Last Updated on September 3, 2023
How to Clean and Maintain Your Scissors? Welcome to TheSewingStuffs Tips! I’m Malinda, and today, we will talk about a topic that often gets overlooked – cleaning and maintaining your scissors. Like any other tool, your scissors require care to keep sharp and functional.
How to Clean and Maintain Your Scissors
Cleaning scissors is crucial for preserving their functionality. Use dish soap for plastic handles, sewing machine oil for metal parts, and a toothbrush to get into tight spots for a thorough clean.
Here, I’ll show you how to clean and maintain metal-handled and plastic-handled scissors to make them last longer and perform at their best.
Importance of Scissor Maintenance
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In the world of sewing and crafting, scissors come in various shapes and sizes, each designed for specific tasks. Regardless of their purpose, scissors can accumulate dirt, adhesive residue, and other gunk from your cut materials.
Over time, this buildup can affect their performance. Moreover, fabrics often contain chemicals like dyes, starches, and synthetic materials, which can transfer onto your scissors. Regular maintenance ensures they stay in top condition.
Cleaning Plastic-Handled Scissors
- Handle Cleaning: Start by cleaning the handles separately for scissors with plastic-coated handles. Use dish soap and water to remove dirt and grime from your hands and fabric dyes. Avoid getting water or soap on the metal parts of the scissors.
- Rinse: Rinse the handles thoroughly with cool water to prevent any chemical reactions that might harm the plastic. Dry them well.
Cleaning Metal-Handled Scissors
- Dust Removal: Metal-handled scissors require a more detailed cleaning. Begin by removing dust and debris from the nooks and crannies of the scissors. An old toothbrush is excellent for this task.
- Oil Application: Next, apply sewing machine oil, which is clear, refined, and won’t become sticky over time. Coat the entire pair of scissors, ensuring the oil penetrates all the areas that need cleaning. Use a toothbrush to help spread the oil and dislodge stubborn residues.
- Scrubbing: Give the scissors a good scrub with the machine oil. You’ll be amazed at how much dirt comes off.
- Wipe Clean: Using a clean cloth to wipe off the dirt and oil residue after scrubbing. You’ll notice a significant difference in cleanliness.
- Lubrication: Finally, place a single drop of sewing machine oil at the hinge and screw areas. This keeps the metal parts lubricated, preventing them from grinding against each other.
Conclusion
Regularly cleaning and maintaining your scissors is essential to ensure they remain sharp and reliable for a long time. Whether you have plastic-handled or metal-handled scissors, following these simple steps will keep your tools in excellent condition. Remember that a tiny drop of sewing machine oil can go a long way in preserving the life of your scissors.
So, regardless of the number of pairs of scissors you have or their intended use, invest a little time in cleaning and maintaining them. It’s a small effort that will extend the lifespan of your valuable tools and make your sewing and crafting projects much smoother.
“I like to turn a piece of string into something that I can wear.” I am dedicated to sharing knowledge on the necessary sewing equipment in The Sewing Stuffs.
