How to Prevent Rust on Shovels or Spades
Most people store their lawn tools in the garage for the winter and never give them another thought until they are ready to use them the following spring. It's not uncommon to notice some rust all over the blades after a winter of not being used. Learn how to prevent your garden tools from rusting during their dormant times. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Shovel or spade
- Light-weight motor oil (new or used)
- 2 rags
- Water hose
- Water source
- Wire brush
- Drying towel
Instructions
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1
Gather all the metal, dirty garden tools around the water hose and the water source. Turn on the water and run it over the dirty tools. With the wire brush, scrub off any rust or dirt that will not come off with water.
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2
Towel dry each tool and make sure no water is beaded up on the blade or teeth. If water remains, allow the tools to air dry for 30 minutes.
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3
Lightly soil one rag with motor oil. It doesn't matter if the oil is used, just as long as it does not have water or anti-freeze in it. With the lightly soiled rag, cover the entire metal portion of the tool. If the handle is metal, cover it as well. You want only a thin layer of oil on these tools.
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4
Wipe off any excess oil left on the tools and store in the usual manner.
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Tips & Warnings
If you don't have a shed or garage to store tools in, wrap the head of the tools in an oily rag, place them inside a plastic bag and seal the bag with tape.
WD-40 is not an oil. It is oil based but it also has a type of alcohol in it that allows it to evaporate. Do not use this to treat your tools.
You may sharpen the tools before storing. Sharpen any tools before using oil to winterize it.
Do not allow pets or children around oil.
