Author:
Sara Rhodes
Date Of Creation:
10 February 2021
Update Date:
1 July 2024
Content
1 Wipe the knife clean after each use. It will be much more difficult to clean a kitchen knife if dirt builds up on it. Rinse the knife quickly under water after use. Remove food residues from the knife. If food remains on the knife, rinse it off with a sponge or tissue. Set the knife aside until next use.
2 Keep the blade away from you. Use a mild dish detergent to clean. Do not hold the knife with the blade towards you to avoid injury while cleaning. - Soak a sponge in warm, soapy water. Turn the knife away from you and gently rinse off any food residues and stains.
- There is no need to rush. If you try to wash the knife too quickly, it may slip out of your hands and injure you. Some people prefer to place the knife comfortably on a countertop and peel both sides of the blade one at a time. This reduces the risk of injury.
3 Soak the knife for a couple of minutes if the dirt won't wash off. Sometimes, despite all the efforts, it is impossible to wash off the remnants of food from the knife. In this case, soak the blade in water for a couple of minutes. The knife will then be easy to clean. Do not leave the knife in water for a long time, otherwise the blade may rust. 4 Dry the knife. Always dry the knife with a clean towel immediately after cleaning. Do not leave the knife wet so that it can dry out, otherwise rust will appear on the blade. Turn the blade away from you and wipe with a dry towel. Method 2 of 3: How to clean a pocket knife
1 Put on rubber gloves. Always use rubber gloves to clean your pocket knife. They will protect your hands from cuts. Also, when cleaning, you will have to use oil and cleaning agents, which can cause irritation if they come into contact with the skin. You can buy rubber gloves at any supermarket. 
2 Gather the required materials. You will need certain foods to clean your pocket knife. Prepare materials in advance. - First you need a mild dish detergent. The dishwashing liquid you use every day is fine. Do not use a dishwasher detergent, as it is too aggressive and can damage the knife or cause rust.
- You will need a household lubricant to remove the rust.Pocket knives are well cleaned with WD-40. You will also need oil to lubricate the knife after cleaning. You can buy oil and lubricant at a hardware store.
- First you need a soft sponge or old toothbrush. Rust is best removed with a nylon cloth. Also, you can't do without a soft, clean cloth to dry the knife after cleaning.
- 3 Open the knife fully. To clean, open the knife fully. Some pocket knives, such as army knives, may include multiple cutlery attached. Be sure to remove all parts of the knife before cleaning.
- 4 Rinse the knife with dish soap. First, remove the stains with a sponge and dishwashing liquid. Soak a sponge in warm, soapy water and clean the knife blades. If the dirt doesn't wash off, squeeze some detergent directly onto the stain and let it sit for a few minutes, then continue cleaning.
- 5 Remove rust. If the blade is rusty, use a household lubricant. Apply it on all rust stains and let it sit for one minute. Then take a nylon washcloth and scrape the rust off the blade. Stubborn stains will need some more lubricant. After cleaning, rinse the knife under clean running water.
- 6 Dry the knife and apply some lubricant. Wipe the knife dry with a clean cloth. Then apply a few drops of lubricant to the knife. Wipe the knife with another dry cloth until the blade is clean and shiny in appearance.
Method 3 of 3: How to care for your knives
1 Don't leave knives in the sink. Never leave a knife in the sink. In addition to safety considerations (you can cut yourself when you fold the dishes), leaving a knife in the water can also get damaged and rusty. Better to put a dirty knife next to the sink. 
2 Dry the knives immediately after cleaning. As already mentioned, rust appears on a wet knife. Always dry the knife immediately after cleaning. 
3 Do not use a dishwasher to clean knives, especially expensive ones. The knives should not be washed in the dishwasher. During flushing, it is easy to damage the blade, which will hit adjacent objects. Dishwasher detergent is highly acidic and can cause rust. 
4 Store quality knives separately from other cutlery. You don't need to store good kitchen knives in a drawer with other utensils. When knives are struck against the silverware, they can cause scratches and other damage. Buy a knife holder or store them in a separate drawer. When storing in the same drawer with other accessories, use a leather sheath or knife sheath.
Tips
- A pocket knife rarely stays clean, as it is used at the most unexpected moment and closes immediately without any cleaning. Set aside time for regular maintenance of your pocket knife.
- Chef's and other slicing knives should be kept clean and sharp at all times. Sharpen and straighten kitchen knives regularly.
- To clean old knives, it is better to seek the help of a specialist, as they are often made of old materials that require careful handling. If you do not have the necessary knowledge and skills, then it is better to entrust the cleaning of antique knives to an experienced professional.
