See how to clean and sharpen your pruning shears for years of use.
Are your pruning shears looking a little worse for wear? Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting out, maintaining the life of your pruning shears is important. If you want to get the most from your garden tools and keep them crisp, clean, and sharp so you can get top quality results each time then it’s important to know how to clean and sharpen them correctly.
That’s where this article comes in. We spoke with a master gardener about all things pruning shears: what the easiest way is to sharpen them; how to clean gunk off; what the best lubricant for them is; how do remove tree sap from them; as well as general cleaning tips. Our collective expertise here is complete material that we believe will help gardeners of every level.
We know sharpening shears can be intimidating but don’t worry. Learn How To Clean & Sharpen Pruning Shears From A Master Gardener provides clear step-by-step instruction on exactly what you need to do maintain the condition of your pruners. It also includes advice on when it’s best NOT take take matters into your own hands – let us teach you about when professional sharpening services can save a ton of time and money in the long run.
What Is The Easiest Way To Sharpen Garden Shears?
Sharpening garden shears is an important part of maintaining them and ensuring that they are in good condition for use. The easiest way to sharpen garden shears is to use a coarse file and a vise. To begin, set the tool in the vise, then make a few passes over the blade with the file. Make sure to hold it at a 20-degree angle and push away from yourself as you follow the shape of the beveled cutting edge with each pass. This should be done for 15-20 strokes until all rust has been removed from the blades. After this, you can use steel wool to polish any metal parts on your shears, such as handles or screws. This will help prevent rusting and keep them looking new for longer periods of time.
In addition to sharpening your garden shears with a file and steel wool, it’s also important to oil any metal parts on them regularly in order to prevent rusting or corrosion over time. You can do this by simply wiping down all metal surfaces with an oil cloth after each use or every few weeks if you don’t use them often enough for regular cleaning sessions. This will help protect against moisture damage which could lead to rusting or other problems down the line if not taken care of properly right away.
Finally, when storing your garden shears it’s important that they are kept in a dry place where there is no risk of moisture damage occurring due to humidity or rainwater seeping into their storage area over time. If possible try not store them outdoors unless they are completely covered by some sort of waterproof material like plastic sheeting so that no water can get inside and cause damage while they are not being used regularly throughout gardening season. Additionally, if you have multiple pairs of garden shears make sure that each one has its own designated storage space so that none get mixed up when not being used at once during gardening sessions.
What Is The Best Lubricant For Pruning Shears?
The best lubricant for pruning shears is one that will keep them running smoothly and protect them from rusting. A silicone-based lubricant or oil is ideal, as it will not only help to keep the blades moving freely, but also provide a protective layer against moisture and corrosion. Felco Lubricant Spray or food-grade silicone spray are both excellent choices for this purpose.
When applying the lubricant, be sure to spray it onto each blade individually, being mindful of the sharpened edges. This will ensure that all parts of the shears are properly coated with a thin layer of protection. Additionally, if your pruning shears have a rotating (or rolling) handle, you should pull it off and lubricate the shaft as well; this will help to keep it rolling smoothly over time.
It’s important to note that regular maintenance is key when it comes to keeping your pruning shears in good condition over time. Cleaning them regularly with a soft cloth or brush can help remove dirt and debris build-up which can cause wear on the blades over time. Additionally, don’t forget about checking on any locking mechanisms – if they seize up in the locked position then you won’t be able to use your tools.
Finally, make sure you store your pruning shears correctly when not in use; ideally somewhere dry and away from direct sunlight so they don’t rust prematurely due to exposure to moisture or heat sources such as radiators or direct sunlight through windows etc. Keeping them stored correctly along with regular cleaning and lubrication should ensure that your tools remain reliable for years to come.
How To Clean Rusty Pruning Shears?
Cleaning rusty pruning shears can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right steps and materials, you can easily restore your tools to like-new condition. The first step is to rinse your digging tools with water using a garden hose to remove soil and unwanted debris. This should help loosen any caked-on dirt or rust that has accumulated on the blades. Once this is done, you can use a wire brush or steel wool rated 000 or 0000 to brush off any remaining rust from the blades.
If there is significant rust build up on the pruners, it may be necessary to soak them in a vinegar bath for several hours or overnight in order to effectively remove all of the rust. To do this, fill up a mason jar with white distilled vinegar and place your tools inside of it until all of the rust has been removed from them. After soaking them in vinegar, use a wire brush or putty knife to scrape away any caked-on dirt that remains on the blades before drying them off with a clean microfiber cloth before storing them away for later use.
It’s also important not forget about removing any remaining rust from your pruners after they have been soaked in vinegar and dried off completely as well as rinsing them again with water using a garden hose if needed prior to storage. To do this, simply take out your wire brush or steel wool rated 000 or 0000 and scrub away at any remaining patches of rust until they are gone completely before storing away for future use.
Finally, if there are still some stubborn patches of rust left over after all these steps have been taken then you may need to soak your tools in pure vinegar overnight once again just make sure that all traces of corrosion are gone before putting away for storage. This will ensure that no further damage occurs while they are not being used which could potentially ruin their effectiveness when next time you go out into garden.
How Do You Remove Tree Sap From Shears?
Removing tree sap from shears can be a tricky task. Fortunately, there are several methods you can use to effectively remove the sap without damaging your tools. The first and most common method is to use vinegar. You can spray it directly onto the affected area or wet a cloth with it and then wipe off the sap. Allow the vinegar to sit on the sap for a few minutes before wiping it off for best results.
Another option is to use alcohol, which can be rubbed onto the affected area and followed up with soap and water. If you have just cut a limb that was dripping with sap, however, it’s important to note that pruning alone will not stop a tree from shedding more fluid from where you made your cut. In this case, using a pruning sealant on the wound may help heal it faster and reduce further fluid loss.
It’s also important to make sure that your shears are in good condition before attempting any kind of pruning work involving tree sap removal. If they were dull or nicked when last used, consider sharpening them or purchasing new blades as replacement blades for Felco brand hand shears can be bought at an affordable price point. After each use of garden tools like shears, loppers or saws, soil, sap and other debris should also be cleaned off properly in order to prevent any spread of plant diseases during wintertime when these tools are often inspected and cleaned before being used again for shrub or tree pruning purposes.
How Do You Clean Gunk Off Pruning Shears?
Cleaning gunk off pruning shears is an important part of proper maintenance and care. To ensure that your pruning shears are in top shape, it’s important to clean them regularly. The best way to do this is by using a wire brush to remove caked-on soil and debris. Start by rinsing the tools with water to get rid of any loose dirt or debris. Then, soak the pruning shears in a tub of warm water with a little bit of dish soap for about ten minutes. This will help loosen up any stubborn grime that may have built up on the blades over time.
Once you’ve finished soaking them, take out your pruning shears and use a wire brush to scrub away any remaining caked-on soil or debris from the blades and other parts of the tool. Be sure to pay special attention to hard-to-reach areas like between the blades or around rivets where dirt can easily accumulate over time. After you’ve finished scrubbing away all of the gunk, rinse off your tools with water one more time before drying them off with a clean cloth or towel.
In addition to cleaning away caked-on soil, it’s also important to keep rust at bay when caring for your pruning shears. To do this, use linseed oil and a small wire brush on any rusty areas on your tools before wiping off any excess oil with a clean cloth or towel so that it doesn’t attract more dirt later on down the line. Letting the lubricant soak in for just a few minutes will help protect against future rusting while also keeping your tools well lubricated so they stay sharp longer.
Finally, make sure you store your pruning shears properly after each use so they don’t get damaged from exposure to moisture or dust particles in between uses. Keeping them stored inside an airtight container is ideal as this will help protect against corrosion caused by humidity levels in certain climates as well as preventing dust buildup which can dull their edges over time if left unchecked.