Have you ever left a tool in your garden only to discover later that it was dirty and rusty?
There’s no need to throw them away and spend money on new equipment.
There are simple methods to remove rust and give your gardening tools a nearly new appearance.
For expert advice on cleaning rusty garden tools and tips to prevent rust in the future, keep reading.
Formation of Rust on Garden Tools
Rust appears on tools when metal containing iron oxidizes due to a combination of moisture and oxygen.
According to Linda Ly, gardening specialist and creator of the Garden Betty website, this phenomenon often results from normal use and improper storage.
She explains that if tools are not wiped after use, or if they are left outside exposed to the elements, they will eventually rust if the iron or steel remains in continuous contact with soil moisture, dew, or ambient humidity.
Rust not only affects the aesthetics of your tools, it also presents other disadvantages:
- Tool Health: Rust can weaken your tools over time, making them less effective and potentially dangerous if they break during use.
- Ease of Use: Rusty tools may be less precise in cutting or digging, requiring more effort on your part and potentially damaging plants due to irregular or jagged cuts.
- Spread of Rust: Rust can spread to other metal objects if they are stored together without proper care.
Cleaning Rusty Garden Tools: First Step
Start by removing surface dirt from the tool.
This will allow you to distinguish rust from simple residues due to improper storage.
According to Linda Ly, the older the rust, the more difficult it will be to remove.
If possible, disassemble the tool to reach all hard-to-reach areas.
Now, onto the actual cleaning!
Vinegar Soak to Remove Rust
White vinegar, used alone or combined with salt, is a simple solution for removing rust.
Soak the tool in a vinegar bath, whether household or more concentrated, the latter being more acidic.
Vinegar chemically reacts with rust, dissolving it and leaving a salty residue easy to wipe off with a cloth.
According to Linda Ly, a few hours are enough to dissolve light rust, while significant rust may require soaking for 12 to 24 hours.
To increase the effectiveness of vinegar, consider adding a quarter cup of salt to about four cups of vinegar.
For slightly rusty tools, a half vinegar half water mixture may suffice.
In case of advanced rust, opt for a 30% vinegar solution.
However, be cautious: wear gloves and monitor the condition of the tools regularly, as too concentrated vinegar can damage the tools if left soaking for too long and can also irritate the skin.
For a demonstration of the vinegar soak method, watch this video from The Ripe Tomato Farms.
Baking Soda and Water Paste
Baking soda, with its abrasive properties, can help remove rust from lightly affected tools.
Prepare a paste of baking soda and water, then apply it to the tool.
Let this paste sit for a few hours.
Then come back and scrub with a brush to remove the baking soda paste, and hopefully, the rust will also disappear.
This method is ideal for cases of mild rust and may not be as effective for heavily rusted tools.
To see this technique along with other rust removal methods, JoeGardenerTV’s video offers a practical demonstration.
Molasses Treatment to Remove Rust
Molasses, surprisingly, isn’t just for cooking.
It can be useful for getting rid of rust on your tools.
Molasses contains chelating agents that bind to the rust and detach it from the base metal, emphasizes Joseph Truini, DIY expert, author of the book “Building Sheds,” and creator of the YouTube channel JoeShowsHow.
Completely submerge the tool in a mixture of one part molasses to nine parts water.
According to Truini, molasses traps rust in a solution that makes it easy to wipe off later.
For superficial rust, soaking for a day or two may be sufficient.
If the surface is heavily corroded, you may have to soak the tools for up to two weeks.
Using Lemon Juice and Salt
Vinegar and molasses are not your only options for fighting rust.
Another alternative is the mixture of salt and lemon or lime juice.
This duo is recognized for its effectiveness by Home Depot specialists.
Salt acts as an abrasive while the acid in lemon or lime juice acts as a corrosive, attacking the rust.
Combine lemon or lime juice with salt to form a paste or solution, without worrying about exact proportions.
If you have more juice, immerse your tools in the solution for about two hours.
If you opted for a paste, apply it to the rusted areas for the same duration.
Keep in mind that the acid in lemon or lime juice is less powerful than vinegar, so brushing will be necessary.
Use a wire brush, scrub pad, or steel wool to scrub.
For an illustration of this method applied to tools, Crisium’s video will show you the steps in detail.
Ketchup Rub for Rust Removal
Ketchup is often suggested online as a trick for removing rust, but it is not as effective as other homemade solutions.
According to Joseph Truini, DIY expert, ketchup is only effective because of its vinegar content.
He recommends using vinegar directly, a less expensive and more effective option.
For those who want to see the method in action using ketchup, Make Stuff’s video offers a demonstration of its application for rust removal.
Manual Effort and Abrasive Material
It is possible to remove rust without resorting to liquid solutions.
Even if your gardening tools have not been neglected for years, it is often possible to remove surface rust.
Using an electric sander, steel wool, or sandpaper can be effective.
Joseph Truini, DIY expert, suggests that “surface rust can be removed by scrubbing the tool with a wire brush.”
He also proposes a faster and easier method: inserting a wire brush into a corded or cordless drill.
However, it is essential to take safety precautions.
He recommends wearing safety glasses or a face shield to protect against wire fragments that may detach from the rotating brush.
These methods do not require chemicals and can restore a neater and more functional appearance to your tools.
Chemical Rust Strippers
Commercial chemical rust strippers contain various acids capable of removing rust from your tools.
Among them are oxalic acid, tannic acid, EDTA, and citric acid.
Joseph Truini, DIY expert, suggests using a commercial chemical if previous methods do not yield satisfactory results.
Products such as Evapo-Rust, CLR, Iron Out, and Bar Keepers Friend are available.
These strippers use acids to dissolve rust.
Truini recommends trying homemade methods first.
When using these products, it is imperative to strictly follow the instructions and wear proper protective equipment to avoid any risks related to the acidity of the strippers.
Preventing Rust Formation on Your Garden Tools
Proper maintenance and storage after each use help prevent rust from forming.
Linda Ly, gardening specialist, recommends three key steps to avoid having to clean rusty garden tools:
- Clean and dry your tools: Do not store your tools when they are wet or dirty. Soil stuck on the tools promotes moisture accumulation, so make sure to wipe them with a dry cloth after each use to remove any traces of dirt, debris, or moisture.
- Lubricate them: After cleaning, apply a thin layer of mineral oil or 3-IN-ONE multipurpose oil on the metal parts using a small brush or cloth. This step forms a protective barrier on the metal and helps prevent the formation of new rust.
- Store them properly: Linda Ly advises against hanging your tools outdoors. Leaving them hanging on the side of a building, even under an overhang, exposes them more to rust. Instead, store them indoors, vertically, inserting the metal part into a bucket filled with dry sand for optimal protection.
Maintaining the Integrity of Your Garden Tools
Preventing rust from forming on your garden tools is essential to maintain their effectiveness and durability.
Here are some additional strategies to keep your tools in excellent condition:
- Ensure cleanliness: After each use, take the time to clean your tools to remove dirt and plant residues.
- Thorough drying: After cleaning, completely dry your tools before storing them to avoid any residual moisture.
- Use protective oil: A layer of oil on the metal parts after cleaning can create a barrier against moisture and oxidation.
- Proper storage: Avoid leaving your tools exposed to the elements where they can be exposed to weather conditions. Store them in a dry and clean place.
For additional tips on maintaining your garden, check out the links below.
