Introduction

Pruning is one of my favorite parts of gardening. With pruning shears and loppers, you can shape a plant to suit your needs, remove old wood and unhealthy branches to encourage new growth, and even keep wild animals at bay by removing low-hanging branches. To make sure that you’re able to do all this efficiently and in the safest manner possible, it’s important to maintain your pruning tools so they are always sharp and clean. Follow these tips for how to maintain your shears so that you can enjoy pruning for many years to come!

Keeping your pruning shears sharp is key to doing neat and clean pruning.

• You need to keep your pruning shears sharp.
• Sharp blades are easier to use and safer.
• Sharp blades cut cleanly through the plant, causing less damage or pulling.
• In addition, sharp blades will cause less potential for injury when using them on plants (especially shrubbery).

Oil your pruners about once a month.

It is important to oil your pruners regularly. This helps prevent rust, which can make the blades stick together, making them hard to pull apart when you need them. It also helps keep the blades moving smoothly, which reduces friction and wear on your hands when using them. Finally, it keeps the blades from sticking due to oxidation or moisture buildup that could cause a fire hazard if left unchecked for too long.

Clean your pruners with a towel after every use.

You should always clean your pruning shears after every use to prevent rust and dirt buildup. Don’t use water to clean your pruners, as this will only make them rust faster. Instead, fold a towel in half lengthwise and rub the blades gently over it with firm pressure until they’re clean. Never use harsh chemicals like bleach or detergent to clean them—they can damage the metal or strip off any protective coatings on the handles that keep them from getting slippery when wet! You should also never use wire brushes or knives or grinders (which are often used by professionals) to try and sharpen dull blades—this can cause damage as well because you’ll be removing too much metal from one side at once which may cause asymmetry between the two sides’ cutting edges; resulting in uneven cutting action when using these tools later down the road.”

If you have problems with sticky sap, press the two blades together and wipe them off with lemon Pledge.

If you have problems with sticky sap, press the two blades together and wipe them off with lemon Pledge. Use a clean cloth for this task. Never use anything else to clean your pruners unless it is specifically recommended by the manufacturer. For example, don’t try to clean your pruners by scraping off sap with a knife; that’s how you end up damaging them.

If your blades are still sticky after using lemon Pledge, give them another pass or two with the lemon pledge and then try cleaning them again when they dry out.

Sharp and clean pruners are safer and easier to use.

• Keeping your pruners sharp and clean will make them safer to use, which is important if you’re planning on trimming branches from a tree or shrub. The less time it takes to cut through the branch, the less likely you are to injure yourself or damage the plant. If you’re having trouble cutting through branches with your pruning shears, it’s recommended that you sharpen them immediately after use.
• Cleaning off sticky sap is a simple task that can be done by using an old toothbrush dipped in rubbing alcohol (don’t worry—this won’t harm any plants). It’s best to clean off all of the sap from both sides of your blades at once so they don’t get clogged with debris while they’re still wet.
• In case of emergencies: If there’s something wrong with one blade but not with another side of your pruning shear (such as sticky sap), try soaking both parts together in lemon Pledge for 15 minutes before attempting use again!

Conclusion

I hope these tips give you the confidence to start maintaining your pruners. If you’re still nervous, ask a friend or relative for help with the first few times so you can get some hands-on experience. And remember: It’s easier to do maintenance on your pruners more often than it is to wait until they become dull and rusty!