Secateurs get dirty over time and may even rust. In the following you will find out how to properly clean your secateurs, which cleaning agents are suitable and how to protect them from rust.
Secateurs should be thoroughly cleaned at least once a year
Clean and dry secateurs regularly
In order to keep your secateurs for a long time, it is advisable to clean them briefly after each use and, above all, to ensure that they are not stowed away wet or damp. For regular cleaning, it is best to use a wire brush and simply brush off dirt, wood residue and other things. If the scissors get wet, let them dry in the sun or rub them dry with a dry cloth and then brush off any dirt again.
Thorough cleaning of the secateurs
You should clean your pruning shears thoroughly at least once a year, and more often if you use them frequently. Autumn is a good time to do this, after all the shrubs have been trimmed and the pruning shears are to be stored for the winter. So that it doesn't start to rust here or the dirt settles, it should now be cleaned properly.
You need this for thorough cleaning of the secateurs
Unlike when cleaning objects made of plastic or the like, no products containing soap are used to clean the garden shears. Instead you need:
- screwdriver or wrench
- wire brush
- absorbent cloth
- coarse whetstone
- fine whetstone
- oil
This is how you proceed when cleaning the secateurs
- First remove coarse dirt with the wire brush.
- Loosen the spring and clean it with the brush as well.
- Now unscrew the screw of the secateurs with the wrench or the screwdriver and take the secateurs apart.
- Moisten the whetstone with water or even better: leave the whetstone in water for an hour before use so that it can soak up water.
- Then "clean" your secateurs with the sharpening stone, grinding the blades from both sides in a circular motion.
- You can then sharpen your pruning shears with a fine whetstone. You can find out how to do this here.
- Now dry both parts well with an absorbent cloth.
- Last but not least, you can put some oil on the screw and the joints to make the secateurs more supple.
tips
Always ensure you have a good grip so that you do not injure yourself.