How To Clean Garden Tools To Make Cutting And Pruning Easier

No matter how busy and creative your garden ideas are, there is always time in your backyard. But don't settle down right away in your garden chair; There is still a lot to be done.

Once you've got everything in order, sorted out your seed bags, and compiled catalog shopping lists, you can have fun coming up with your own organization ideas.

In addition to general care, a few hours spent maintaining hoods, trowels, shears and shears will pay dividends in the next growing season. '

Keeping your garden tools sharp will help you garden more efficiently and for longer,” says Rainer Schubert, CEO of garden tool brand Burgon & Ball.

“Sharp blades are also important for plant health. Sharp blades can crush stems as they struggle to make a cut, leaving puncture wounds on the plant that heal slowly and are more susceptible to infection.”

1. Maintain your garden tools regularly.

“Cleaning your tools before putting them away after every use means your routine maintenance becomes a headache,” says Ed Hames, founder of Tinker & Fix, experts in quality tool care.

“In particular, we advise you to clean and protect pots as often as possible to reduce the risk of disease transmission in your garden. Then you can sharpen them, I would recommend doing this at least twice a year.

“Not everyone has the time, but checking your tools and cleaning them whenever possible is a good idea,” Reiner adds. "An annual handbook could be for seasonal tools, like a bulb planter, or tools that are frequently used each season, like hoes."

2. Start with a deep clean

Thorough cleaning is the first step in caring for your tools, whether cutting or drilling.

“Use warm water, some detergent and a stiff-bristled brush to remove dried dirt and sweat, then use a towel to dry the tools or let them air dry,” says Reiner Schubert of Burgon & Ball.

“To prevent rust until you use it again, use a soft cloth to wipe a few drops of oil off the tool head or blade,” he continues.

Stuart Wills of Niwaki, who specializes in Japanese instruments, recommends chamomile oil. “This is the traditional Japanese way of oiling tools because it leaves a very thin film rather than an oily surface,” he explains.

2. Remove rust from garden tools

"You can use multiple brushes to remove rust from a car's surface," says Tinker & Fix's Ed Hames. A brass brush is great for removing light surface rust. If you want to restore a heavily rusted tool, you can switch to a steel wire brush.

You can also use chemicals like this Bar Keeper's Friend cleaner on Amazon, although Ed also likes to clean with vinegar, a great ingredient that can be used to freshen and scent clothes and clean the house with vinegar and soap. Soda even removes ivy.

“It works well and is a much cheaper option. Just let things soak for 24 hours or more (the process is faster in a hot environment). You will see the metal go from rusty brown to black. hot water, discard and let dry.

3. Make sure the tools are sharp

“If you like sharpening, you should be able to do it yourself,” says Niwakee's Stuart Wills, although he recommends continuing to sharpen by hand using a saw and whetstone, or a diamond file for smaller tools. . .

“Some professional sharpeners use angle grinders but don't use scissors or scissors because the steel is brittle and angle grinders can damage it,” he says.

4. Place the wooden handle

“Wooden handles should be oiled at least once a year. This is to prevent overdrying, which can lead to cracking or loosening of the handles,” says Ed Hames of Tinker & Fix.

"Make sure the gloves are clean and free of dirt, then wipe them down with linseed or tung oil."

How to clean garden tools?

In the words of fellow bartenders, “Cleaning and disinfecting your garden tools is an essential part of garden tool care, and you should devote enough time to this important task.”

Here's what you need to clean your garden tools: