe carefully. Don’t put too much pressure on it as you will end up taking off too much oil.

Immediately after the oiling, you’ll notice how your hedge trimmers produce significantly lesser sound and cuts quickly.

How Often Should I Oil

It’s best if you lubricate your hedge trimmers after every use; this is the best way to keep them functional for longer. As per stated before, you could apply the lubricant before pruning a bush or hedge to stop the sticking of sap from the hedge on to the blades. After the trimming is done, giving the blades one more helping of oils helps remove sap and restores moisture on it while storing till next use.

Some Other Things to Maintain to Care for Your Hedge Trimmers

We talked about oiling the blades after every use, but it’s equally important to wipe your hedge trimmers to get the debris off. Wiping the blade will give you an organic residue-free canvas that isn’t as susceptible to rusts and corrosion. After the cleaning and oiling are complete, store the hedge trimmer away from its usual area of work, like a garage or shed. It can be hung by the handle or laid flat on a worktable to store. Avoid storing it under a plastic cover as this creates condensation.

5 Best Lubricants for Your Hedge Trimmers 

1. 3-IN-ONE – 10045 Motor Oil (B00065VGUC) – Best Overall 

There are very few products that are well within the “budget” category and outshine the higher-end ones, and the 1. 3-IN-ONE – 10045 Motor Oil is a perfect example. It’s a long-lasting product that’s perfect for lubricating the functional parts of electrical motors. With a non-detergent formula specially created for these electric motors, the oil doesn’t clump or damage the motor shaft or bearing. This features a high-quality SAE 20 oil blend with special additives to make the oil much more viscous. In return, the viscosity provided greater wear protection. Extend the life of your hedge trimmer’s motor’s life by using this oil as it will effectively decrease wear and tear. It’s super easy to use and thanks to the Marksman Twist Spout, the product can be used in target areas conveniently.

This is one incredible lubricant to keep around the house that will make your life easier to an extent. The brand, 3-in-One has been in the industry since 1894 and has earned a reputation for bringing only quality products to the market.

Pros:

• Amazing value for money.
• Easy to use.
• Compact size perfect for storing away in almost any box or toolkit.
• Multipurpose – lubricates a ton of things like electric motors, ceiling fans, etc.

Cons:

• Has a slight odor.

Product Link: Check Here

2. Fluid Film TPAS11 Powerful Rust & Corrosion Protection Lubricant (B00B93ZXGS)

The Fluid Film TPAS11 is a strong lubricant that resists rust and corrosion with an ultra-thick yet smooth formula. Featuring a unique blend of highly refined petroleum oils, carefully processed wool-wax, and chosen agents to safeguard your engines from corrosion, metal wetting, penetration, and water displacement. For added convenience, you can pick up three of these aerosol cans in a single pack – each weighing 11.75 oz. On the negative side, it does help with mud and snow buildup, but the cleanup is super easy. Just take it off with some water, and you’re good to go. The primary it’s so tacky is to fill the seam and gaps to stop the seeping in of moisture and salt, the main criminals behind rusting. Okay, unrelated but fun fact: Customers have noted that this oil actually repels mice. So, multipurpose use? However, you can owe it to the overwhelming odor. But since it does the job it was bought for so well; users don’t really mind it. 

The lubrication will last for a long time, constantly delivering protection to your hedge trimmer. If you could get over the smell, it’s a great product with a 4.8 out of 5 ratings on Amazon.

Pros:

• Great performance.
• Contains an impressive amount of oil.
• Easy to use.
• Non-toxic to plants and bushes.

Cons:

• Somewhat expensive.
• The odor.

Product Link: Check Here

3. Stihl 0781 120 1109 Multipurpose Gearbox Grease

Quite safe to say the Stihl 0781 120 1109 Multipurpose Gearbox Grease has a cult following, and it’s easy to see why. Specifically created formula for electric saws and hedge trimmers, this grease features authentic OEM Stihl part. Additionally, it seamlessly adheres to metal surfaces, giving very good protection from the wear and tear under some pretty severe weather conditions. Additionally, your hedge trimmer will be safe from water displacement, and the oil is oxidation-stable. Once you get this grease, you will be able to put it to a lot of work, just like the name suggests. If you’re a newbie and have no clue how to put the lubricant in, then you’ll love how beginner-friendly the packaging is. Simply remove the hex cover, screw the tube directly into the head, and pump some grease in. It’s as easy as that!

This small tube will last you for months! There’s not much mess which means it could be used on smaller tools without having the oil go almost everywhere. 

Pros:

• Good value for money.
• Universal grease.
• Solid protection against corrosion.
• Impressive performance even in extreme weather.

Cons:

• On the expensive side.

Product Link: Check Here

4. CRC 3-36 Multipurpose Lubricant (B00192EX10)

If you’re looking for a lubricant that’s thick, gets the job done, but doesn’t leave a sticky, goopy mess everywhere, then the CRC 3-36 Multipurpose Lubricant is one for the task. The formula is a versatile petroleum-based one that creates a thin, clear film over the bearings that lubricates, giving superior protection against corrosion and wear. On top of that, the oil will seep through the cracks and into the corrosion to slowly release the frozen parts. By displacing the moisture, there are no chances of rust. Since hedge trimmers work closely with plants and living things, the formula needs to be safe. And this lubricant is NSF H2 registered for the same purpose. In addition to that, it’s VOC (Volatile organic compounds) compliant. Every aerosol can comes with 11 oz of oil.

You could use this on a wide range of objects apart from hedge trimmers – jointer, table saw, woodworking, cast iron tools, etc.

Pros:

• Amazing rust protection.
• Silicon-based formula – non-toxic.
• Doesn’t leave the oily residue.
• Dries down fast.
• Multipurpose.

Cons:

• Not that effective in cooler weathers.

Product Link: Check Here

5. Star Brite 098212 Star Brite Ultimate Lubricating Fluid(B00TUNLWHI)

You can be more sure that a product will be good from the name of the brand, and in this case, Star Brite has been producing in the USA since 1973, earning quite a name for themselves. Starting from waxes, to polishes, motor oils, cleaners, fuel additives, teak finishes, and much more, Star Brite rarely disappoints. Each item that is set to be introduced in the market goes through a set of extensive test to make sure they’ll be loved and put to great use. Only the best quality ingredients are mixed together, using state-of-the-art technology. For this particular lubricant, the formula is a mix of lanolin and Cerflon polymer that gives an extra slick surface to fight off moisture. An all-season grease that’s non-toxic and solvent-free? What else could we ever ask for! To protect any sort of sporting goods or blades from corrosion, the spray forms a micro-thin yet long-lasting film. On inboard and outboard engines, a protective barrier is formed which efficiently lubricates hinges and chains and closes battery terminals. You don’t have to worry about any sort of buildup on the place where it’s been spray thanks to the non-stick formula.

All in all, the 098212 Star Brite Ultimate Lubricating provides a good range of general uses as well as special care for your precious hedge trimmers.

Pros:

• Non-sticky formulation.
• Works on a wide variety of tools.
• Non-toxic.
• Gives superior protection from rust and corrosion.

Cons:

• Doesn’t spray that well.

Product Link: Check Here

Bonus: 3-IN-ONE Fast-Acting Penetrant Drip Oil (B00J25JD6Q)

What better product to end the ranking on than a 3-in-One lubricant? We’ve become a fan of their oils, and the 3-IN-ONE Fast-Acting Penetrant Drip Oil is definitely one of their finer creations. The liquid quickly penetrates the corrosion to loosen the frozen bits while preventing rust buildup. According to independent laboratory tests, this formula has been shown to possess 3x the penetration power compared to its contemporaries. You could use the oil on tools, nuts, bolts, and hinges. It’s also safe for use on rubber, plastic and metal. This is one of those classic cases on “one-stop solution” to many problems, and we really like it. Sometimes, it gets difficult to reach those targeted zones because you can’t really maneuver the lid of the lubricant. With the squeeze bottle design, you have better control over how much you pump out and also where you want it to reach. The size is convenient for usage in automotive, homes, and marine equipment. Their signature Marksman Twist Spout eases the application and aiming process. 

Pros:

• Threefold penetration power.
• Super affordable.
• Frees rusted bits.
• Prevents rust.
• No mess.

Cons:

• Weak packaging from their Amazon unit.

Product Link: Check Here

Conclusion

You should always oil your hedge trimmer blades pre and post usage. You can actively increase the lifetime of your hedge trimmers by taking some extra minutes to supply that oiling and maintenance that you would with any other moving product. Keep your blades safe from moisture, foliage, and keep the whole thing clean and sanitary.