How to clean & maintain your garden tools - make them last longer and work better!

[@margueriteocarroll9532]

A tip I learned over 30 years ago on gardeners world with the late and great Geoff Hamilton, was to get a bucket of sand, mix some oil or burned oil into it and every time you put away your spades and forks just push them into the sand mixture. Realistically most of us are too tired after a day in the garden to clean our tools, so the sand cleans the dirt and the oil protects. I can guarantee it works as my spade and fork are both more than 30 years, in fact the spade is worn down to about 6”, but is still very useable.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

It's a great tip!

[@safiyahjacqueline7082]

What kind of oil do you use?

[@joopspeth6483]

We used to do that too, see my message above this one. We used motor oil in a big barrel of sand, but the sand and oil is considered as chemical waste now, so I didn't mention it. So maybe linseed oil would be an option which is not poisonous.

[@maureenmckenna5220]

Very timely as spring is almost upon us. Thanks.

[@karenvknight6516]

That was great and thank you for not talking over him as so many videos seem to do! Very helpful. Charlottesville VA USA

[@dancoopergarden]

Alexandra is always so professional and well prepared for our chats! We usually manage the in one take 😊 Glad you enjoyed this video.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@aussiegirl654]

I'd like to see how to sharpen secateurs close up as I have the small sharpener but it wasn't successful as I probably did it on the wrong angle.

[@karenvknight6516]

I agree. I would have liked to see close-ups of the sharpening process. Thank you.

[@dancoopergarden]

Thank you for the feedback. Perhaps we should do a sharpening video in future so that we can show how it’s done. It’s quite an art but also not so difficult. I will refrain from trying to explain here as it’s definitely easier to demonstrate than describe!

[@karenvknight6516]

@@dancoopergarden that would be appreciated. I have never seen a sharpening stone here in the US with that special edge, so please cover using a flat sharpening device as well like a file. Thanks for being so responsive!

[@dancoopergarden]

@@karenvknight6516 you are welcome. The Niwaki brand is available in the USA so it might be worth you having a search for one of these!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Yes, I'm sorry we omitted to do a close up of the sharpening, I should have spotted that

[@dewdan11dnd46]

Brilliant tips, for maintenance. Thank you both for sharing. 💞💞✨✨

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Our pleasure!

[@jwf6289]

Wow. I needed this. Thank you both !

[@penelopehammerton2907]

Thank you both for a very useful video. I bought a stone and already training myself to get into a secateur and snips sharpening routine. Not done once a week, but more on a day when it's raining and with a cup of coffee, it feels like you are making a contribution to the maintenance of your garden. And super to use as soon as the rain stops. 🤗🧑‍🌾

[@dancoopergarden]

That sounds like an excellent plan. If you can make tool maintenance enjoyable and quick, it certainly makes the job a lot more appealing. So glad you enjoyed the video Penelope.

[@feedermonkey7233]

I love this channel 💛 Consistently one of the best on YT! Thank you for all your work making these!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoy it! Thank you

[@stephaniesharkey3538]

Thx Alexandra!🌿🧑🏻‍🌾✂️

[@davidlittlebellschannel8282]

Good tips , I always look forward to your videos and hopefully I will look after my tools much better. Keep up the good work. David

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@DownButNotOutYet]

Good morning Alexander, what a coincidence this video appeared! I bought a very expensive secateurs and it was getting a bit blunt and it also black on the blades, continual use and not cleaning etc. My son serviced these secateurs just 2 days ago, can you believe that, he complained about what Dan said, they are not working as they should. I am very blessed to have him to sort that out for me. Maintaining our garden tools are very important, it is lovely to use clean tools like washing your dishes, we don' drink out of dirty tea cups so the same applies for garden tools. We just keep taking chances 😊 This was a lovely informative video and it teaches to be more diligent with our stuff, we complain about the price of garden tools yet we do not take care of them. For disinfecting the cutters, surgical spirits work a charm and it is not expensive but bleach does the trick as well. Linseed oil will be very good for the wooden handles, I have a set which is desperate need of sanding and oiling, and then I can use them again. The vinegar solution for rust is brilliant and it works! Thank you Dan for your informative chat and tips. Take care much love, Elize

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@thedave7029]

Good morning. Thank you for another great video. Have a wonderful weekend. Dave - Liverpool

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thanks, you too!

[@sallynolan5928]

The late great Geoff Hamilton recommended that to keep spades and forks sharpened and greased was to get a bucket old gravel and add some old used oil - engine oil I think, and just plunge tools in and out a few times. Hey presto sharpened and greased. Good old Geoff.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

That's a great tip, I think quite a traditional one in some parts of the world.

[@maryanna6302]

Never thought of the vinegar idea before, and who knew WD-40 was an international product, it's a staple in US but I didn't realize it's main purpose was repelling moisture. Great demonstrations!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@laurenb6451]

Thank you for an enlightening video. I use cut up burlap bag that rice comes in to wipe off all the soil that clings to tools. Learned this as a child at NYBG. For hand clippers I have a stone and occasionally touch up the edge. My tools are on the inexpensive side so if I lose them I won’t be furious. Fiskars clippers are about 15 years old and still getting the job done! 💚

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Good tips, thank you

[@paulinecrispin121]

Hi Alexander. I 100% know that I don't look after my garden tools as I should. Many thanks for this video. I must try harder. 😁

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you - and me, too!

[@mauracurran3270]

I lost a very well known brand of seceteurs ,red handle.Found many years later at bottom of garden pond,cleaned as recommended any still in use.Good tools pay back in longevity.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I know that brand, and yes, definitely performed well for me too over many years!

[@joopspeth6483]

An additional tip from the days I worked as a gardener: we used to sharpen the hoe and the spade now and then with a grinder. Works more easily, and I still do it sometimes. Furthermore I treat the handle of my old Spear and Jackson spade with linseed oil. Rub it in, let it impregnate and rub it off. Your videos are allways very useful and entertaining Alexandra; regards from the Netherlands.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you, and that's a good tip

[@waygoblue4729]

This has been my goal: I had an uncle who had an immaculate shop in which he installed a double sink with running water. He would use his tools and then wash them, dry them - like dishes - and then spray them with WD-40 and hang them back on a peg-board (he'd drawn an outline on the peg-board around each tool with a marker). He also nailed jar lids under wooden shelves; he would screw jars into them. In the jars were nails, screws, and other small items clearly visible.

[@dancoopergarden]

I love the jar idea, that’s genius. I have an outdoor sink that I use for rinsing my tools. Thank you for taking the time to share your story. Dan

[@waygoblue4729]

@@dancoopergarden Yes sir; thank YOU for the tips in this video! I want to try the sharpening stone. (Oh, and I may need to edit: he may have affixed the lids with a screw instead of a nail, but you get the idea.) Great video!

[@TimosGarden]

Thanks for this video! it gave me the motivation to clean my tools, now they look nice again and are well sharpend :)

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Great to hear!

[@robintranchina6588]

I have needed this video for a long time! Thank you. 1:13

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@michaelbrett171]

Thank you Dan , Great tips.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@kimworkman2425]

Brilliant video. Very helpful and informative

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@kunalkishore2938]

Very informative ...thanks for posting it Madam..

[@gardeninggirl7300]

Good information and motivational as well. Going out to work on my tools now!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

It can be surprisingly satisfying

[@David-wh7rm]

I'm a big fan of the Niwaki Camellia Oil and for rust I use Jenolite Rust Remover, it's really effective. My tips on how to use the Jenolite are that I found white wine vinegar and a metal scourer wouldn't touch my rusted garden trowel. So to use Jenolite you need to shake it up, tip a small amount onto the rusted item, get a paint brush and coat it all over and work it into the item well. Don't let Jenolite dry so keep brushing it over and adding slightly more product as required, every 5 minutes or so, for 15-20 minutes. At this point wipe it off with a dry clean cloth and repeat until all the product is off the item. Finally get a clean dry metal scourer and go over the item and it'll be back to new, 100% of the rust was removed for me at this point. Final thing to do is coat it in Camellia Oil to prevent rust in the future.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you for the tip.

[@alisonbwise]

Very useful information! Many thanks 💚

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@barbkenas5663]

Great video!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@mkweber9615]

Thanks ~ really appreciate the lessons, except for the last one. You put a dialog box up while he was showing the last sharpening tool, completely blocking what it was and how to use it. Yes, I see it's in the links, but seeing it in action is the point of making videos, isn't it?

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I'm sorry about that, thank you for pointing it out.

[@titiaswildlifecottagegarden]

This video is amazing and I applaus you for the effort. This 👆 is what beginner gardeners like me (3d year this season) need to know. But I have never come across a video before where they talk about garden tool maintenance. Wonderful😃👏🏻 I made some mistakes with my garden tools, that are being discussed in the video. Putting tools outside under the covered porch over night while it rains for example😬 Since that one time with my secatears (?) I keep them clean after each use and sterilise them with alcohol wipes before and after pruning. And store them in our shed in a big bin with two separate opening lids. That will keep them nice and dry. I will give my other tools a nice clean and oil this weekend. (BTW, I bought a big cutting tool with long handles for cutting down my buddleja, I'm so impressed with this tool🤩)

[@dosso9958]

Thank you! So many great tips!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@wildberrygarden]

Very useful info, I had been meaning to research this. Thank you!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad to hear it

[@richardhigel5612]

Very good video and timely. Just a recommendation. On areas of metal where you can’t eliminate all the rust you can use a rust remover gel. However it is ACID so you would need to take the necessary safety precautions, but it is very thorough and you would be able to WD-40 it after the gel has been wiped off.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Good point, thank you

[@gardentours]

I should feel guilty as well. At least I don't leave them outside. But I will definitely follow his advice. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@pozzee2809]

I wish you had a link to amazon canada

[@grepora]

I use phosphoric acid to treat rust. Depending on the significance of rust, this will result in clean metal, grey metal, or black metal. To prevent rust, wipe the tools with a coat of floor paste wax. This will prevent moisture settling on unused areas and thus prevent rust..

[@gardenfairygodmother1893]

I left my hori hori knife out in the allotment for 2 weeks, put it down and could not find it anywhere! It was a lovely shade of rust by the time I did find it.(the same colour as the brick it was sitting on 🙁)

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I hope you got it back to working order!

[@kevinjamesparr552]

Wipe and rapseed oil them.On wood Linseed oil good coat and hang up over winter in dry shed

[@drawyrral]

I find that I am much more motivated to clean my tools if I have paid an obscene amount of money for them.

[@mariannechambers9588]

The information was helpful, however camera close ups of the maintenance techniques shown in video would have improved the overall experience for me.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you for the feedback

[@janmacdonald7973]

Rather than washing we teach folk to get a small piece of newspaper and wipe off mud and soil at the end of every session, before putting away. The screwed up bit of paper is thrown on the compost heap. No water is wasted 👍

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

That's a good tip

[@kevinjamesparr552]

Tools are my friends so I would never allow such as rust to come a hundred miles or year near them . Clean after use hang back in line to use when needed.Keep cutting edges sharp on oilstone

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Good point!

[@jocelynwade9458]

More closeups please.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you for the feedback

[@judiehernandez7344]

What happens when you use it in the garden with wd40? Does the oil get into the soil?

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I think you can wipe it clean, and it would be a good idea to do so.

[@jeanettekruger9007]

Sorry, but the camera work is awful, not enough info on sharpening, and need lots more close ups!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you for the feedback