Tips on Cleaner Cutting for a Better Crafting Experience
Sharpening and Cleaning Blades is Essential for Good Clean Cuts
Sharpening and cleaning Cricut Blades is essential if you want to make sure you have the best possible slice on a variety of surfaces.
When it comes to your blades, you have two choices:
Buy a replacement blade (quite often if you want it to remain sharp). Blades are easily dulled when you cut paper and vinyl.
Clean and sharpening your Cricut blades for a longer lasting great crafting experience. By cleaning and sharpening your Cricut blade, you will save a ton of time and money. Your blade replacements will be much further apart when you care for them right from the start.
Here’s what you need to clean and sharpen your Cricut blades. This post does contain some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more)! Read my full disclosure policy.
Quick Links to Information in this Post
Cricut Blades Cleaning & Sharpening Materials
Cleaning and Sharpening Step-by-Step Guide
Step One - Aluminum Foil
Roll up a big ball of heavy duty aluminum foil and set it aside.
Step Two - Removing Residue
Remove any residue from your Cricut blade. Remove the blade from the housing then blow off the debris or use a cleaning solution. You can soak your blades in hot soapy water then gently remove the residue. Be careful so that you do not puncture yourself with the blade. Once the residue is removed, place the blade back into the housing.
Step Three - Stabbing Technique
To sharpen your blade, depress the blade lever at the top so that the blade is exposed but will not fall out of the housing, Stab the blade into the aluminum foil ball several times. I usually do this 50 times after I have been making several projects. Getting into the habit of doing this before a cut really helps.
Step Four - The Slicing Technique
Alternatively you can depress the lever in the same way but this time go through slicing motions in the aluminum foil ball. The aluminum acts as a sharpener. You can do the same thing with a pair of scissors if they need sharpening.
Step Five - Test Cutting
Do some test cuts with both paper and vinyl. If the blade is not sharp enough, repeat the process. I find that the first few times you use this method you will need to sharpen the blade twice but once you are in maintenance mode once will suffice.
Make a plan to sharpen your blade after each day you use your blades.
Here is a list of the Cricut Blades you can sharpen using this method:
Last Word
Taking the time to care for your Cricut Blades will make your crafting experience much smoother. You will not only save time and money you will also have the advantage of getting cleaner cuts when you need them.
Projects that have a lot of detail really need those sharp and clean blades so the cut goes all the way through. Caring for your Cricut Blades is like washing the dishes - it is something you really need to do before you serve the next meal.
I really hope you are able to use this tip and it will make a difference in how your Cricut performs.
Until next time,
Happy Crafting!
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7 replies to "Cricut Blades: How to Clean and Sharpen Your Blades for a Cleaner Cut"
Hi Bette. Thank you for your tutorial; I found it most helpful. I will use the foil method to sharpen my blades from now on. I I don’t do a bunch of cuts; only do it as a hobby for gifts for my family & friends, however I find my blade gets dull quite fast. I do use the heavier cut on the make it screen and this does the trick, however I wonder if this will damage the blade faster. I enjoy your tutorials; I made your Christmas folding card and it turned out quite well and I will do again next year at Christmas; may do one for Easter as well. I just love crafting with my Cricut; I have had it almost a year now; My husband’s tv room is now my crafting room. Keep crafting!
Sharpening of the blades will help them to last longer, however, you should still replace the blades from time to time. Like anything that needs sharpening, it will eventually wear out. I must say, though, that I have been using the same blades for 2 years and I am a heavy Cricut user.
I don’t want to burst anyone’s bubble, but this does actually “sharpen” your blade. Although it can extend the blade’s life, it basically just cleans and “hones” your blade.
Honing is maintaining an already sharp edge. When you hone, you polish the rough surface of the blade’s edge which reduces friction which allows the blade to cut into material better. (The foil method.) Sharpening is when you actually remove material from the blade edge to make it sharper. The foil will not do this. It will hone the blade and clean it, keeping an already sharp blade in good condition for longer. I’m not knocking it, I do it myself, and it will extend the life for a little while, but ultimately you will have to replace it eventually as it will still dull.
Perhaps the word Hone would be better – it does help you keep your blades clean and usable – the life of your blade will be extended. And yes, you will need to replace your blades eventually. I have been using the same blade for 2 years using these methods and have yet to replace it and it cuts perfectly every time!
Was gonna say the same as Karla about the sharpening I like to say this is an “old Cricuters tale” .
The information you share is great !
Thanks
The foil ball cleaning and honing trick really does help a lot. I find Paper leaves more behind then Vinyl.
Glad to hear it worked for you.