Tag Archives: How to Clean your gardening tools

Cleaning Your Garden Tools

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Initial Cleaning

  • Remove Loose Debris: Use a brush or a stiff brush to remove any loose dirt, leaves, or other debris
  • from your tools.
  • Wash with Soap and Water: Dip the tools in a bucket of soapy water (dish soap or detergent) and scrub thoroughly to remove dirt and grime.
  • Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse the tools under running water to remove all soap residue.

Disinfection (Recommended):

  • Bleach Solution: For a quick and effective disinfection, soak the cleaned tools in a chlorine bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water) for about 10 minutes, then rinse and dry thoroughly.
  • Alcohol Solution: Isopropyl alcohol (70-100%) can also be used for disinfection. Dip the tools in the alcohol solution, allow them to air dry, and then dry the tools thoroughly.  Add Isopropyl alcohol into a handheld sprayer and spray shears between each plant you prune.

Rust Prevention:

  • Dry tools:  Completely dry tools before storing them, otherwise moisture can lead to rust.
  • Apply Oil: To prevent rust, apply a thin layer of mineral oil, linseed oil, or WD-40 to metal parts, especially after cleaning.
  • Soak in Sand: For a quick way to clean and oil tools mix some linseed oil in a bucket of sand and then stab the tool into the sand a few times.

Specific Tool Cleaning:

  • Pruning Shears/Pruners: Disassemble pruners, wash each part individually with warm, soapy water, and scrub any sap or sticky residue left behind.
  • Disinfect Pruning Shears: Add Isopropyl alcohol into a handheld sprayer and spray shears between each plant pruning.

Cultivation Tools (Spades, Hoes, Forks, Rakes, Trowels): Use a stiff scrubbing brush to remove any soil from the blade and shaft.

Rusty Tools: Soak rusty tools in vinegar for several hours to loosen rust, then scrub with steel wool or a wire brush. After removing the rust, neutralize vinegar with a baking soda and water solution.

Tips for Larger Tools:
If your tools are too large to fit in a container, wrap them in a cloth soaked with vinegar and salt, then place them in a plastic bag. Check the tools periodically to see if the rust has softened. When rust is loose, then follow “After Soaking” steps.
 

Important Note: Vinegar is a mild acid, so it can dissolve and pit steel if left on for too long.

Article & Photo by: Carlotta Lucas, AGC Member