How to Keep Garden Tools Sharp and Rust Free
Tending to your garden requires using garden tools. Gardening tools can become rusted and dull over time due to weather conditions. It's best to keep your tools in a protected area such as a garage or shed. Doing this, along with some regular maintenance, will keep your tools rust free.
Items Needed
- bucket and lid
- sand
- oil
- clean rags
- Rinse your garden tools with water after each use to remove any stuck-on dirt.
- Find a bucket large enough to fit the head of your garden tool in it with some room to spare. Measure your longest garden tool head and width. Use these measurements to find the right sized bucket.
- Fill the bucket about 3/4 full with sand.
- Pour oil onto the sand to fully saturate it. You can use either motor oil or cooking oil. The oil will seep into the sand. Continue to pour oil until you can visibly see that it has soaked the sand up to the top. Try avoiding have excess oil laying on top of your sand.
- Shove the head of the garden tool into the sand oil mixture. Take care to keep the handle out of the sand. Pull the tool out of the sand. Repeat shoving the tool head in and out of the sand five times.
- Wipe your garden tool off with a clean rag. Leave a thin film of oil on the head of your garden tool. This will protect it from the weather elements.
- Place a lid on your bucket. This keeps insects out of the sand and allows you to use the mixture again.
- Hang your tool in a protected area.