How Do I Remove Rust From My Garden Tools—Without Harsh Chemicals?
Garden tools, like shovels, are most often made with carbon steel. Known for its strength, it's the optimal material for cutting, slicing, and digging through plant material and soil. However, the main component of carbon steel is iron, so exposure to oxygen and moisture over time will cause rust. Not properly cleaning your tools after use, or accidentally leaving a tool outside in rain or snow will cause that reddish-brown patina to make an appearance. But all is not lost. As long as the rust is still surface level, you can rid your tools of rust in a few steps.
What you'll need
Skip the trip to the hardware store and gather up these common household items:
- White vinegar
- Wire brush or coarse steel wool
- Old towel
- Plastic bag
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3 Easy steps to remove rust from a shovel
Step 1. Remove loose dirt and rust
Start the process by removing loose dirt and rust with a wire brush.
Step 2. Soak the shovel in vinegar
Wrap the blade snugly in an old towel, soak it with white vinegar (any strength will work), slip everything into a plastic bag and tie it shut. Soak up to 24 hours.
Step 3. Scour the surface of the tool with a stiff brush
After soaking the shovel, remove the tool and scour the surface with a stiff brush or coarse steel wool. If necessary, repeat the process. Once you’re done with the vinegar you can pour it down a drain.
Watch the process in our video!
See this poorly maintained shovel from our test garden come back to life after using the method listed above to remove the dirt and rust in our short video.
How to prevent rust on garden tools
To keep your tools strong, sharp, and efficient, avoid rust with some simple maintenance.
Clean your tools after each use
Removing soil and plant debris will help prevent rust on your tools as well as keep diseases, fungi, and weed seeds from spreading around your garden. A quick wash with a hose and drying with a cotton rag will often do the trick. If you're working with heavy, clay soil, a little scrubbing might be necessary.
Apply a little oil to your best garden tools
For your highest-quality tools, you might consider the extra step of applying oil to further prevent rust. Exposure to oxygen can still cause rust, even when tools are carefully washed and dried, and appling oil will create a barrier that stops them from oxidizing. There are several products available for this purpose, but mineral or vegetable oil are also good options.
Original Question submitted by Pat Alvarez, IN
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