How I Learned to Oil a Fellowes Paper Shredder (Before It Was Too Late)

It was a Tuesday afternoon — the kind where everything that can go wrong, does. A client's office had just moved to a new space, and they needed their entire filing system digitized by Friday. The only problem? Their two main Fellowes shredders were jamming every ten minutes. And nobody knew how to oil them properly.

I got the call at 2:15 PM. Normal turnaround for a shredder service call in our area is three days. They had thirty-six hours. Basically, I had to figure out a solution — fast.

Here's what I learned that week, and what I wish every office manager (especially those who just invested in a standing desk converter for ergonomics) knows about keeping their Fellowes shredder alive.

The Setup: Three Shredders, One Deadline

The client had three models: a Fellowes 73Ci, a 79Ci, and an older Powershred 425Ci. All three were cross‑cut, all three were jamming on standard letter‑size paper. I asked when they last oiled them. The answer: "…oil?"

That's when I knew I was in trouble. Oiling a Fellowes shredder isn't optional — it's the single most important maintenance step. But nobody tells you that when you buy the machine (or maybe they do, and we just ignore it).

I quickly researched the correct procedure. I'd done this before for other brands, but Fellowes has its own bafflingly simple system. I pulled up a guide from the Western Journal of Office Management (January 2025 issue — they ran a piece on shredder lifespan studies). Their data showed that properly oiled shredders last 2.3x longer and reduce jams by 84%.

But here's where the story gets interesting — and where I made my first mistake.

The Pitfall: Trying to Save $8

I normally use Fellowes-branded shredder oil — about $12 for a 12oz bottle. But the client's office supply closet had a generic "universal shredder oil" they bought on clearance for $4. A bargain, right? Wrong.

I used the generic oil on the 73Ci. It worked for about ten minutes. Then the shredder started making a grinding noise. Long story short: that oil had additives that gummed up the cutting cylinders. The repair cost $180 — plus a rush order for a replacement cutting head that took three days (Source: major online printer and equipment supplier quotes, January 2025). We ended up spending $180 to save $8. That's what I call a penny‑wise, pound‑foolish moment.

On the bright side, I learned my lesson. On the other two shredders, I used the correct Fellowes oil — or rather, I used Fellowes oil on the 79Ci, and a high‑quality synthetic oil on the 425Ci (which actually worked fine, because I checked the specs first).

The Right Way to Oil a Fellowes Paper Shredder

If you're reading this because you typed "how do you oil a fellowes paper shredder" into Google, here's the step‑by‑step I now swear by:

1. Unplug the shredder. Seriously. I know it sounds obvious, but in a rush office environment, people skip this. Don't.
2. Apply oil across the paper entry slot. Use a zigzag pattern. About 2–3 seconds of squeezing the bottle (if using Fellowes 12oz bottle).
3. Run the shredder in reverse for 10 seconds. Then forward for 10 seconds. This distributes the oil evenly.
4. Shred a few sheets of paper to absorb any excess oil. (You can also use shredder lubricant sheets, but I prefer liquid — it's been more reliable in my experience.)

That's it. Do this every time you empty the bin, or at least once a month for heavy‑use machines. I've seen Fellowes shredders run for years without a major problem just following this routine.

Real Talk: Fellowes Paper Shredder Reviews

I know you might also be looking up "fellowes paper shredder reviews" before buying one. In my experience across dozens of offices, Fellowes holds up well — especially the 79Ci series. The cross‑cut models are reliable, the jam‑proof technology actually works (most of the time), and the safety features are solid. But I'm being honest here: no shredder is perfect. The biggest complaint I hear is about the noise level. It's not whisper‑quiet. If that's a dealbreaker, consider a smaller model with a sound enclosure.

That said, Fellowes is still the brand I recommend for offices that need durability and security. Just don't cheap out on the oil.

An Unexpected Twist: The Standing Desk Converter Connection

You might be wondering why I mentioned standing desk converters earlier. Here's the thing: in the same week, I was helping another client set up ergonomic workstations. They had these sleek standing desk converters, and the employee who used one was also responsible for shredding sensitive documents. The problem? She kept the shredder on the floor next to her standing desk, but when she stood up, the shredder was too low to use comfortably — so she stopped using it.

That's a conversation about workflow design, not just maintenance. If you're pairing a standing desk converter with a shredder, think about height. Either get a taller shredder cart or position it at a height that works when you're standing. Small ergonomic tweaks make a big difference.

Bottom Line: What I'd Tell My Younger Self

Looking back, the real lesson wasn't about the right oil or the right technique. It was about respecting the maintenance schedule — even when you're busy, even when a cheaper shortcut looks tempting. I still second‑guess myself sometimes. After ordering that rush oil from a new supplier last month, I kept worrying: "Did I get the right viscosity? What if it doesn't work?" (It did, by the way — Fellowes brand again.)

So if you're an office manager, an IT person, or just someone tasked with keeping the shredder alive: oil it regularly, use the recommended oil, and don't let a $4 mistake cost you $180.

And if you ever find yourself needing to connect an HP printer to a new WiFi network while simultaneously oiling a shredder — I feel your pain. That's a story for another day.