Cleaning garden tools is rarely the highlight of anyone’s weekend, but dirty shears are a disaster for your plants. Gunked-up blades spread disease and dull edges crush stems rather than cutting them cleanly.
We put together this guide to help you deep clean, remove rust, and sharpen your favorite pruners. It is easier than you think, and it saves you from buying a new pair every spring.
Let’s get those tools looking brand new.
Key Takeaways
- Deep clean: Disassemble shears and soak in vinegar to strip rust, then use steel wool or a stiff brush for grime.
- Wash and dry: Scrub with warm soapy water and dry completely to prevent immediate re-rusting.
- Sterilize: Wipe blades with rubbing alcohol or a bleach solution to kill bacteria and fungi.
- Maintain: Sharpen the beveled edge regularly and lubricate moving parts with mineral oil or 3-in-1 oil.
How to Clean Pruning Shears
There are several ways to tackle dirty pruning shears, but a deep clean requires a little disassembly. This method removes sap, rust, and soil effectively.
- Disassemble the shears: Unscrew the nut holding the blades together. Lay the pieces out on a towel in order so you do not lose springs or screws. This allows you to reach hidden grime in the pivot point.
- Soak to remove rust: Submerge the metal parts in a container of distilled white vinegar for 12 to 24 hours. The acidity eats away the corrosion without damaging the steel.
- Scrub the blades: Remove the tools from the vinegar. Use fine steel wool or a wire brush to buff away the loosened rust. If there is stubborn dried sap, a bit of mineral spirits or rubbing alcohol helps break it down.
- Wash with soap: Scrub the parts with warm water and dish soap to remove any vinegar residue and remaining dirt.
- Dry immediately: Moisture is the enemy here. Dry every single piece thoroughly with a clean cloth.
- Reassemble: Put the shears back together. Tighten the nut until the blades move smoothly but do not wobble.
How to Sterilize Pruning Shears
Cleaning removes dirt, but sterilizing kills the invisible pathogens that hurt your garden. You should sterilize your tools between plants to stop the spread of blights and fungus.
- Choose your disinfectant: Isopropyl alcohol (70% or higher) is the easiest option. You can also use a household disinfectant cleaner or a mix of one part bleach to nine parts water.
- Soak or spray: If using alcohol, simply spray the blades or wipe them down generously. If using a bleach solution, soak the blades for about 10 minutes.
- Rinse and dry: If you use bleach, rinse the metal thoroughly with water to prevent corrosion. Alcohol evaporates quickly and does not require rinsing.
- Wipe dry: Ensure the tool is bone dry before storing it.
Don’t Forget
If you used a towel to wipe down diseased tools, that towel is now contaminated. Wash it in hot water with a strong laundry detergent before using it again.
How to Sharpen Garden Shears
If your garden shears mash stems rather than snipping them, they are too dull. Sharpening is intimidating for beginners, but it is actually quite straightforward.
- Identify the bevel: Look at the blade. Most bypass pruners are beveled (angled) on only one side. You only sharpen the angled side, never the flat side.
- Position the file: Hold the shears firmly. Place a diamond file or whetstone against the beveled edge at the same angle as the factory grind (usually around 20 degrees).
- File in one direction: Apply moderate pressure and push the file across the blade in a sweeping motion away from your body. Lift the file, return to the start, and repeat. Do not saw back and forth.
- Remove the burr: After the edge looks shiny and sharp, run the file flat against the back (flat) side of the blade just once. This knocks off the “burr” or wire edge created during sharpening.
When In Doubt
If you have expensive shears and feel nervous about ruining the angle, take them to a local hardware store or garden center. Many offer professional sharpening services for a small fee.
How to Maintain Pruning Shears
Preventative maintenance keeps your tools running smoothly for years. Treat your shears right, and you won’t have to spend hours scrubbing rust later.
- Sharpen regularly: Touch up the blade with a few passes of a file every few weeks during the gardening season. It takes seconds and keeps the cuts clean.
- Lubricate the pivot: Apply a few drops of lubricating oil (like 3-in-1 or mineral oil) to the moving parts and spring. Open and close the shears to work the oil in. WD-40 is great for cleaning, but true lubricating oil is better for long-term smooth action.
- Wipe after every use: Keep a rag in your pocket while you garden. Wipe off sap and moisture before you head back inside.
- Store them dry: Never leave tools out in the rain or sitting in a damp shed corner. A dry toolbox or a bucket of sand mixed with oil is a great place to store metal tools.
- Clean after chemical use: If you prune plants treated with pesticides or fertilizers, wash the blades immediately. These chemicals react with metal and cause rapid corrosion.
FAQs
How Does Vinegar Remove Rust From Tools?
Vinegar removes rust because it contains acetic acid, which reacts with iron oxide (rust) and dissolves it. It is mild enough to be safe for home use but potent enough to strip corrosion if you let the tools soak for several hours.
What Oil Is Good for Pruners?
Camellia oil, mineral oil, and 3-in-1 Multi-Purpose Oil are excellent for lubricating pruners because they prevent rust and do not become gummy. While WD-40 is a great cleaner and water displacer, a dedicated lubricating oil offers better long-term protection for the pivot point.
Can I Use Clorox Wipes to Clean Pruning Shears?
You can use Clorox wipes to sanitize pruning shears between cuts. They effectively kill bacteria and are convenient for quick wipe-downs in the garden. Just be sure to wipe the blades dry afterward to prevent the moisture from causing rust.
Can I Use Hydrogen Peroxide to Clean Pruning Shears?
Yes, hydrogen peroxide is a safe disinfectant for garden tools. Soak the blades in standard 3% hydrogen peroxide for 10 to 15 minutes to kill pathogens, or wipe them down vigorously. It is less corrosive than bleach but slightly less effective against certain viruses.
Can You Sharpen Garden Shears With a Knife Sharpener?
You can use a handheld knife sharpener on garden shears if the sharpener fits the blade angle. However, you must disassemble the shears first so the blade fits into the sharpening slot. A flat file or whetstone generally offers better control for the specific bevel of pruning shears.
How Do You Keep Pruners From Rusting?
The best way to prevent rust is to clean sap off the blades after every use, dry them thoroughly, and apply a light coat of oil before storage. Storing them in a dry environment away from humidity is also critical.
How Do You Remove Sticky Sap From Pruning Shears?
Pine pitch and plant sap harden like glue and are tough to remove with just soap. Use a solvent like rubbing alcohol, mineral spirits, or even a little bit of WD-40 on a cloth to dissolve the sticky residue before scrubbing the blades.
