Before you store your gardening tools for the winter season, take time this fall to clean and care for them. The time and effort you put in now will keep your tools in tip top shape and extend their life.
Step 1- Clean your tools with a stiff bristle brush, wire brush, paint scraper, or blast of water to remove dirt and debris. Use steel wool to remove rust and sap. Or put a few drops of oil on a cotton rag and rub sap from tools and blades. Lightly sand wooden handles with a medium grit sandpaper to eliminate splinters. Wash tools with warm, soapy water and let them air dry. If it’s a sunny day, use the sunshine to dry your tools!
Step 2 – Disinfect tools with 70% alcohol (best for sharp blades) or a 10% bleach solution. Avoid routinely using bleach wipes because the bleach will corrode metal.
Step 3 – Sharpen your tools. You can get them professionally sharpened or do it yourself. For digging tools like spades, shovels, or hoes, use a whetstone and/or a file and follow the angle of the existing edge. Move in ONE direction only. For cutting tools like shears, pruners, or loppers use a whetstone or file/handheld sharpener. Follow the angle or edge of the blade; move in ONE direction across the entire blade. Check the backside of the blade for burrs and remove them using the same procedure.
Step 4 – Lightly oil metal surfaces with a lubricant such as WD-40 and protect wooden handles with linseed oil.
Step 5 – Store tools indoors and off the ground where they could be exposed to moisture. Disconnect, drain, and store all hoses before a hard freeze. A few easy steps this fall will jump start your spring gardening chores and extend the useful life of your tools.