Must-Have Products for Start-Up Groomers
January 10th, 2023 in News & Blogs
Here at Mutneys, we would like to share our essential tips and advice to help start-up groomers. Find out everything you will need including a dog grooming equipment list, shampoos that suits different breeds and an overall checklist of what a salon needs.
Firstly, before buying your equipment it is important to consider the space you have. How much room do you have? Where are your electrical points? Do you have access to fresh running water and access to a waste water pipe or drain? Whether you have a large space such as a salon, garage or out-building or smaller space such as a kitchen or dining room, Mutneys manufacture a wide range of tables and baths in-house to fit any unique work spaces, to create the perfect working environment for any groomer! Find out more here.
Mutneys Electric Grooming Table
Manufactured by Mutneys, the Electric Grooming Table is a staple item for any groomer and come with many benefits. Having the ability to adjust the height saves straining your back lifting dogs and older / larger dogs can step onto the table without having to jump. This table can go all the way down to 50cm from the ground and reaches all the way up to 97cm.
Mutneys Super Tub Bath
The Super Tub Bath is a revolutionary height adjustable bath for use in all types of salons. The removable door makes it easier for larger dogs to step in, the removable booster shelf helps washing smaller dogs easier, plus it has anchor points for control straps and a handy bottle caddy to store your shampoos. Mutneys baths are made to order and hand-crafted in Shropshire, which brings added benefit of being able to choose any colour frame you like to match your salon!
Mutneys Heated Blaster
When it comes to drying, a heated blaster is a must. The Mutneys Heated Blaster is compact, powerful and comes with 3 heat settings and a variable speed controller. Use the cool setting to blast out excess water first (top tip: this can be done whilst the dog is still in the bath to reduce mess), then bring in the heat settings to dry the coat. You can get these as units on their own or with height adjustable stands.
Don’t forget about drying accessories. Towels are essential to initially rub the dog down. If you’re drying a double coated breed, make sure you’ve got a head net at the ready to protect you from the hair storm!
Corded / Cordless Clippers
As a student or new groomer we would recommend the Andis Super 2 Speed corded clipper. They are really easy to use, affordable, durable and compatible with all blades. Alternatively, if your budget is a little higher or you’re specifically after a cordless clipper, we would recommend the Heiniger Saphir. These are a top-seller cordless clipper as they are fairly quiet, ergonomic and aren’t too heavy to hold. They also compatible with all snap on blades.
Sharpening and servicing is crucial to keep your equipment maintained. Once your blades and scissors become blunt, you can send them off to be sharpened. You may find that parts of your blade need replacing but these parts do not cost a lot and it will extend the life of your tools. It is also imperative that you service your clippers and blasters at least once a year.
To significantly increase the life of your blades, it’s important to keep them clean on a daily basis. Mutneys Clipper Care Pack contains everything you need to keep your blades clean, sterilised and cool to ensure they work to the highest standard. The Clipper Cooling Spray, which comes in either an aerosol or trigger spray, is to be sprayed onto the blade throughout the day to instantly cool it down, to avoid overheating. The Clipper Oil should be used twice a day, once at the start of the day, then again at the end to lubricate the blades. The Blade Wash should be used every 1-2 weeks to clean, disinfect and degrease your blades.
Paw Print Scissor Pack
For start-up groomers, we have created a basic set that covers the most important types of scissor. The Paw Print Scissors Pack includes an 8″ poodle shear, 7″ straight shear, 5″ straight for the face / feet and a 5.5″ double sided thinning scissor.
Slicker Brush
Brushes are a staple in your tool kit. A slicker brush is used over the whole body to remove tangles. These brushes come in a variety of sizes and are great for thick fur and curly coated breeds.
Rubber Massage Pad
Rubber massage pads are great for short coated breeds, to remove the shedding hair. They can also be used in the bath to help lather the shampoo and massage the coat.
Combs
Combs are important when finishing and styling. You may find a comb helpful to ease out a tangle. They come in a variety of sizes, from a small 4.5” comb for the face, to a 10” poodle comb.
Undercoat Rake
Undercoat Rakes come in various options, depending on breed and fur type. They are used for removing the dead undercoat and are particularly handy for double coated breeds.
Shampoo
Having a wide range of shampoo suited for different breeds is essential. Anti-Tangle shampoo is perfect for poodle mixes with curly or knotted coats, De-Shedding is great for moulting breeds including huskies and staffies, Hypo-Allergenic is formulated for dogs that suffer with sensitive skin, All Black for dogs with black coats, Berry Blue for white coats and Golden Caramel for brown coats. As well as speciality shampoos, there are also many general purpose shampoos, which can be used on all breeds and are a staple item for any salon. These shampoos are developed by professionals, as they’ve been tried and tested by professional groomers to ensure the highest quality. They do not use any artificial dyes or bleaching agents, are biodegradable, eco-friendly and made in Shropshire. Most importantly when buying your shampoo, keep an eye out for the dilution rate to make sure you’re getting the most out your money. A dilution rate of 10:1 will mean your shampoo will last 10 times longer, so the higher the dilution rate the better. Get 25% off when buying 4 or more 5ltr Mutneys shampoo.
Fragrance Spray
Fragrance sprays make the perfect finishing touch to any groom, to make the dog smell gorgeous just before you hand them over to their owner. Make sure you look out for alcohol-based finishing sprays as they last significantly longer and dry quicker compared to water-based. They also do not leave a wet or sticky residue on the coat after spraying which is important.
Coat Care Spray
Lots of coats need that little extra something to help maintain them, so this is where coat care sprays come in handy. For example, Mutneys Anti-Tangle Spray helps to eliminate knots and matts when brushing the coat. Spray onto the troubled areas and work through the area with a brush or comb. The Coat Shine Spray is a great finishing touch to any groom as it will leave a shine on even the dullest of coats and has a sophisticated scent. Kwik-Dry Spray can help significantly reduce drying time, as well as leaves a hint of Baby fragrance. Spray liberally onto the coat after bathing before you dry to significantly speed up drying time.
If you would like any further information, please call our friendly team on +44 (0)1948 841 470. Alternatively, visit our showroom to browse our full range of grooming products.
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For more information, watch our ‘Must-Have Products for Start-Up Dog Groomers’ video below!