Most stainless steel instruments do not wear out — they are damaged by the way they are cleaned and sterilised. Follow these steps and a quality instrument will last for years of daily use.
1. Point-of-use: never let blood dry
Wipe gross soil off immediately and keep instruments moist with a pre-cleaning spray or a damp towel. Dried blood contains chlorides that cause pitting corrosion, and dried protein is much harder to remove.
2. Manual or ultrasonic cleaning
- Use a pH-neutral or mildly alkaline enzymatic detergent — never bleach, saline or chlorine-based products.
- Open all box locks and ratchets. Disassemble multi-part instruments.
- Ultrasonic cleaners work best for serrations and hinges: 5–10 minutes, instruments open, never overloaded.
- Do not mix stainless steel with chrome-plated or aluminium items in the same bath.
3. Rinse and dry thoroughly
Rinse with deionised or distilled water to avoid mineral spots, then dry completely. Water stains are not rust — but water left in joints can become rust.
4. Inspect and lubricate
Check tips for alignment, scissors for a smooth cut, ratchets for secure locking. Apply a water-soluble, steam-permeable instrument lubricant (instrument milk) to hinges and box locks. Never use oils like WD-40 — steam cannot penetrate them.
5. Sterilise
Steam autoclaving at 134 °C for 3–5 minutes or 121 °C for 15–20 minutes (per your validated cycle) is the standard for stainless instruments. Sterilise ratcheted instruments on the first click — fully closed ratchets build stress and crack the box lock over time.
6. Store dry, separated and protected
Use cassettes or racks so tips do not touch, protect fine points with silicone tip guards and store in a dry area.
Troubleshooting stains
- Rust-coloured spots — usually transferred rust from a damaged instrument or water pipes. Isolate the source.
- Blue-grey or rainbow film — detergent residue or too much heat; rinse better.
- Black spots — often from acidic or chlorinated cleaners.
Our instruments ship with a printed care card. Need one for your staff? Ask us for the PDF.