How can you clean, maintain, and save your garden tools from dirt, rust, mildew, and termites appropriately? Have you saved them correctly and in the right place? Otherwise, the tools (which can be easily corroded or damaged) can't be used again. Identify the nature and character of your garden tools and find out how to keep them rust-free.
Clean garden tools immediately after use.
Used garden tools are usually filled with mud and soil. Soil and other debris that are still attached can make garden tools made of metal susceptible to rusting. To clean the rest of the mud or soil on the surface of the knife or metal, you can wipe it with sand, then cover with a thin oil. This thin layer of oil can prevent the occurrence of rust on the metal surface.
Keep them in a special place.
After cleaning garden tools, you should store them in a special place that's dry and not damp. Don’t place garden tools such as hoes, axes, etc. directly on the floor because the floor can cause a moist atmosphere that will make the surface of the tools rusty. Consider having a container or basket for storing these tools. If not, you can drive a nail into the wall, then hang the garden tools on the wall so they don't touch the ground/floor.
Clean the rust with sandpaper, wire brush or sandpaper.
For tool plantations that are already rusty, clean and remove rust from the surface by scrubbing with a wire brush or sandpaper. After peeling rust, wipe the metal surface, then lightly rub with oil to protect the surface from the emergence of rust in the future. You can also use natural ingredients to clean rust attached to the surface of the blades. Always use eye protection when removing rust from metal surfaces.
Sand and oil wooden handles.
Not only garden tools that are made of metal need treatment, because handles made of wood also need treatment before storing. Perform sanding and coat surfaces using linseed oil. This is to keep the handles stay dry and not damp or moldy.
Empty fuel (oil or gas) in the garden equipment engine.
There are some gardening tools powered by an engine, such as a lawnmower and some driven by a battery. After use, we sometimes forget there's still remaining fuel in the machine. This fuel, even if the amount isn't much, can potentially be a fire hazard and isn't desirable, especially if the tool will be stored in the long term. So, always try to empty the fuel in the engine garden tools before storing. You can store the fuel in a safe place, then use it again later when the tool will be used.
Clean other non-metal tools with water.
For other gardening tools that aren't made of metal, such as gloves, rags, and a sack, simply wash with water and soap, then dry completely. Place them in a plastic container or box. Why plastic box? Plastic boxes are relatively more resistant to damp conditions, mildew resistant, and termites.
You certainly need the help of your garden tools, so you need to keep them rust-free.
For more gardening tips, consult the gardening experts in Australia today.