How to Maintain Garden Tool Handles

Quality garden tools are expensive. It's well worth your while to keep yours in good shape. They'll last much longer and, in the case of wooden-handled tools, will feel better in your hands. Here are a few things you can do to keep those tools looking great for years.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• End-cap For PVC Pipe
• PVC Pipe
• Rags
• Rags
• Bungee Cords
• Linseed Oils
• Sandpaper
• Sandpaper

1. Wash tools with fresh water as soon as you are finished using them to remove any dirt. Mud and soil left on the handles will cause them to deteriorate quickly.

2. Wipe the handles down with linseed oil several times a year. Pour a little oil onto a rag and go over the entire wooden surface.

3. Sand tools that have lost their finish. Use a medium-grain sandpaper to restore the surface to weathered tools. After sanding, wipe down with linseed oil.

Tips & Warnings

• For a real beauty treatment, make an oil soak for tools with long wooden handles. Fit an end-cap on a length of 1 1/2-inch PVC pipe, place the tool into the pipe and fill with oil. Secure the pipe in an upright position with a bungee cord so the oil won't spill. Soak overnight.

on 11/22/2005 Trust me, the rule of thumb for gardening would have to be keep your tools like your best friend.
If it is a wood handle, then always keep it away from moisture and store it in a box with all your other tools. If it is plastic, then try wrapping the edge where the blade and the plasic meet with bonding tape. This makes a great label and it also helps stabilize the handle, which prevents breakage and cracks. Any visible cracks should be wrapped with strong masking tape.