A must-have tool for most gardens, a good set of hedge shears may be employed to keep trees, shrubs and hedges healthy and looking good. Hedge shears have a tough job and frequently wind up with plant residue such as sap gumming the blades, making pruning almost impossible. Maintaining the blades clean and clear of sticky goop makes the tool more effective and helps prevent corrosion, which shortens the shears’ life. Additionally, plant residue may harbor bacteria that passes to other plants.
Manually Operated Hedge Shears
Rinse manually controlled hedge shears thoroughly or soak the tool in plain water to remove surface soil.
Scrape the hedge shears’ blades with a putty knife or stiff-bristled brush, removing stubborn plant residue. Do not use rough steel wool or wool, which may scrape the blades’ metal and bring rust.
Put on a blouse top and rubber or neoprene gloves, and take the hedge shears outdoors. Dip a rag or sponge into turpentine or solvent, and wipe the blades with the rag or sponge to get rid of sticky sap. Cleaning the blades outdoors prevents the buildup of damaging fumes from the chemicals.
Dry the blades using a soft fabric. Sterilize them with either rubbing alcohol or a mixture containing 1 part household bleach and 9 parts water. Leave disinfectant on the blades for a minimum of 30 seconds. Wipe them dry.
Electrically Operated Hedge Shears
Unplug the power cord of electrically controlled hedge shears. Wear a pair of sturdy work gloves. The gloves will protect your hands by the shears’ sharp blades.
Remove loose dirt and soil using a stiff-bristled brush. Wipe the blades using a sponge dipped in warm water.
Wipe the blades using a rag dipped in turpentine or solvent, removing sap and tacky residue. Dry the blades thoroughly using a clean rag.
Spray the blades using a lubricant labeled for use on garden tools.