Have you heard the adage, “Use the right tool for the right job in the right way.”? Cleaning & maintaining your scissors is extremely important to the outcome of your crafting.
BEST CRAFTING SCISSORS EVER!
The Stampin’ UP! Paper Snips (#193579) provide excellent cutting even in the small areas. I believe they are the BEST scissors on the market for fussy cutting. They are VERY sharp and come with a protective blade cover. I highly recommend putting the cover on the scissors when they are not in use and definitely when storing them between projects. Below is a general picture of the parts of a pair of scissors.
When you use scissors to cut sticky material, like tape, your blades may get coated in an adhesive residue. Before you put away your scissors you need to remove the sticky residue. Clean your blades with a safe and effective product such as white vinegar, rubbing alcohol or a citrus-based adhesive remover.
CLEANING ADHESIVE OFF THE BLADES
- WhiteVinegar – Vinegar is an excellent, natural cleaner. I think using white vinegar is the best and most economical cleaning method. Soapy water and alcohol-based products will dry out your scissors, causing them to rust, vinegar will not. Pour white vinegar into a small bowl. Do not dilute the white vinegar with water. Soak a clean cloth in the vinegar. Allow the vinegar to absorb into the rag. I would recommend using a thick rag like a washcloth or folded over microfiber to protect your fingers from the blades. Open the blades of your scissors. Slowly and carefully run the cloth over the blades to remove the adhesive. Dip the cloth in vinegar as needed.
- Purchase / Make a Citrus-based Adhesive Remover – Natural citrus oils are powerful degreasers—they can safely and effectively remove adhesives from mirrors, picture frames, and scissor blades. You may purchase a citrus-based adhesive remover (like Goo Gone) or make your own. To make your own you will need to combine equal parts baking soda and coconut oil in a small, clean jar. Do not melt the coconut oil. Add a few drops of natural citrus oil to the mixture and stir. Using a clean cotton or microfiber towel apply the solution to the blade, let sit for 5-10 minutes and wipe toward the tip with a cotton ball/pad until clean.
OIL THE PIVOT POINT (SCREW)
Occasionally your scissors may bind. Oiling the pivot point will help reduce the friction between the metal parts. The best oil to use is sewing machine oil. It is lightweight, evaporates quickly and does not leave a residue
Remove the dirt and lint from your blades. Once you’ve removed the adhesive, it is important to protect and preserve your blades by cleaning and oiling your scissors. Wipe down the blades, handles, and pivot with a piece of clean, soft fabric. The fabric will remove lint, grime, and residue from the cleaning products you used.
The pivot is the point at which the two blades join. As you wipe down the blades with the cloth, open and close the scissors so you can clean around the pivot.
Open your scissors and place several drops of sewing machine oil onto the front and back of the pivot screw. Apply several more drops of oil to the pivot between the blades. Open and close the blades several times until they move smoothly. If needed, add more drops of oil to the blades.
Wipe off the excess oil. Once the blades are opening and closing smoothly carefully run a clean cloth over the blades to soak up the excess oil. Wipe your scissors from the base of the handles to the tip of the blades.
REPAIRING A BENT TIP
For this repair you will need a flat diamond file. I find that the 600 grit is the best one for the job. Place the blade on a flat surface. Working in one direction away from the handle, run the diamond file horizontally and lightly over the flat side of both the inner and outer blade. Inspect the tip and stop when the burr (bend) is removed. You are just trying to remove the bent tip burr. This is not for sharpening the blades. If you need to sharpen the blades, I highly recommend that you take them to a professional. I have owned and used my Stampin’ UP! Paper Snips for 10 years and rarely have to sharpen them. I have had to repair a bent tip from dropping my scissors on a concrete floor. (This works for flathead screwdrivers too!)
GENERAL TIPS FOR SCISSORS
Growing up my Mom would guard her sewing scissors by putting a spell on them. The spell (maybe a curse) of imminent disaster to anyone who used them for anything other than fabric. I feel the same way about my paper scissors. Remember that quote “Use the right tools for the right job in the right way.”? Don’t use your paper or fabric scissors for cutting wire or metal. You will notch the blade and damage the scissors. Invest in a pair of wire cutters for cutting wire.
Now that you know how to Clean & Maintain your Crafting Scissors all is right in the world!
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Terrific tip….vinegar it us
Keep the snips clean and ready to go. Glad you liked the tips.