Simple, easy-to-do tips for sharpening scissors — but not everyone actually knows them

When it comes to essential household items, scissors are something no home can go without. There are many types of scissors, and most families own at least one pair for kitchen tasks or everyday use. However, after a long period of time, all scissors encounter the same problem: wear and tear, or what we commonly call becoming dull.

When this happens, the metal blades are no longer as sharp as they originally were, reducing their effectiveness. In some cases, rust spots may even appear.

Scissors, after long use, inevitably become dull and may even develop rust (illustrative image).

The most common solution for dull scissors is to use a sharpening stone. However, a recent article on aboluowang introduced a completely different method using an ingredient many people wouldn’t even think of — baking soda.

Here are the specific steps:

– First, prepare a small bowl or basin of water and place the scissors inside.
– Add an appropriate amount of baking soda to the water. Baking soda has mild abrasive properties and helps remove dirt from the scissor blades.
– Add a few drops of white vinegar into the bowl. The vinegar and baking soda will react and create foam on the surface. Let the scissors soak in this mixture for 3–5 minutes.
– Remove the scissors and rinse with clean water.
– Dip a soft cloth into the baking soda–vinegar mixture, wrap it around the blades, and let it sit for about 5 minutes.
– After that, sharpen the scissors by rubbing them against the bottom of a ceramic bowl. You may sprinkle a little salt during this step.

With this method, the scissors are effectively sharpened and are said to become almost as sharp as when newly purchased. Additionally, this method can clean stubborn rust spots on the blades.

To test their sharpness, you can try cutting something thick and hard — for example, a stainless-steel scrub pad used for cleaning dishes.

A user tries cutting a metal scrub pad to test the sharpness of the scissors (photo: aboluowang).

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Other simple and effective scissor-sharpening tips

Besides the method above, there are also faster, simpler techniques. These methods only temporarily improve the sharpness but can be useful for quick fixes.

1. Using aluminum foil

Aluminum foil — a common kitchen item — can also help sharpen scissors. Fold a sheet of foil lengthwise several times to create multiple layers.
Use the dull scissors to cut through the folded foil repeatedly, from the base to the tip of the blades. Do this about 20–30 times until the scissors feel sharper. Finally, wipe the blades with a damp cloth.

2. Using a glass bottle or jar

The body of a glass bottle or jar can also work as a sharpening tool. Hold a bottle or jar, then repeatedly “cut” using the scissors along the outer glass surface. Use light pressure, similar to cutting paper. After around 10 repetitions, the scissors should regain some sharpness.

3. Using a nail

Lastly, you can use a nail to sharpen scissors. Similar to the bottle method, simply cut the nail so that it slides between the two blades. Repeat 10–20 times depending on the desired sharpness.