A first surgical instrument includes a shaft having an extension member such as a pair of jaw members at a distal end that are movable about a pivot for grasping tissue. The first surgical instrument enables a user to move the shaft and the pair of jaw members. A cleaning material is disposed on an external surface of the extension member such as at least one jaw member or disposed on the shaft. The first surgical instrument and the second surgical instrument define a distance between each other. The cleaning material is configured to clean at least a portion of at least a second surgical instrument in proximity to the first surgical instrument when the distance between the first surgical instrument and the second surgical instrument is reduced. A corresponding method of cleaning the second surgical instrument with the cleaning material of the first surgical instrument is also disclosed.
