Vegetable oil in your paper shredder

bishop · 03-14-2009, 05:59 AM

Rather than buying the special shredder maintenance packages, which are essentially oil-and-paper sandwiches, drizzle some vegetable oil into the opening of your paper shredder and let it sit for a minute, then run paper through.

Alternatively, you can soak a few sheets of paper in the oil and run them through.

Just did this today and it works like a charm.

Lilybean · 03-14-2009, 11:25 AM

Wow! I am going to give that a shot. Thanks for the tip.

khorrell · 03-15-2009, 04:02 PM

I'd love to know if anyone has done any research into it...it sounds like a recipe for wrecking your shredder. But I don't know anything about it...

mcnerd · 03-15-2009, 04:28 PM

Shredder oil is just a pure oil without other additives to it. I just use my Singer sewing machine oil, but vegetable oil should work fine but I don't know how long it would last as a coating to lubricate.

bishop · 03-15-2009, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by khorrell

I'd love to know if anyone has done any research into it...it sounds like a recipe for wrecking your shredder. But I don't know anything about it...

It does sound dubious, but my father-in-law's shredder manual actually suggests doing it. Mine doesn't, but I tried nonetheless. After a day's use, the blades are clear and it runs much more smoothly.

mcnerd · 03-15-2009, 06:51 PM

My X-cut shredder actually came with a small bottle of "Shredder Lubricant" which the label just states is a biodegradable oil and is to reduce tooth wear and extend the life of the shredder. I used it up a long time ago and refilled it with the Singer oil. The instructions say:

"Turn off machine. Apply a small amount to the length of the metal teeth area of the shredder. Turn machine on and let run for 20 seconds and continue shredding paper. Reapply as needed."

cantretire · 03-19-2009, 08:42 PM

would mineral oil be better? Vegetable oil will eventually go rancid and could get smelly.

mcnerd · 03-20-2009, 06:03 AM

If you don't have a clean machine oil, yes mineral oil would be better over vegetable oil.

bishop · 03-21-2009, 06:11 AM

I will remember that for next time.

03-14-2009, 05:59 AM	#1
bishop Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pendleton, SC Posts: 64 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Reputation: (11)	Vegetable oil in your paper shredder Rather than buying the special shredder maintenance packages, which are essentially oil-and-paper sandwiches, drizzle some vegetable oil into the opening of your paper shredder and let it sit for a minute, then run paper through. Alternatively, you can soak a few sheets of paper in the oil and run them through. Just did this today and it works like a charm. __________________ -- Jonathan My blog

03-14-2009, 11:25 AM	#2
Lilybean Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (10)	Wow! I am going to give that a shot. Thanks for the tip. __________________ Wonderwall Fishful Thinking

03-15-2009, 04:02 PM	#3
khorrell Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: near Washington DC Posts: 608 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Reputation: (85)	I'd love to know if anyone has done any research into it...it sounds like a recipe for wrecking your shredder. But I don't know anything about it... __________________ The Paycheck Chronicles "helping military families make the most of their paychecks"

03-21-2009, 06:11 AM	#9
bishop Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pendleton, SC Posts: 64 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Reputation: (11)	I will remember that for next time. __________________ -- Jonathan My blog

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03-15-2009, 04:28 PM	#4
mcnerd Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 83 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (17)	Shredder oil is just a pure oil without other additives to it. I just use my Singer sewing machine oil, but vegetable oil should work fine but I don't know how long it would last as a coating to lubricate.

03-15-2009, 06:51 PM	#6
mcnerd Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 83 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (17)	My X-cut shredder actually came with a small bottle of "Shredder Lubricant" which the label just states is a biodegradable oil and is to reduce tooth wear and extend the life of the shredder. I used it up a long time ago and refilled it with the Singer oil. The instructions say: "Turn off machine. Apply a small amount to the length of the metal teeth area of the shredder. Turn machine on and let run for 20 seconds and continue shredding paper. Reapply as needed."

03-19-2009, 08:42 PM	#7
cantretire Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (10)	would mineral oil be better? Vegetable oil will eventually go rancid and could get smelly.

03-20-2009, 06:03 AM	#8
mcnerd Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 83 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (17)	If you don't have a clean machine oil, yes mineral oil would be better over vegetable oil.

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