How to Care for Your Kitchen Tools So They Last
Good tools do not need much care, but a few habits keep them working the way they did on day one. None of this takes long, and most of it takes less time than looking for a tool that has gone missing in a crowded drawer.
[[img:gz-j-care-washing.jpg|Hand washing the Götze 3-in-1 Kitchen Shears with a sponge under running water]]
Rinse right after use
Food acids and sugars, from citrus, tomatoes, fruit juice and sauces, are the main reason tools stain and food dries onto them. A quick rinse straight after use makes the later wash easy, and it takes about ten seconds. If you cannot wash a tool right away, at least rinse it and set it aside instead of leaving it in a sink full of water.
Dishwasher or by hand: both work
Our tools are dishwasher safe, so you can wash them with the rest of the load. If you prefer to wash by hand, which many people do for tools with blades, use warm water and mild dish soap with a soft sponge or cloth, and rinse thoroughly to remove any soap residue.
Dry completely before storing
This step is easy to skip and is worth doing. Moisture left in a hinge or around a blade is what leads to spots and stiffness over time. Dry the tool with a clean towel, paying extra attention to the blades and the hinge, or let it air dry fully before it goes back in the drawer.
Take apart what comes apart
Shears and multi-part tools collect food in the joints. Open them fully, rinse the hinge and the space between the blades, and dry it completely. For tools with a wire or a wedger, rinse both sides and check that no food is stuck between the parts.
Store them so edges stay protected
Keep blades away from loose metal in a crowded drawer, where they knock against other tools. A drawer divider, a sleeve, a protective guard or simply a spot of their own prevents nicks and makes tools easier to find. Always store tools in a dry, safe place away from moisture and out of reach of children.
Handle blades with care, every time
Most kitchen accidents happen during washing, not cooking. Wash blades one at a time, never leave them hidden under suds, and hold tools by the handle. Keep our shears’ blade guard on when they are not in use.
Use each tool for its job
Peelers are for peeling, the food divider is for dividing and slicing food, and shears are for food and packaging. Using each tool the way it was designed is the simplest way to protect it. Our 3-in-1 Kitchen Shears do have an integrated bottle opener, so that is one job they are built for. Pry bars, paint-can lids and cutting wire are not.
Check before you use
Every few weeks, look at your tools. Are any parts loose, cracked or bent? Is anything damaged? If a component is damaged, loose or broken, stop using the tool until it is sorted out, and contact us.
Tool-by-tool quick guide
Different tools collect food in different places. Here is where to look:
- Peelers. Peel gets caught around the blade slot. Rinse under running water, push any stuck peel out with the handle end of a spoon (never your fingers), and dry the blade.
- Julienne peeler and mini slicer. Small teeth and edges trap fibers from carrots and cucumbers. Use a soft brush or sponge and wash away from the edge, not across it.
- 3-in-1 Kitchen Shears. Open the blades fully, rinse the hinge, clean the integrated knife and bottle opener, and dry everything. Put the blade guard back on before storing.
- 2-in-1 Food Divider. Rinse the wedger blades and the wire slicer straight after cutting soft foods like kiwi and eggs, before they dry on.
- Fruit tools (Mr. Watermelon and Mrs. Pineapple). Fruit sugars get sticky as they dry. Rinse immediately, wash with warm water and mild dish soap, rinse thoroughly and dry completely before storage.
Ask yourself: is my tool getting the care it needs?
Take a quick look at your own kitchen and answer honestly:
- Do you leave tools in the sink or on the counter overnight with food still on them?
- Is there dried food in the hinge of your shears, or around the blades of your slicer?
- Do your tools go into the drawer damp?
- Do blades knock against other metal every time you open the drawer?
- Do your tools feel stiffer or rougher than they did when they were new?
- Do you see spots, residue or discoloration that a wash does not remove?
- Do you ever use a kitchen tool for something it was not made for?
- Can you find the tool you need without digging through a pile?
If you said yes to a few of these, a small change in routine (rinse, dry, give each tool its own space) will make the biggest difference. If a tool is already damaged, replacing it is better than working around the problem.
What the warranty covers
Götze products are covered by a Lifetime Limited Warranty against defects in materials or workmanship under normal use and maintenance. Warranty terms may vary by product, so please review the information on your product page. If a covered defect occurs, we will repair or replace the product, or the defective part, at no charge. The warranty does not cover damage or problems that do not result from defects in materials or workmanship. To make a claim, email gotzeplus@gmail.com and we will help you find the best solution.
A 30-second routine
Rinse after use. Wash by hand or in the dishwasher. Dry completely. Store each tool in a dry spot of its own. That is all it takes.
Related: Lifetime Limited Warranty → · Contact us →