How to Clean Pruning Shears Before Disinfecting Them

A clean pair of pruning shears is an important tool for reducing the risk of carrying micro-organisms from one plant to another while making cuts. Soil, plant debris and sap can stick to the blade, so physical cleaning must be carried out before disinfection. For small pruning tools, isopropyl alcohol at 70% or higher may be used in appropriate circumstances.

Why clean pruning shears before moving to another plant?

When pruning, the blade comes into direct contact with leaves, branches, sap and other plant material. If the plant carries a pathogen, residue left on the tool may help transfer it during the next cut.

For this reason, simply wiping the shears quickly with a cloth is not enough. Organic matter must be removed before disinfection, as soil and plant remains can prevent the disinfectant from making proper contact with the tool's surface.

What is the difference between cleaning and disinfecting the tool?

Cleaning involves physically removing soil, sap and plant debris lodged on the blade and in moving parts. This stage prepares the surface for the disinfectant and should always be completed first.

Disinfecting means applying a product that can reduce or eliminate certain micro-organisms on the tool. For small pruning shears, isopropyl alcohol at a concentration of 70% or above is one of the options recommended by the University of Minnesota Extension.

How should pruning shears be cleaned properly?

First, remove any visible soil, leaves, pieces of bark and sap. Once the blade is clean, apply the selected disinfectant in line with the product instructions. For isopropyl alcohol, the recommended concentration is 70% or higher, and it should not be diluted.

After sanitising, allow the tool to dry fully. Maintenance also helps preserve the shears, particularly if they are used regularly in the garden. Metal tools should be protected from rust with suitable products that do not pose a risk of being transferred to plants.

When might alcohol not be enough?

There is an important exception for particular diseases. The University of Minnesota Extension warns that alcohol may not disinfect tools used on apple trees infected with fire blight, a bacterial disease also known as bacterial blight.

In these cases, the sanitation method must be selected according to the pathogen involved. Therefore, where disease is suspected, it is not advisable to regard every pruning situation as merely a matter of ordinary dirt. Identifying the issue helps in selecting a more suitable disinfection strategy.