Cleaning your skimming blade is one of those boring tasks that's actually super important. If you don't, the dried plaster or mud on the edge will wreck your next finish.
As soon as you're done, scrape off the leftover plaster with a putty knife or rinse it under warm water. I usually use a soft brush for stubborn bits. Don't use anything too rough - it'll scratch the blade.
Dry it properly before putting it away. Stainless steel helps a ton with rust, but it's still good habit to keep it dry. I like to give mine a quick wipe with a bit of oil every now and then, just to keep the edge slick.
Hanke Tools blades clean up easily - the stainless surface doesn't let much stick, which saves a lot of time.
Treat your blade well, and it'll give you smooth finishes for years.
