How to Sharpen Scissors 6 Different Ways

Learning how to sharpen scissors makes it easy to refresh this common household tool at home for smoother cuts. If you've noticed it's taking you longer to cut things and you're not getting clean cuts, it's time to sharpen your scissors.

There are several easy ways to sharpen scissors by hand using inexpensive household items and we're sharing step-by-step directions for six methods that are quick and easy.

How Often to Sharpen Scissors

You will know it's time to sharpen scissors when you're having to cut through the same spot multiple times and they no longer cut through regular items with ease. The general rule of thumb is that scissors should be sharpened twice per year, or more often if you use them on a regular basis. If your scissors are a rarely used household tool, an annual sharpening should suffice.

How to Sharpen Scissors With Aluminum Foil

Sharpening scissors with aluminum foil is quick and inexpensive. Use foil to clean scissor blades and remove built-up dirt that dulls their sharpness. Here's how:

1. Gather and Fold the Foil. Cut a piece of foil that's between eight and 12 inches in length. Fold it over itself lengthwise multiple times to make a one-inch wide strip that's thicker than a single sheet of foil.

2. Cut the Foil. Take your scissors and cut through the thick strip. Cut using the entire length of the blade, then wipe down the scissors with a cloth to remove loose dirt.
   

How to Sharpen Scissors With Sandpaper

The rough texture of sandpaper works against blunt scissor blades to restore sharpness. All you need is a small piece of sandpaper and your scissors will be as good as new. Here's how:

1. Gather and Fold the Sandpaper. You will need a piece of sandpaper with 150–200 grit; the finer the sandpaper, the better. Fold the sandpaper in half, with the rough texture on the outside and the underside of the sandpaper on the inside.
   

2. Cut the Sandpaper. Grab your scissors and cut through the folded sandpaper multiple times, ensuring the entire length of the blade touches the rough surface of the sandpaper with each cut. Clean the scissors with a damp cloth.
   

How to Sharpen Scissors With a Sharpening Stone

A sharpening stone is used to restore sharpness to dull edges of knives, but it can also be used to sharpen scissors. Here's how:

1. Take the Scissors Apart. Begin with disassembling your scissors by removing the middle screw that holds the two blades together. This way, you'll be able to sharpen and clean each blade on the stone individually.

2. Oil the Stone. Prep the stone by rubbing it with a honing oil that's specifically designed to lubricate the stone. Alternatively, you can also use water or any other kind of oil.
   

3. Choose Coarse or Fine Grit. A sharpening stone has a coarse side and a fine side, so decide which you will use depending on the condition of your scissors. Use the coarse side for very dull scissors and the fine side for scissors that are only slightly dull.
   

4. Sharpen At an Angle. To correctly use the stone, pull each scissor blade down across the stone, following its shape and angle. Repeat the same motion up to 20 times, or until the blade is sharp.
   

5. Remove Debris. Using a damp cloth, remove any debris from the sharpening stone off the scissors, then reassemble the scissors by tightening the central screw holding the two blades together.
   

How to Sharpen Scissors With a Glass Jar

Glass mason jars are often used for storage or craft purposes, but did you know that you can use a glass mason jar or any jar with thick glass walls to sharpen a pair of scissors? Here's how:

1. Cut the Sides of the Jar. Grab a mason jar or other thick glass jar. Place it on a flat surface, hold it with one hand, and pick up your scissors with the other. Cut the outside of the jar using a pulling motion. Be careful as you do so and wear protective gloves to prevent accidents.
   

2. Remove Debris. Carefully remove any glass debris from the scissor blades using a damp cloth, and then wipe down the jar to make sure there are no loose glass pieces on it.
   

How to Sharpen Scissors With a V-Sharpener

A v-sharpener consists of a base with angled ceramic rods that create a v-shape. It can be used to sharpen various blades, including knives and scissors. Here's how:

1. Disassemble the Scissors. Take your scissors apart by removing the middle screw that holds the two blades together. This way, you'll be able to sharpen each blade individually.
   

2. Sharpen the Scissors. To use the v-sharpener, pull the scissor blade down the ceramic rod following its angle and repeat multiple times until sharp.
   

How to Sharpen Scissors With a Screwdriver

A simple screwdriver doubles as a way to sharpen scissors. Get razor-sharp blade edges with a quick cut-and-pull motion. Here's how:

1. Fit the Scissors Around the Screwdriver. Place the scissors perpendicular to the metal part of the screwdriver, open the scissors, and wrap them around the metal tool.
   

2. Cut the Sides of the Screwdriver. Use a repetitive cutting and pulling motion to allow the metal or the screwdriver to sharpen the scissors.

When to Replace Scissors

While these six methods are great ways to sharpen scissors, as a general rule, you should replace household scissors about every three to five years.

This depends on how frequently you use the scissors and their condition. Some of the signs that it's time to replace them are when sharpening them no longer creates a sharp edge, they've been sharpened constantly that the edges are thinning, and when the blades are uneven, bent, completely dull or blunt, and have nicks or chipped pieces.