If you store them correctly and take good care of them, quality garden tools will last you a lifetime. However, if you neglect them by not cleaning them or leaving them exposed to atmospheric precipitation, they won't take long to rust. Fortunately, there are some simple remedies to remove rust and restore tools to their former glory. But be aware that before you can remove it, you will need to thoroughly clean all your tools.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Cleaning the Tools
Step 1. Clean your garden tools to avoid the spread of disease
Cleaning your garden tools prevents the spread of infections within the garden, from one diseased plant to another. It also helps prevent rust from forming, since clean tools tend to be exposed to less moisture.
- It might sound over the top, but cleaning your shears with a household cleaning product after each cut will help prevent the spread of infections.
- It is especially important to clean your tools if they have come in contact with materials such as fresh concrete, which would ruin the blades if left to dry.
Step 2. Clean your tools if you want them to stay sharp
Always having sharp garden tools makes them safer to use. While it seems counterintuitive, a sharp blade is safer, since it requires less force to cut, and is therefore more difficult to slip off.
- Also, when you cut through your plant's cells with something like a pair of shears, a sharp blade will cause less damage to the cells than a dull one.
- This will allow the plant to regenerate faster, reducing the risk of infections due to fungi or the weather.
Step 3. First you will need to remove dirt and debris from the tools, especially in the area of the blades or pins
Some water and a fairly stiff toothbrush will do just fine.
- Do not postpone cleaning if you have used the tool to work with any substance that may dry out, such as cement, glue, or paint. If your tool has traces of any of these substances on it, it should be cleaned as soon as possible to prevent it from drying out.
- After using the toothbrush to remove the dirt, rinse the tool under running water and leave it to dry. It may even take all night if it has intricate surfaces that could hold moisture.
- After drying, you can coat your tools with a light coat of mineral oil or motor oil.
Step 4. Use a solvent to remove any resin residue
Solvents such as kerosene or some household cleaning products will allow you to remove the resin from your tools. Knowing this is useful if you have pruned spruce trees or resinous bushes.
Step 5. Check tools for damage
While cleaning, it would be good to inspect the tools for damage. In general, you should avoid using damaged tools, as they may be unsafe.
Part 2 of 3: Remove the Rust
Step 1. Soak the rusted tools in a solution of water and vinegar
If your tools are rusted, try soaking the metal parts in a 1: 1 solution of water and vinegar for 24 hours. Use cheap supermarket white vinegar.
- Remove them from the solution and dry them with paper towels, then remove the rust with a steel wool.
- Rusty blades may require a second dip once the first layer of rust is removed.
Step 2. Use a citric acid solution to remove rust
Some gardeners prefer to use a 3% solution of citric acid in place of vinegar - this is a more convenient way if you have to make a large amount of solution when you have a lot of tools to clean, or large tools. Make sure you get rid of any residual solution using clean water after diving.
- You can find citric acid in small quantities in grocery stores or those for winemakers, or try some shop dedicated to agriculture and livestock, as it is used by pig farmers (and may be cheaper. to buy in large quantities).
- Don't use this method to clean things like brakes or an engine block, as the citric acid solution can cause them to crumble.
Step 3. Alternatively, dip the tools into black tea or cola
Other gardeners suggest using black tea or cola instead of vinegar to remove rust.
- Soak the tools, then scrub them with a rag or steel wool until the rust is removed.
- You can also try using a crumpled sheet of aluminum kitchen paper and some water to remove the rust.
Step 4. Try to minimize scrubbing when removing rust
Using light circular motions, repeated until no longer needed, is the best way to remove rust without thinning or scratching the underlying metal.
Step 5. You should wear protective gloves, goggles and a face mask during the procedure
It's a good idea to make sure your tetanus vaccine is still working
Step 6. Sharpen your tools after removing the rust
After removing the rust, it is a good idea to sharpen the tools. There are several ways to sharpen garden tools: you can use a whetstone, a flat file or a sharpener.
- If you use a whetstone, start by wetting it well. You can use mineral oil or motor oil instead of water if you want. Without pressing too hard, always rub the stone in the same direction along one side of the blade.
- Add more oil or water as soon as the stone surface dries. To improve the finish of the blade, you may want to use a finer stone after the first sharpening.
Step 7. Test the sharpening of the tools
Test the sharpening, perhaps with a twig intended for the fireplace (don't use your finger!). If the blade is sharp enough, lightly oil the tool, making sure that the oil reaches all the mechanisms, and store everything carefully.
Part 3 of 3: Prevent Tools From Rusting
Step 1. Always clean your tools, and prevent them from getting wet
Cleaning your tools regularly and properly will prevent rust from even starting to form. It is equally important to avoid them staying wet for a long period of time. Never leave tools out in the open air, as they will rust quickly if exposed to atmospheric precipitation.
Step 2. Store your tools properly
After cleaning them, let them dry before storing them in a dry place, such as a shed. Try to avoid stacking them in a box or compartment, as this could ruin the sharpness of the blades. It would be better to store them separately. Consider installing a stand to hang them inside your shed.
Step 3. Consider storing your tools in a bucket full of sand and mineral oil
Some gardeners recommend washing tools with water, letting them dry, and then stuffing them into a bucket filled with a mix of sand and mineral oil for storage. This is a precaution that should be used to counteract the onset of rust.
