How to Clean Rust Off Pruning Shears

Rusty garden shears can be inefficient and cause ragged cuts.

Gardening tools that are free of rust work more smoothy, make pruning tasks easier and keep plants healthier. Keeping your pruning shears free of rust also make it easier to work the mechanism, which in turns prevents excessive fatigue in your hard-working hands. Regular removal of rust, followed by an application of a coating of preventative oil, will make future cleaning easier and limit the formation of more rust deposits.

Things You'll Need

• Stiff wire brush
• Garden gloves
• Steel wool
• Clean cloth
• Tool or motor oil

Instructions

1. Rub off the coarse rust with vigorous strokes of a stiff wire brush.

2. Don protective gloves. Burnish off the remaining fine surface rust and discoloration with a small wad of steel wool, working in a buffing motion.

3. Wipe the rust and metal dust off the pruning shears with the barely damp end of a clean cloth.

4. Coat the blades with a thin coat of 3-in-1 tool oil or a few drops of fresh motor oil, using a clean, dry end of the cloth. This will help prevent the formation of new rust.

References

• University of Florida IFAS Extension; Sharpening Tools for Landscaping and Gardening; Geoffrey C. Denny; May 2009
• Fine Gardening; Clean, Sharp Tools Work Better; Ken Textor