Oxygen and water are two of the most common things on Earth. They are found in the air, in the seas, and our bodies. But even though these things are necessary for life, corrosion and rust can make them a constant threat in our homes.
Our garden tools are most likely to get weaker and break down because of these threats. Usually kept in storage and only used occasionally. A once-sharp pair of garden shears can become dull or a once-reliable socket wrench can become worn down and weaker over time.
The question of how to keep these tools from rusting and corroding is important, so we’ve put together a guide on how to store and maintain them so they last as long as possible.
Storage
When choosing the best way to store your garden tools, there are a few big things to keep in mind.
Up Off The Ground
It’s important to keep garden tools off the ground because concrete and wood can be damaged by moisture from the ground and air. Long-term interactions with any metal pieces can cause a lot of trouble. We recommend getting a good pegboard for small storage spaces. This will help you store your garden tools because it will make them easy to get to and keep them off the floor. with as little interaction as possible.
Dry Environment
Wet conditions can grow in any space that is closed off. To stop this from happening, you need to take steps to keep moisture out of your tools and the area around them. For example, small tools should be kept in toolboxes or other hard metal cases to protect them from the worst effects of the air. Power tools should be kept in their original packaging to protect them from moisture in the air.
You might also want to buy climate and temperature controls to keep your garden tools in good shape. Dehumidifiers are the best way to keep the air dry and cool in storage space so that things don’t break down.
Prevention Is Better Than Treatment
Most of the work that goes into storing garden tools happens before they are put away. Most experts say that before you put your metal tools away for a long time, you should take each one out and wipe it down well with a cloth to get rid of any moisture.
Let them sit for a while so they can dry and air out. Then, spray each tool with a corrosion inhibitor like WD-40. The lubricant forms a thin film that keeps moisture away from sharp blades and metal surfaces, preventing rust.
Keeping Up and Maintaining
Garden tools are kept in storage all year, but they are usually only used during certain times of the year. There are leaf blowers for fall, snow tools for winter, and other tools for spring and summer. To keep working well and avoid the dangers of rust and corrosion, you need to be on the lookout.
For example, a good way to clean smaller garden tools is to fill a large earthen pot with clean dirt and then spray it all over with WD-40. Drop in any tools that are likely to rust or corrode. This will stop that from happening and make it easy to keep cleaning. All you have to do is take the pot out of its place of storage now and then and wipe down the tools with a dry cloth. It can even be used to hold a shovel.
Sharpening Blades
It’s important to keep cutting, slashing, and shearing tools in good shape. Few things are more frustrating than trying to get rid of a bothersome branch or dig a hole only to find that your tools are dull and won’t work.
For larger tools, you can use a mill file, which can be bought at any hardware store. You can buy these with a handle that makes them easy to carry. Put your tools on a stable surface and figure out the best way to cut the blade. And keep working on it until the edge begins to shine again.
Small diamond stones with coarse and fine edges can be used to sharpen smaller tools. The coarse edge is used to sharpen the blade, and the fine edge is used to shape the sharpened edge. The steps are pretty much the same. Make sure the smaller tool is on a surface with good friction, and then sharpen it with the rougher stone at the right angle until a new edge shows through. Then, the fine edge of the stone can be used to polish it.
We recommend lubricating clippers, shears, and any other tool with a lot of moving parts well with WD-40 to keep them from getting stuck or rusty. As the handle is just as important as the blade itself.
Wooden Tools
These tools often split and crack, so they need to be taken care of to keep them from breaking over time and with use. The first step is to clean your tool well with a wire brush, rubbing away any dirt or grease that has built up on it. The next step is to use sandpaper with a medium to high grit to smooth out any rough or flaking spots on the wooden handles. This will keep you from getting splinters in the future.
As with other garden tools, the biggest risk here is water damage. Water is easy to get into the wood, which can cause it to break apart from the inside. Again, a healthy coat of WD-40 can stop corrosion and protect the freshly sanded wood from the effects of the air.
Power Tools
Because these tools are electrical and have many small moving parts, they are often harder to take care of. One of the most important things you can do to take care of several power tools is to replace the carbon brushes that connect the small, powerful motors to the outside world. If your tool is starting to spark and seems to be losing power, these brushes are likely being worn down.
Find out where these brushes are kept on your machine so you can replace them. Usually, this is under one of the two black caps on either side of the device. Clean off any dust that has built up around these, and then carefully loosen each cap with a screwdriver. Most of the time, these are attached with a spring, so it’s best to secure them by hand before unscrewing. Then, each brush is easy to take out, and you can use a small vacuum to clean the empty compartment. You can easily buy replacement brushes from the company that makes your power tool.
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