How to Clean Kitchen Scissors (Blades, Joints, and Hidden Grime)

Kitchen scissors cut through herbs, meat, packaging, and more — and they collect grease, food residue, and bacteria in the blade joint and pivot screw with every use. Here's how to clean them thoroughly and keep them sharp.

What You'll Need

• Mild dish soap and warm water
• An old toothbrush or Holikme Bottle Brush — for scrubbing the joint and pivot area
• Microfiber Cleaning Cloths — for drying blades without rust
• White vinegar (for sanitizing and rust removal)
• A drop of food-safe mineral oil (for the pivot joint)

Step-by-Step: How to Clean Kitchen Scissors

Step 1: Separate the Blades If Possible

Many kitchen scissors can be taken apart at the pivot screw for thorough cleaning. If yours can be separated, do so — it makes cleaning the joint area much easier and more effective.

Step 2: Wash with Warm Soapy Water

Open the scissors fully and wash both blades on all sides with warm soapy water and a sponge or cloth. Pay attention to the inner faces of the blades — these contact food directly and collect the most residue.

Step 3: Scrub the Joint and Pivot Area

Use an old toothbrush or narrow bottle brush to scrub around the pivot screw and the joint where the blades cross. This area traps grease, food particles, and moisture that a sponge can't reach. Open and close the scissors while scrubbing to expose all surfaces.

Step 4: Rinse Thoroughly

Rinse under warm running water, opening and closing the blades to flush the joint area. Make sure no soap residue remains.

Step 5: Dry Immediately and Completely

Dry both blades and the joint area thoroughly with a microfiber cloth. Open the scissors and dry the inner blade faces. Any moisture left in the joint causes rust. Leave open to air dry fully before storing.

Step 6: Oil the Joint (Monthly)

Once a month, apply a tiny drop of food-grade mineral oil to the pivot joint. Open and close the scissors several times to work the oil in. Wipe off any excess. This keeps the action smooth and prevents rust in the joint.

How to Remove Rust from Kitchen Scissors

1. Soak the blades in undiluted white vinegar for 10–15 minutes.
2. Scrub rust spots with an old toothbrush.
3. Rinse thoroughly and dry immediately and completely.
4. Apply a drop of mineral oil to the joint after drying.

How to Sanitize Kitchen Scissors After Cutting Raw Meat

1. Wash thoroughly with hot soapy water first.
2. Wipe blades with a cloth dampened with white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide.
3. Let sit 2–3 minutes, then rinse and dry completely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can kitchen scissors go in the dishwasher?

Some can — check the manufacturer's label. However, the dishwasher doesn't clean the joint area effectively, and repeated cycles can dull the blades and cause rust in the pivot. Hand washing is better for longevity.

My kitchen scissors are stiff and hard to open. What's wrong?

The joint is dirty or dry. Clean the pivot area thoroughly with a toothbrush, rinse, dry, and apply a drop of food-grade mineral oil to the joint. Open and close repeatedly to work it in.

How do I sharpen kitchen scissors?

Cut through a sheet of aluminum foil several times — this hones the blade edges. For a proper sharpen, use a scissor sharpener or take to a professional knife sharpener.