Cleaning old grimy rusty scissors?

WLITC

Hi all, my housemate keeps his old dirty looking, kind of rusty scissors in the cutlery tray and from a hygiene perspective it freaks me out a little. I've moved it a few times to one of the other compartment (i,e different ones for spoons, knives, etc) and it seems to land up back in the same place each day so I was thinking instead of trying to get him to move it, I'd clean it so its nice and shinny and clean

It kind of looks like one of these.

Suggestions on how to quickly and easily clean one of these? Can you just soak it in something that will strip off any grime and rust?

Chris25

you could try bicarb of soda mixed with a little vinegar to make a paste. Spread on thickly & leave for a few hours. Rinse off & scrub with a lemon half dipped in salt if still rusty or a metal scourer then dry & put into cooling oven if possible.

If he cuts through some sandpaper, it should sharpen it but ask him to keep them in a ziplock bag in future

If they're ancient ones, old carbon rather than stainless steel, there's a good possibility that they'll always have rust spots.

WLITC

Okay thanks, I'll give it a try. Don't mind if it has a few minor spots, but don't like the idea of a dirty scissors mixed in with clean cutlery.

Paradigm

Put them in a plastic bag & spray liberally with WD40, leave for a few hours shaking/turning occasionally.

Wipe with a strong cloth/fine emery cloth, wash & dry.... sorted