How to maintain shears

In addition, the sharper the blade, the cleaner the cut, which results in a neater finish and fewer chances of disease getting into the cut and therefore the plant.

Here's how to maintain your shears in three easy steps.

You Will Need

• Gloves
• Old cloth
• Scourer
• White spirit
• Sharpening file
• Vice, Optional

Step 1

Wearing gloves, unscrew the central pivot on your shears if you can (although this may not be possible on some models).

Step 2

Wipe the blades with a cloth saturated with white spirit to loosen dirt. Use a tough scouring pad to clean them thoroughly.

Step 3

Sharpen the blades by running a medium file along the length of the blade at the same angle as the ground edge. For best results, secure the blade in a vice, if you have one.

Protect your shears from rust

Rub the cleaned and sharpened blades with an oily cloth to help protect them from rust and to keep them lubricated.