Sharpen Your Vegetable Peeler With A Tool You Already Own

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If peeling potatoes with a knife causes you to slice away half the spud, then vegetable peelers are your lifesavers (and one of the most useful kitchen gadgets worth having two of). However, we all know that vegetable peelers, just like kitchen knives, don't stay sharp forever. But while you may use a honing rod or whetstone to sharpen your knives, neither will work for a small vegetable peeler. Instead, use an item from your cosmetics bag: a metal nail file.

A metal nail file is thin enough to fit between the blades of a vegetable peeler, and all it takes is a few passes across the blade edges to get your gadget back in good condition. Nail files are engraved with tiny grooves that can help get rid of a blade's dull edges (just like they can with a fingernail).

You may think that metal nail files are an odd tool to use, especially outside its cosmetic purpose. However, think of it as a smaller and thinner blade sharpener. Moreover, metal nail files are durable, affordable, and easier to handle and store, compared to using one-off solutions like sandpaper, or investing in a whole new sharpening stone just for smaller blades like this one. (One note, this tool hack works for vegetable peelers with straight edges, not serrated ones.)

For hygienic purposes, make sure your metal nail file is thoroughly clean before using it to sharpen your peeler. Wash it with water and dish soap, then use a soft, bristled brush to scrub off any grime trapped within the grooves of the file. Afterward, rinse the file, then disinfect it by submerging it in a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution for at least 10 minutes. Then do a final rinse before leaving it to dry completely.

Alternatively, you could buy a metal nail file specifically for this purpose. For example, you can purchase a set of six for under $6, and use the spare files for other DIY repairs. Using one to sharpen a vegetable peeler is just one of many ways to use a nail file around the house.

Back to your peeler, though. To sharpen it, simply insert the nail file into the peeler's opening (as seen above), and lightly run the file along each blade. Make sure you follow the angle of the blade. This should take less than 10 passes, for each edge. Once done, rinse the vegetable peeler of any leftover debris from the polishing.

The peeler should be able to skin a thin layer off the fruit or vegetable with minimal effort. If you think the peeler blades still feel a bit dull, simply repeat the process; which also might make the case for a dedicated nail file for sharpening peelers only. Also, speaking of tools that can do even more, a straight or swivel vegetable peeler is the common kitchen item that can save the day in place of a screwdriver.