How to Clean Gardening Tools
Sheridan Okey
23 February 2021
With spring fast approaching, it’s time to get your gardening tools out of storage for that essential clean ahead of the season.
Gardening tools need regular cleaning, preferably after every use. However, they should be thoroughly cleaned especially when they are stored away for winter after they have been used extensively in the summer. It may seem obvious, but garden work gets done more efficiently and effectively with cleaner tools, not to mention cleaner tools are easier to use and last longer. The question is, which tools need cleaning? The answer is simple. Any tool that has screws, nuts and bolts, chains, and/or blades will regularly maintenance. This includes but is not limited to hedge shears, reel mowers, pruners, axes, loppers and more.
Here are some simple steps you can take to clean your garden tools to keep them functioning effectively for 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 for cleaning gardening tools is to get rid of all the dirt that’s accumulated over time. Sap and dirt often 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 the more stubborn rust. If you have some larger tools, you can also use a medium-grit sand scraper. Make sure you thoroughly dry all the tools to prevent any build-up of moisture.
Step 2
Use Sand Tools
The second step to cleaning your garden tools is smoothing out all the wooden handles using a medium-grit sandpaper. This will help remove any splinters from the machine and get rid of the deteriorated finish. Sandpaper can also be used to remove any rust that might still remain on the crevices and surfaces. What’s more, it will also lightly polish the metal. Once you are done, it’s important to wipe the tools down and remove any metal or wood sanding that may remain.
Step 3
Sharpen the Pruners
Once you have cleaned your gardening tools and removed unwanted rust, the next step is to sharpen them. It’s important to try and maintain the original angle or bevel whilst sharpening. If there are pruners in your garden, you can use a whetstone to get a sharp cutting edge. Rub the bevelled side of the blade against the whetstone and in a curved motion, rub the sharp edge of the blade towards the stone. You should first remove the burrs from the flat surfaces and then go on and sharpen the bevelled side of the blade only. We recommend you sharpen your tools at the end of every season to keep them functioning for longer.
Step 4
Sharpen the Remaining Tools
Once you have sharpened the pruners, the next step in cleaning your garden tools is to sharpen your other tools. You can use a medium or fine grit to sharpen loppers, shears, spades, hoes and shovels. Also use a single-cut mill bastard file after the grits. Make sure you always push the file away from your body. Do not use oil whilst sharpening the blades as the file’s serrations will be clogged by the accumulation of metal fillings.
Step 5
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. Cleaning alone is not enough for the long life of garden tools, it’s important you lubricate them to keep them safe from environmental factors that cause their wear and tear and corrosion. The best product to lubricate garden tools is WD-40® Multi-Use-Product. Thanks to its fasting acting and unique formula, WD-40® will prolong the life of your garden tools ensuring efficient performance every single time. What’s more, the lubricant keeps the garden tools protected from rust and corrosion all year round.
Step 6
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 maintain them. Here are some preventive care tips to help keep your garden tools working efficiently, free from dust, moisture, corrosion and rust:
- 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 reasons of the rusting of garden tools.
- 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.
- Gardening tools should be stored in a dry place which is free from moisture after cleaning them.
Want to know more?
Keen to dig a little deeper now you have a clean shovel? Check out our other relevant blogs such as How Do You Clean Rusty Tools and How to Clean Garden Sprinkles – get your garden spick and span in time for summer!
The uses shown and described for WD-40 Multi-Use Product were provided to WD-40 Company by the users themselves. These uses haven’t been tested by WD-40 Company and do not constitute a recommendation of suggestion for use by WD-40 Company. Common sense should be exercised whenever using WD-40 Company products. Always follow the instructions and take heed of any warnings printed on the packaging.
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