Your shredder is one of your most important tools in your data destruction, so you need to keep it in good working use. The best way to do this is to make sure you oil your shredder regularly. Many people wonder whether they can use WD40 instead of shredder oil. It’s cheaper, more readily available, and it works wonders elsewhere. In this article, we will compare WD40 and shredder oil to determine which is the best for data destruction shredders.
What is Shredder Oil, and What is WD40?
Shredder oil is a specialized type of lubricant for sharpening and cutting the blades of a shredder. It is essential for regular maintenance of almost every shredder, as it extends the life of your shredder. Not only that, it also keeps your shredder running smoothly and efficiently by clearing buildup and thick paper jams.
WD40 is a multi-use blend of lubricants that acts as a lubricant, rust preventive, penetrant, and moisture displacer. The lubricant aspect of WD40 leads many people to believe that it can be used as a replacement for shredder oil.
When Should You Oil Your Shredder?
Oil is the most important thing in keeping your shredder working well, so making sure you regularly oil your shredder is crucial. Lubricating a cross cut or high security shredder is essential for prolonging the life of the cutting head. Oil the shredder frequently!
We recommend that you oil your shredder whenever you empty it, or when you use the shredder intensively. In this case, you should oil the blades. Micro-cut shredders generally need oiling more than cross cut and strip cut shredders.
Why You Should Use Shredder Oil Over WD40
While WD40 can be useful for other things such as hinges, it’s not recommended to use WD40 on a paper shredder. WD40 is not designed to lubricate a shredder head properly, and it would cause a paper jam. This is because WD40 would wet the blades and gum up, causing your paper to stick together, which could create a real problem.
It’s always best to use shredder oil specifically designed to lubricate the shredder head without becoming sticky or generating a buildup issue. This is why we recommend using dedicated shredder oil.
Can You Use Shredder Oil Alternatives?
No, it is not recommended to use universal lubricants or penetrating oils to lubricate your shredder. Also, you shouldn’t use vegetable oil, olive oil, or another type of generic oil as a lubricant for your shredder. These types of generic oils can damage your machine.
You should always use official shredder oil. You can check your shredder’s user manual to find out what type of oil is recommended by the manufacturer. You can also use shredder oil from Whitaker Brothers.
Why You Should Use Whitaker Brothers Shredder Oil
Whitaker Brothers oil is high-cling, high viscosity, light weight, and specially formulated for business/commercial paper shredders. This is high-quality, petroleum-based shredder oil, which is perfect for all types of shredder.
It is always recommended to use a petroleum-based shredder oil, because if you resort to using the inexpensive water-based shredder oil, it will be of no benefit to your commercial grade shredder. This is because the heat generated by a commercial grade shredder causes low quality oil to turn into a waxy buildup. This buildup will cause problems in your shredder that could have been avoided if you had used a high-quality oil.
