Abstract: A cleaning device for cauterizing knives presterilized for single surgical use and including a supporting frame adapted to be attached to a towel or drape used in surgery and held by an atraumatic clip also used in surgery, the frame containing a pair of abrasive strips having mutually engaging surfaces provided with diverging entrance ends, between which a cauterizing knife may be inserted to scrape cauterized flesh therefrom. In one embodiment, the supporting frame containing the abrasive strips also receives compressible plastic pads which applies a yieldable force pressing the abrasive surfaces into mutual contact, and also function to wipe loosely clinging material and also function as storage pads into which used blades may be thrust for later use or discard. In another embodiment, magnets urge the abrasive surfaces into mutual yieldable engagement. A further embodiment is arranged to clean cauterizing forceps as well as knives.