How To Clean Garden Tools
You should clean garden tools regularly, preferably after every use. However, they should be thoroughly cleaned when they are put away for winter or after they have been used extensively in the summer. So, we’ve compiled some handy tips on how to clean garden tools, store and maintain them correctly so that they stay in optimal condition all year round.
Garden work gets done more efficiently and effectively with clean garden tools, not to mention cleaner tools are easier to use and last longer.
Things you will need
Cleaning Supplies: Garden hose, detergent, old rags and towel, sponge, sprayer
Cleaning Tools: Scrub brush, steel wool, wire brush, medium-grit, sandpaper
Lubricating: A lubricant to keep the cleaned tools protected from moisture, rust and corrosion
Safety Equipment: Eye protection, gloves and dust mask
Step 1
Clean the Tools
The first step to clean garden tools is to get rid of all the dirt. Sap and dirt left on garden tools can cause weeds as well as a number of soil borne diseases. Dirt also attracts moisture and holds it which leads to quick spreading of rust. If your garden tools have moving parts, make sure you disassemble them first before cleaning. Using a wire brush, clean the dirt and rust from all the metal surfaces. You may use steel wool to remove more stubborn rust. If there are some large tools, you can also use a medium-grit sand scraper. Also make sure you thoroughly dry all the tools to prevent any build-up of moisture.
Step 2
Sand the Tools
The second step is smoothing out all the wooden handles using a medium-grit sandpaper. This will help in removing splinters. A sandpaper can also be used to remove any rust that might still remain on the crevices and surfaces of the tools. This will also lightly polish the metal. Once you are done, wipe the tools to remove any metal or wood sanding left behind.
Step 3
Sharpen the Pruners
The next step after you are done with cleaning the tools of any rust and dirt is sharpening them. Try as much as you can to maintain the original angle or bevel while sharpening.
It is important to sharpen the tools at the end of every season.
Step 4
Lubricate the Tools
This is one of the most important steps when it comes to cleaning garden tools and keeping them safe from moisture, rust and corrosion. The best product to lubricate the garden tools is WD-40 Multi-Use-Product. Using this lubricant will prolong the life of your garden tools ensuring efficient performance every single time. It keeps the garden tools protected from rust and corrosion all year long.
Preventive Maintenance
Now that you are done with cleaning your garden tools and they look as good as new, take some time out every couple of months to keep them that way. Here are some preventive maintenance tips:
- Rinse off mud using a garden hose every time you use the garden tools. Wet soil clung to the tools is one of the main causes of rust.
- Use a scrub brush to quickly scrub away any stubborn soil. You can also use a paint thinner to remove pitch and sap.
- Use a towel or rag to wipe the tools dry before keeping them in the storage. You can also let them dry on their own by keeping them in the sun.
- Don’t stand the tools on their edges, hang them up instead
- Wipe the surface with lubricants like WD-40 Multi-Use-Product periodically to keep them safe from rust and corrosion
