Things You'll Need:
- kerosene
- WD-40
- honing oil
- an abrasive cleanser
- fine scouring pad
-
Step 1
Cleaning sharpening oil stones
Because the oil stones you use to sharpen your tools can get clogged to the point where they won't work properly it’s imperative that you know how to clean and care for them. To solve this problem, soak them in a container of kerosene ... or rub their surfaces firmly with your fingers.
WD-40 makes a great oilstone cleaner! Simply spray the WD-40 onto the stone's surface to wash away any particles and metal shavings -- you may also use WD-40 as a lubricant instead of ordinary honing oil, if you like, but I do not prefer to do this. Honing oil is designed to seek out, lift and carry away the debris that finds its way into your stones surface. As an added benefit it also has lubricating properties that are superior to many other ‘lubricants’. NOTE: some manufacturers recommend specific brands or types of oil be used on their sharpening stones, so please pay attention to the manufacturer’s directions and suggestions. -
Step 2
Cleaning your Ceramic Stones:
When your stone shows evidence of use by turning light grey through to black, this is an indication that metal filings and debris are lessening the effectiveness of your stone. To clean this debris away and return your stone to a nearly new state, simply run under tap water, sprinkle with an abrasive cleanser such as Comet Cleansing Powder. Using a fine scouring pad (I personally prefer a green Scoth-Brite ™ pad), scrub the darkened surface of the stone using a uniform pressure over the entire surface of the stone. -
Step 3
Rinse the cleansing powder off and ~ Voila! ~ Your stone is as good as new and pretty too!
