An efficient, inexpensive and safe method for cleaning tissue and other debris from the surfaces of delicate knife blades used in cataract and other precision surgical procedures prior to sterilization. Utilizing a proprietary soft foam-like material saturated with a surgical instrument cleaning detergent that loosens proteins and other deposits, along with USP grade, filtered water, the blades are safely cleaned pristine without scratching, dulling, chipping or breaking. This system eliminates the need to send knives in for periodic cleaning and sharpening.