How to Clean Saw Blades in 5 Steps

Regular Maintenance Improves Blade Quality and Safety

By
Jeff Beneke
Jeff Beneke
Jeff Beneke is a former writer for The Spruce who covered a range of home renovation and repair topics. He is a former editor and author of over a dozen home improvement books.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 09/21/22
Reviewed by
Deane Biermeier
Deane Biermeier
Reviewed by Deane Biermeier
Deane Biermeier is an expert contractor with nearly 30 years of experience in all types of home repair, maintenance, and remodeling. He is a certified lead carpenter and also holds a certification from the EPA. Deane is a member of The Spruce's Home Improvement Review Board.
Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board
Cleaned saw blade on light wooden surface

The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 10 - 15 mins
  • Total Time: 15 - 30 mins
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $5-10

Using a circular saw with a dirty blade can lessen the effectiveness of the tool and ultimately set back your project. Over time, pitch and resins build up on the cutting edges of saw blades. This effectively coats the edges, making the blade act as though it is dull. Friction and heat increase, cutting is more difficult, and the resulting cut edges are not as clean as they could be. While it may seem counterintuitive, dull blades are more dangerous than sharp blades. Blades that cut at maximum efficiency reduce the strain on a saw's motor (and on the user, when it comes to handheld saws). Fortunately, cleaning your saw blades is about as easy as rinsing off a razor blade.

A Quick Cleaning

Simple Green is an all-purpose cleaner that should be diluted for regular saw-blade cleaning, although it can be applied straight from the bottle for more serious gunk buildup. Follow these steps for a quick regular cleaning:

  1. Mix one part of Simple Green with three parts water in a shallow container.
  2. Remove the saw blade from your circular saw, being careful of the sharp teeth.
  3. Place the blade into the cleaning solution and let it soak for a few minutes.
  4. Scrub the blade's teeth and any gunky areas with a toothbrush or a small brass brush until they are clean.
  5. Rinse the blade in water and pat it dry with paper towels before re-installing it in your saw.

How Often to Clean Saw Blades

Even if you don’t use your circular saw very often, it's still a good idea to give its blade a quick cleaning two or three times a year. Your saw blade will need to be cleaned at more regular intervals if it's used for more intense projects like remodeling work that requires regular use of the saw over several months.

Before You Begin

Take the opportunity to closely examine the tip of each tooth on the blade. If a lot of the teeth are damaged or getting dull, consider sharpening or replacing it. While steel saw blades can be sharpened (or at least touched up) with a triangular metal file, blades with carbide-tipped teeth must be professionally sharpened, although it's usually more cost-effective to buy a new saw blade.

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What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • 1 toothbrush or small brass brush

Materials

  • Cleaning solution of your choice
  • Shallow container
  • Paper towels

Instructions

Materials and tools to clean a saw blade

The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

How to Clean Saw Blades With Household Cleaners

  1. Choose Your Cleaning Solution

    Several different cleaners can be used on saw blades, including those specifically formulated for cleaning tool blades. If you don't have this on hand, some woodworkers favor a citrus cleaner, in large part because they can clean just about everything else around the house with the same product—a big bonus.

    One common household cleaner that works on saw blades is Simple Green, which can also clean many other items in your home. Simple Green is a concentrated, all-purpose option that can be found in grocery stores and hardware stores everywhere. Along with being a biodegradable and non-toxic cleaner, Simple Green is a powerful formula that was originally created for industrial cleaning and degreasing.

    Warning

    Some may recommend using oven cleaners, but Freud (a major blade manufacturer) claims that oven cleaners can harm carbide tips and the binder that holds them in place. This can prove dangerous, as the blade tips can become detached during the use of the saw.

    Simple Green cleaner bottle on wooden surface next to dirty saw blade

    The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

  2. Remove the Blade

    Before taking your saw's blade out, ensure that the saw is either unplugged or turned to the "off" position for cordless varieties. Once it's safe to begin, remove your saw's blade and take care to avoid touching the sharp teeth.

    Dirty saw blade removed from unplugged saw machine

    The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

  3. Prepare the Cleaning Solution

    In a shallow container, combine your cleaning solution with water if recommended. Consult the manufacturer's instructions for specific portions. (Simple Green notes to use 1 cup of solution to 3 cups of water.)

    Simple Green cleaning solution poured into plastic container with water

    The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

  4. Clean the Blade

    Place your saw blade inside the cleaning solution. Wait about 10 minutes, then begin scrubbing its surface with a toothbrush or brass brush. For a stronger scrub, trim the bristles of a toothbrush to half-length. You may also use a steel bristle brush on standard saw blades to tackle heavy grime, although this step is not recommended for those coated in Teflon.

    Dirty saw blade scrubbed with toothbrush over cleaning container

    The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

  5. Rinse and Dry

    Once you've removed any residue from your saw's blade, it can be rinsed in water to wash off any excess cleaner. Pat it completely dry, ensuring the areas between the teeth don't have any remaining damp spots (taking care not to cut your fingers on the exposed sharp teeth). After the blade is dry, it can be reinstalled in the saw for use.

    Wet saw blade wrapped around white towel for drying

    The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

Tips to Keep Saw Blades Clean Longer

Tips

  • Do quick cleanings on gunky spots as they appear to prevent tough grime.
  • Coat the blade with silicone spray after cleaning to keep carbide teeth clean longer.
  • Plan routine deep cleanings two to three times per year.

DIY Saw Blade Cleaning Solution

For a homemade saw blade cleaning solution that also removes rust stains, try soaking the blade in undiluted white vinegar instead of a commercial cleaner. After waiting up to 30 minutes, begin scrubbing the saw blade with a toothbrush or brass brush. You can also form a paste of borax or baking soda mixed with lemon juice and let it rest over tough spots for 30 minutes before scrubbing (just be sure to use this solution separately from vinegar soaks).

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