1. Cleaning, Disinfecting and Caring Garden Tools
Maria Teresa Cerqueira
Adapted from UF/IFAS Publications

2. Importance of cleaning and disinfecting garden tools
Clean garden tools are important for garden sanitation, and can prevent the spread of disease-causing pathogens.
Whether you have one tool for the whole garden or many you rotate between, it is important to sterilize as frequently as possibly.
For more information on sterilizing your garden tools or dealing with disease in your landscape, contact your local county Extension office.

3. Cleaning and Disinfecting
Cleaning and disinfecting are two distinct steps. Cleaning involves physically removing soil and debris and is the first step prior to disinfecting your tools.
Soil and other organic residues reduce the effectiveness of disinfectants.
Before disinfecting, always remove dirt, debris, or sap by wiping your tools with a damp cloth or paper towel.
There are a number of products that can be used to disinfect tools and gardening surfaces, and each has advantages and disadvantages.

4. Household Disinfectants
The advantages to using household disinfectants, such as Lysol, to clean are that they're easy to find and most aren't corrosive. The disadvantage is that little research has been done regarding their effectiveness against plant pathogens.
Household disinfectants are relatively expensive when compared to other disinfectants that can be used on horticultural tools.
How you use household disinfectants will vary depending on what product you are using.
Generally you will want to apply a full strength spray or dip; always be sure to read the label first.

5. Chlorine Bleach
Chlorine bleach is inexpensive, effective, and easy to find. But it is corrosive, can produce harmful fumes, and isn't as effective against viruses as other products.
Using chlorine bleach to disinfect horticultural tools, mix a 10% bleach solution (one part bleach to nine parts water) and do a 30-minute soak.
The solution has a short lifespan—effectiveness is cut in half after two hours—so fresh batches should be made for each round of cleaning.
Rinse tools with clean water after soaking to prevent corrosion. Dry tools to prevent corrosion

6. Ethanol or Isopropyl Alcohol
The advantages of alcohol (ethanol or isopropyl) to sanitize your gardening tools is that it can be used as a wipe (no soaking necessary), you don't have to rinse the product off, and it's immediately effective.
The disadvantage of alcohols is that they're very flammable. To disinfect your tools with alcohol wipe them in a solution that is 70–100% alcohol. Ethanol and isopropyl alcohol are widely available at a variety of stores.

7. Pine Oil Products
Pine oil products are not as corrosive as other disinfecting products on the market, but they're also not as effective.
To use pine oil products, mix a 25% solution (one part pine oil to three parts water) and soak the tools in the solution.
Many commercial products are available at a variety of stores.

8. Keep It Clean
Regardless of which product you choose, being diligent about keeping your tools clean is very important to keeping your plants healthy.
A longer soaking may be needed for pruning surfaces that are not smooth.
Ideally tools should be disinfected after working on every plant; but it may not be practical. If possible, rotate between several tools while working in the garden. That way, one tool can be disinfected while you work with another. After dipping your tools, be sure to wipe away excess disinfectant to avoid injuring the next plant.
Lysol is a practical household disinfectant to clean your tools, easy to find and not corrosive. Tools can dry quickly.

9. Care & Maintenance of Garden Tools
Properly maintained quality garden tools are a joy to use and can last for generations.
Regularly cleaning and oiling your garden tools will prevent rust, keep them sharper, and allow the handles to stay strong.
Start by cleaning tools, giving your tools a good scrubbing to remove any mud and grit from the blades and handles. Dry with old towels, then set them aside overnight so they dry completely to avoid trapping moisture.

10. Supplies and Materials to care for Garden tools
Supplies: Steel wool, scrub brush, wire brush, old rags or towels.
Sandpaper: (80 and 120 grit) That works on both wood and metal.
Sharpening Tools: A fine metal file and a sharpening stone to hone edges.
Lubricating Oil: Such as boiled linseed oil, Tung oil, motor oil, lamp oil, or cooking oil. Boiled linseed and Tung oil are probably the best choices, but you can use what you have on hand.
Safety Equipment: Wear gloves, eye protection, and a dust mask when working on tools.

11. Remove Rust
Use steel wool or a wire brush to scrub away any rust that has accumulated on metal parts. A rotary wire brush attachment chucked in a drill can make the job easier. As a rule, you want to remove the rust with as little grinding and scraping of the steel as possible to keep tools from becoming thinner and weaker over time.

12. Sand Tools
Smooth worn wooden handles with medium grit sandpaper to remove splinters and deteriorated finish. You can also use sandpaper to remove any remaining rust from surfaces and crevices and to lightly polish the metal. When finished, thoroughly wipe down the tools to remove any wood or metal sanding dust.

13. Oil Tools
Using a clean rag, apply oil, like boiled linseed oil, to both the wooden handle and the metal blade. Rub the oil into the surface then wipe off any excess. The oil will help prevent rust and condition the wood to keep it from absorbing water and prevent cracking. After the handle has dried, apply a second coat of oil to the wood if needed. Tools with fiberglass or composite handles will only need a good cleaning.
Some gardeners prefer to sand wooden tool handles and reapply a coat of exterior finish such as spar varnish. If you do refinish your tool handles, make sure the wood is completely dry first. Using oil may be preferred simply because its a quick wipe down, rather than the time to sand the wood, apply finish, and wait for it to dry.

14. Sharpen Tools
Use a metal file to lightly sharpen the edges of tools. Again, you don’t want to grind away too much of the metal, just use it to smooth out nicks, remove burrs, and give a nice clean edge. On some cutting tools (like hedge clippers and axes), you’ll need to follow up with a sharpening stone lubricated with oil for a finer edge.

15. Prevention Tips
Now that your gardening tools look like new, take the time to keep them that way! At the end of every gardening day, spend a few minutes to:
Rinse off mud and soil with a garden hose. Clinging wet soil is the main cause of rust on garden tools.
Scrub away stubborn soil with a scrub brush (use paint thinner to remove sap and pitch, if any).
Wipe tools dry with a rag or towel, or let them dry in the sun while you finish your chores.
Hang tools up rather than standing them on their edges.
Periodically wipe on a light coat of oil or spray surfaces with penetrating oil.
You can also put tools in a sand bucket (use play sand, not beach sand) )with oil to keep them clean.