Paper shredders are maintained using lubrication substrates that have been treated with or that carry a lubricant. The lubrication substrate is fed through the shredding mechanism of a paper shredder. Rather than requiring disassembly of the paper shredder, maintenance and lubrication can be performed by passing the lubrication substrate through the shredding mechanism. The lubrication substrates can take any of a variety of forms, such as a tissue that is encased in a cellophane or plastic envelope and is impregnated with oil. The lubrication substrates can instead have an array of small tubes that carry oil. In another example, the lubrication substrates can take for them of a bubble sheet that carries oil within the bubbles.