Spend hours digging in the dirt every weekend in the spring and summer? Chances are your gardening tools have been put through their paces. Just like a great chef keeps their knives sharp for all that slicing and dicing, you too should make maintaining your garden tools a priority.
But how often do you clean them, and how? We consulted several reputable online sites for tips.
Why Does It Matter?
Constant digging, raking, and prepping soil can wreak havoc on even the strongest tools, making it hard to efficiently manage that garden of your dreams, which is why it’s important to care for them regularly. Doing so helps prolong their life, saving you money in the long run. Plus, it keeps your garden healthy by preventing the spread of disease, weed seeds, and pests, to name a few.
From a safety standpoint, tools that aren’t maintained can put the entire body at an increased risk of injury. Dull tools require increased effort to get the same job done, particularly straining the hands and back. While it’s easy to forget about tool maintenance until the end of the season when putting everything away, taking a proactive approach throughout the growing season can make a difference long-term.
How Often to Clean Gardening Tools
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It’s best to be proactive with your gardening tools and clean them after every use. I imagine you’re saying “But why? I’m just going to get them dirty again next time.”
While this is true, you never know what your tools are picking up while you’re digging in the dirt. It’s easy to spread pathogens, bacteria, and fungi from plant bed to plant bed. If you’re an avid gardener whose tools are always in your hands and cleaning after each use is impractical, the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Research & Extension advises to clean them at least once per year.
Cleaning Supplies to Have on Hand
Most of the cleaning supplies you’ll need for your tools are likely already in your home. These include:
- Dish soap
- Sponge
- Bucket
- Bleach
- Steel wool
- Sandpaper
- WD-40 or similar
- Paper towels
- Washcloths
- Sand and oil mixture
You don’t need any fancy cleaners, such as those sold in gardening stores around the country, though you can certainly use them if you like. The basic ones you have in your home will more than suffice for even the toughest jobs.
Cleaning Your Tools After Each Use
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One of the easiest things you can do is simply spray your tools off after each use with the garden hose. The pressure will help remove caked-on dirt at the bare minimum if you don’t have time for deep cleaning, or you plan to use the tools again within a short time frame.
Since you can’t be sure what soil contains, this is a quick preventative measure against cross-contamination.
Tackling Built-on Grime
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To remove built-on grime, you’ll need to use a cleaning agent such as a soap or detergent. You should remove all soil before using any cleaning agents.
If you have clay soil, you might need to apply some elbow grease in the form of a bristle brush to fully remove the particles. It’s important to remove all of the dirt and debris on the tools before using a cleaning agent.
Using Cleaning Agents
Bleach is an effective cleaning agent for more than just your white laundry and countertop surfaces. To use it for your garden tools, you’ll need to dilute it quite a bit. Use no more than one part bleach to nine parts water, which creates a 10% solution. You can then dip the tools in the solution or spray it on them.
Don’t use bleach to clean your cutting or pruning tools as it can damage the metal surface. Instead, use it for larger tools such as your rake, shovel, or spade. For smaller tools, use a 70% rubbing alcohol solution. You can buy this directly and according to the Centers for Disease Control, it’s the most effective for disinfecting.
Tips for Cleaning Rust
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If your tools are looking rusty, all isn’t lost, but you also don’t want to use them as-is in your garden. For one, they are likely to work less effectively, putting more strain on your hands. And, they’re susceptible to more damage.
Don’t toss your rusty tools, though, without giving them a chance. In fact, Melody Rose of Dave’s Garden detailed how she has kept her grandparents’ tools around for decades. One of the easiest ways to remove rust is with steel wool, just remember the oil the blades afterward.
Applying Oil to Tools
Once your tools are clean and completely dry, it’s time to oil them. You’ll want to oil both the steel and wood components. Steel blades on your shovel, spades, and cutters are susceptible to rusting, so a thin coat of mineral or linseed oil can help keep it from drying out. Some sites suggest using motor oil, but that can transfer to your plant beds and soil, so it’s best to avoid it.
For the wood handles, to keep them from drying out and potentially splintering, a thin coat of linseed oil is really all you need.
Store Your Tools Out of the Elements
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Once your tools are clean, it’s important to store them properly. This not only keeps them ready to go for the next time you need them, but keeps them from prematurely wearing down.
It can be tempting to lean them against a shed, barn, or other outside structure to keep them within reach, but it’s detrimental to the tools. Instead, store them inside, out of the elements where they will remain dry.
