This shovel could use a little TLC.
Properly maintained quality garden tools are a joy to use and can last for generations. And, like most things, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Regularly cleaning and oiling your garden tools will prevent rust, keep them sharper, and allow the handles to stay strong.
But if you’re like me, sometimes you’re not as diligent as you should be—putting your tools away dirty or leaving them outside in the weather. Then before you know it, they’re on the fast track to the trash bin.
Here’s how to get a shovel, or other garden tools, in shape and keep them that way.
Gather Your Weapons
To clean and maintain your tools, you’ll need the following:
- Cleaning Supplies: Detergent, garden hose, sprayer, sponge, old rags or towels.
- Cleaning Tools: Steel wool, scrub brush, wire brush, and a rotary wire brush attachment for your drill.
- Sandpaper: (80 and 120 grit) Made to work on both wood and metal.
- Sharpening Tools: A fine metal file and a sharpening stone to hone edges.
- Lubricating Oil: Such as boiled linseed oil, tung oil, motor oil, lamp oil, or cooking oil. Boiled linseed and tung oil are probably the best choices, but you can use what you have on hand.
- Safety Equipment: Wear gloves, eye protection, and a dust mask when working on tools.
Step 1: Clean Tools
Start by giving your tools a good scrubbing to remove any mud and grit from the blades and handles. Dry with old towels, then set them aside overnight so they dry completely to avoid trapping moisture.
Step 2: Remove Rust
Use steel wool or a wire brush to scrub away any rust that has accumulated on metal parts. A rotary wire brush attachment chucked in a drill can make the job easier. As a rule, you want to remove the rust with as little grinding and scraping of the steel as possible to keep tools from becoming thinner and weaker over time.
Step 3: Sand Tools
Smooth worn wooden handles with medium grit sandpaper to remove splinters and deteriorated finish. You can also use sandpaper to remove any remaining rust from surfaces and crevices and to lightly polish the metal. When finished, thoroughly wipe down the tools to remove any wood or metal sanding dust.
Step 4: Sharpen Tools
Use a metal file to lightly sharpen the edges of tools. Again, you don’t want to grind away too much of the metal, just use it to smooth out nicks, remove burrs, and give a nice clean edge. On some cutting tools (like hedge clippers and axes), you’ll need to follow up with a sharpening stone lubricated with oil for a finer edge.
Step 5: Oil Tools
Using a clean rag, apply lubricating oil to both the wooden handle and the metal blade. Rub the oil into the surface then wipe off any excess. The oil will help prevent rust and condition the wood to keep it from absorbing water and prevent cracking. After the handle has dried, apply a second coat of oil to the wood if needed. Tools with fiberglass or composite handles will only need a good cleaning.
Some gardeners prefer to sand wooden tool handles and reapply a coat of exterior finish such as spar varnish. If you do refinish your tool handles, make sure the wood is completely dry first. I prefer using oil simply because I’d rather do a quick wipe down, rather than taking the time to sand the wood, apply finish, and wait for it to dry, but it’s really a matter of preference.
That’s more like it! Now, to keep it that way.
Preventive Maintenance
Now that your gardening tools look like new, take the time to keep them that way! At the end of every gardening day, spend a few minutes to:
- Rinse off mud and soil with a garden hose. Clinging wet soil is the main cause of rust on garden tools.
- Scrub away stubborn soil with a scrub brush, and use paint thinner to remove sap and pitch.
- Wipe tools dry with a rag or towel, or let them dry in the sun while you finish your chores.
- Hang tools up rather than standing them on their edges.
- Periodically wipe on a light coat of oil or spray surfaces with a penetrating oil. You can also put tools in a sand bucket to keep them clean and sharp.
FAQs
How do you sharpen garden tools at home? ›
Use a file, whetstone or sharpening stone appropriate to the size of the blade. Only sharpen the cutting blade itself, working the stone in the same direction as the bevel. Smaller blades may need to be worked in a circular motion.
What will you use to clean your garden tools quickly? ›You can safely sterilize your tools with rubbing alcohol, and I like to keep mine in a spray bottle for ease of use. Spray all sides of the blades, tines, hinges, and pivot joints, then wipe them down. Or, dab a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto a clean rag to sanitize your tools after use.
How can I sharpen my hand pruners at home? ›If pruners are badly rusted apply WD-40 and let soak for 10 minutes. After soaking, remove oil with a clean cloth and use steel wool to get rid of remaining rust. Use a diamond file to sharpen the blade. Draw the file along the cutting edge of the blade, applying medium pressure.
What is the best tool to sharpen garden tools? ›A mill file and a vice are all you need to get a sharp edge. There are numerous ways to sharpen tools: an angle grinder, bench grinder, or grindstone just to name a few. But often all you need is a file. It's inexpensive and gives you greater control than a fast-spinning wheel that throws sparks.
Is vinegar good for cleaning garden tools? ›White Vinegar
Let the tools soak for 24 hours in order to absorb the vinegar. After soaking, you must get to scrubbing. The vinegar soaked in the tools will eat into the rust and allow for an easy scrubbing process to remove the rust.
I find the best way to sharpen pruners is with diamond files. I prefer them to whetstones because they are easy to use, even for a novice. You'll need three levels of coarseness (known as grits): coarse, fine, and extrafine. The files are inexpensive and will last longer than your pruners.
How do you clean and sharpen Fiskars pruners? ›All Fiskars tools have low-friction coating that helps prevent rust and buildup of sap or other substances. This coating makes cleaning a simple task. Soap and water will effectively clean the tools.
Will aluminum foil sharpen garden shears? ›The short answer is, aluminium foil will never sharpen your scissors, but it can certainly improve their performance, because the foil will clean the blades and remove little burs from the cutting edge.
How do you sharpen pruners shears and loppers? ›Use a sharpening stone or a carbide blade sharpener to re-sharpen the blade. Pass the sharpener over the bevel at the same angle as the original slant. This will ensure that the newly sharpened blade will cut smoothly when pruning branches.
Does tin foil sharpen scissors? ›As sharpening implies that a new clean edge has been formed on the blade, technically, no cutting kitchen foil will not sharpen your blades. But before you throw away the foil and blades, it should be said that tin foil can extend the life of a dull blade.
What is the best thing to clean tools with? ›
- Dish soap to tackle oil and grease, like Dawn® Platinum.
- Large bucket for hot water and dish soap solution.
- Scrubber, scrub brush, or steel wool to further clean away any dirt.
- Cloth to wipe down your tools.
Note: Clorox sells disposable bleach-free disinfectant wipes in a pop-up container. These work great for cleaning jobs on smaller tools such as pruners, trowels and knives. Clorox claims the wipes can kill several types of bacteria in 30 seconds.
Can you use WD-40 on pruners? ›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.
How do you disinfect pruners between cuts? ›Ethanol or isopropyl alcohol are ideal for sanitizing pruning equipment because blades can simply be wiped or dipped into disinfectant without a prolonged soak. Products sold as rubbing alcohol usually contain 70% isopropyl alcohol and can be used directly from the container. Ethanol can also be used without dilution.
How do you sharpen dull garden shears? ›You can easily sharpen your pruning shears at home with a medium or coarse diamond hand file. After you clean the shears and remove rust with a piece of steel wool, use the file to sharpen the cutting blade of the shears. Once the shears are sharpened, coat them in linseed oil to prevent rust.
How to sharpen the pruners to produce a very sharp cutting edge? ›Step 2: Sharpen Pruners
For pruners, use a whetstone because it produces a very sharp cutting edge. Depending on the type of whetstone, apply a few drops of oil or water to the stone.
Some garden shears (hedging shears, 'sheep' shears and lawn edging shears) come with a specially-designed sharpener, specific to that brand of shears. Others could be sharpened with general sharpening tools but this is a tricky job if the blades do not come apart or the shears are very blunt.
How often should you sharpen garden tools? ›Even a sharp blade eventually moves roughly over the hook and does not cut cleanly. Use dictates how often a tool should be sharpened. Well-maintained pruners only need sharpening every six weeks, even with heavy use. Gardeners who spend 4 hours a week pruning may need to sharpen once or twice a year.
Is hydrogen peroxide good for cleaning garden tools? ›Alternately, a second option is to use a hydrogen peroxide solution or rubbing alcohol to disinfect your tools. All options will kill any remaining fungi, bacteria and viruses. Rinse all with clean water and allow to dry before storing.
What is a natural cleaner for garden tools? ›While technically any kind of vinegar will work to clean your tools, white vinegar and apple cider vinegar are your best choices. You'll need a dish rag, towel, or cloth of some kind, and you may want a second cloth for drying tools after cleaning them up.
Can I use rubbing alcohol to clean garden tools? ›
Ethanol or Isopropyl Alcohol
The advantages of alcohol (ethanol or isopropyl) to sanitize your gardening tools is that it can be used as a wipe (no soaking necessary), you don't have to rinse the product off, and it's immediately effective.
The most popular method for cleaning rust on garden tools is with vinegar. Soak the tool overnight in a mixture of 50% vinegar and 50% water. Then with steel wool, a brush, or a crumpled-up piece of tin foil, rub the rust off in a circular motion.
How do you clean garden tools with WD-40? ›First, use a rag to wipe off any grease or dirt. Then, lightly spray some WD-40 on the tool and let it sit for a few seconds. Before it dries on its own, wipe the tool off with a clean rag and put the tool back where it belongs. These simple steps can keep your tools rust free for years to come.
How do you sharpen garden shears without a file? ›Sharpen your grass clippers with a scissors sharpener
Separate the blades. Hold one of the blades on a wood block with the cutting edge up. Pull the scissors sharpener firmly from the base of the blade to the point. Be sure the carbide sharpening edge makes full contact with the factory bevel of the blade.
Simply wipe the blades clean using a cotton face pad – you may even soak want to soak the cotton pads in some alcohol or hydrogen peroxide in advance for a more precise clean. After doing this, you can also pour a little WD-40 onto steel wool and then buff the pruning shears blades with it.
Will cutting sandpaper sharpen scissors? ›Sandpaper can work wonders on blunt scissors, transforming them until they're as good as new. Fold the sandpaper in half so both rough sides are facing outwards. Cut through the sandpaper with full strokes - beginning at the base of the blade and going the whole way up. The sandpaper will slowly sharpen the blade.
Can you sharpen garden shears with a Dremel? ›Sharpen the blades
Now switch on your Dremel. Sharpen the tip first, then sharpen the blade in a long, controlled motion from tip to hinge. Pass the blade along the grinding stone a few times while being careful not to damage the tip. Repeat for the other blade.
It's easy: Simply cut a dryer sheet several times with your scissors. While you're snipping away, the sheet will help sharpen the blades. You can also use the dryer sheet to clean the blades from any lingering grease and grime. (Wash the scissors with soap and water afterwards.)
Why won t my scissors cut after sharpening? ›Scissors don't cut even after sharpening? Sound familiar? The likely culprit is that the blade edges don't glide over each other because the pivot-screw or rivet is loose.
Do electric knife sharpeners really work? ›For individuals who want a no-fuss/get it done quick approach; electric sharpeners do a fantastic job. There is no need to do anything manually; these sharpeners work automatically and can provide you great results for getting your blades back in tip-top shape.
How do you make old tools look new? ›
Get your rusty old hand tools looking great again by submerging them in vinegar overnight to begin dissolving the coating of oxidized metal. Then rinse them off with water, and rub them down with fine grade steel wool and light machine oil to remove any remaining rust and protect them against further moisture damage.
What can I soak my tools in to clean them? ›To remove rust from small items like knives and hand tools, soak them in a bowl of vinegar. You'll need to let them sit overnight. Remove the item and scrub with a metal brush or steel wool. Rinse with clean water and dry with a towel.
How do you clean pruners between plants? ›Dip, wipe or spray hand pruner blades with alcohol before moving from one plant to the next.
How do you clean garden tools to prevent disease? ›- Stop soil transfer by brushing cultivation tools like spades at the site.
- Apply a suitable disinfectant such as Jeyes fluid, Citrox or Propellar to all used blades. ...
- Dry with an old towel and then oil, remembering that any brush or cloth should also be disinfected.
Clean your kitchen utensils in hot water with an antibacterial detergent. When sanitizing kitchen tools and equipment, use either boiling water or a solution of bleach and water. Store your tools in a regularly cleaned plastic or metal box to keep the germs away.
What is the best oil to use on garden tools? ›Lubricating Oil: Such as boiled linseed oil, tung oil, motor oil, lamp oil, or cooking oil. Boiled linseed and tung oil are probably the best choices, but you can use what you have on hand.
What should you not use WD-40 on? ›There are many different types of plastic, but there are two kinds that you should avoid using WD-40 on—polycarbonate and clear polystyrene plastic. Polycarbonate is a transparent plastic that is commonly used in greenhouses, and polystyrene is typically used for styrofoam and soft drink lids among other items.
What is the best way to clean garden shears? ›Clean pruners with warm dish soap and water or spray the blades with Scrubbing Bubbles® bathroom cleaner to remove dried sap. If your pruners have rusted, soak them overnight in white vinegar to dissolve the rust. Scrub with a wire brush to remove dirt and rust.
What can I use to sharpen garden shears? ›You can easily sharpen your pruning shears at home with a medium or coarse diamond hand file. After you clean the shears and remove rust with a piece of steel wool, use the file to sharpen the cutting blade of the shears. Once the shears are sharpened, coat them in linseed oil to prevent rust.
How do I keep my garden tools sharp? ›At least once a year, give your tools a quick sharpening.
Local tool shops and garden centers sometimes provide this service, but it's just as easy to pick up a sharpening device, like a flat file, whetstone, or carbide knife sharpener, and make a few passes over the cutting edge of your blade when it's feeling dull.
What can I use to sharpen my shears? ›
The best methods for sharpening scissors are on diamond or ceramic plates or rods, or fine belt sharpeners like the Work Sharp Original Knife and Tool Sharpener. If you don't have these tools you can use a honing rod or even a piece of hardened steel like a drill bit.
What is the best oil for cleaning garden tools? ›Lubricating Oil: Such as boiled linseed oil, tung oil, motor oil, lamp oil, or cooking oil. Boiled linseed and tung oil are probably the best choices, but you can use what you have on hand.
What kind of oil is best for garden tools? ›Camellia Oil
This plant-based, non toxic oil stays viscous in cold weather. It's perfect for lubricating pruning tools and hoes with moving parts, like the Hula Hoe.
Sandpaper can work wonders on blunt scissors, transforming them until they're as good as new. Fold the sandpaper in half so both rough sides are facing outwards. Cut through the sandpaper with full strokes - beginning at the base of the blade and going the whole way up. The sandpaper will slowly sharpen the blade.