Ashley Scott gives over a decade of experience in keeping tools rust-free using simple household items. Stop rust now!
Hello everyone! This is Ashley Scott from USA Garden Hub. As a gardener myself, a deep-seated love-hate relationship has developed between me and gardening tools over a decade; for example, a pair of old pruners and a rusty shovel found in my shed. While it may have seemed like a garden mystery at first, the reality is quite simple; these tools have been neglected for far too long. The upside is, DIY hacks to remove rust don’t need to be excruciatingly detailed nor should you shell out hundreds on expensive overpriced elixirs. More often than not, a clever ‘do it yourself’ concoction paired with a little consistency goes a long way. So let us explore together some simple yet effective methods to keep your tools rust free; ones that work even in a damp shed.
Why Rust is Your Tool’s Worst Enemy
Rust essentially starts eating away your metal tools the moment they come in contact with moisture, oxygen and iron. It weakens their structure and makes movement and cutting extremely difficult. Strangely enough, the reason a lot of people choose to store tools in an unheated shed is because they assume humidity will aid longevity. You would be surprised to learn how much money you end up spending on discarded tools because most people don’t realize there are simple methods to combat rust. And of course, the best part is, most solutions use common household items.
Hack 1: Making Optimal Use of Dry Storage (Your First Line of Defense)
This safeguarding step, while simple, is often neglected. The best way to store tools and equipment is to keep moisture and humidity at bay. In hot and humid climates, tools stored in drafty sheds require more than a touch of polish to stay rust-free. Moisture can be removed, but only if tools are wiped down thoroughly. But adherence to procedures comes with its own challenges.
What I Do: To combat this, I place an old towel next to my shed door that I designate exclusively as a dry rag. Old towels make the best rags for a thorough shine up. Prior to storing any tools for the out shed, I perform a meticulous scrub in areas such as joints and hinges that otherwise go unnoticed. The thoroughness of this polish ensures no stagnant water is left.
Level Up Your Shed Game: Storing tools on the floor is a bad idea. Concrete floors, like damp environments, attract moisture. If storing tools off the ground is unavoidable, place pallets or rubber mats beneath them. Using pegboards and walls for hanging tools is a far more effective strategy. For further improvement, invest in small dehumidifiers or things like silica gel packs (those little packets that come in boxes from shoes). Toss a few into your tool bucket for optimum performance. Everything mentioned focuses on air circulation and dryness. (Internal Link: For more simple tips on shed organization check out my posts: USA Garden Hub Shed Organization).
The Golden Rule: Wet or damp tools should never be stored away. To rephrase – a tool needs to be air-dried completely before being wiped down to achive optimal storage conditions.
Hack 2: The Humble Oil Rag – Your Rust Prevention Superhero
This is probably the easiest and best way to prevent rust. Oil acts as a protective layer for the metal surface, cutting off access to moisture and air. For everyday use, forget about fancy (and often smelly) sprays.
- Picking Your Champion Oil: What’s the best oil to keep tools from rusting? Look no further!
- Mineral Oil: For most tools, this is my go-to pick. Best for food garden tools, it is inexpensive, does not spoil like vegetable oils, and can be found at pharmacies. (External Resource: Learn about mineral oil properties from the National Park Service: NPS Conserve O Gram).
- Boiled Linseed Oil (BLO): Great for wooden handles and metal. It dries harder than mineral oil. Make sure to use the boiled version, as it dries faster, and has Oily Rag Disposal Warning – these can spontaneously combust! Dry thoroughly before storing. (External Resource: Safety info on linseed oil rags from Fine Woodworking: Fine Woodworking Linseed Oil Safety).
- 3-in-1 Oil or Machine Oil: These are classic picks, and they do the job. Just don’t use anything too sticky or thick that attracts dirt.
- The Simple Process: Maintain a small, pristine rag made of cotton t-shirt material soaked in oil of your choice. Store it in a sealed jar or ziplock. After cleaning and thoroughly drying the tool (Refer to Hack #1!), give it a quick wipe with the oily rag ensuring all metal surfaces are covered. That’s all! As needed, re-oil the rag. This is my absolute number one homemade hack to ensure tools do not rust.
Hack 3: Baking Soda Power – For Cleaning & Mild Rust Rescue
Maybe, you have tried even the hardest, but still found the beginning of the rust or simply stubborn dirt that holds moisture. In this case baking soda comes in – it is cheap, non-toxic, and efficient!
- The Cleaning Paste: Form a thick paste with baking soda and water. Apply it to the metal of the tool with an old toothbrush or scouring pad (do not use steel wool as it may damage the finish). The paste is like a magnet which picks up grime and neutralizes the acids which are the main factors of rust formation. Rinse extensively and dry immediately and thoroughly. This is a brilliant hacks to keep tools rust free baking soda solution for regular maintenance.
- Mild Rust Removal: For minor surface rust, the baking soda paste is usually enough to get it off. Spread it, leave it on for 15-30 minutes, rub, rinse, and dry fully. Immediately after, use your oil rag (Hack #2!). If it is a stubborn rust, a cleaning agent such as a dedicated rust removal tool together with a brass brush (softer than steel and less scratch) or a commercial rust dissolver will be necessary – however, baking soda is the first line of defense against rust. (The science behind baking soda and rust from ACS Publications: ACS Reactions – Rust – Explains the chemistry)
Hack 4: Win Against The Shed Humidity – Silica Gel & More
If your shed is damp then your tools have no chance. Here is a way to make them a bit better:
- Silica Gel Packets: Get those little “Do Not Eat” packs! Put handfuls in containers that are open around your storage place, inside boxes that hold tools, or even if it’s allowed, hang them near tools. They are very active in absorbing the moisture from the air. Also, be sure to get the bulk pack of silica gel beads and reheat them in the oven when the beads are full of moisture. (Using desiccants effectively from the University of Georgia Extension: UGA Extension – Controlling Humidity)
- Charcoal Briquettes: Great effectiveness is achievable here! Put some charcoal briquettes that are not used in a breathable container (for instance, if it is a mesh bag or a tin, make sure to have some holes). Charcoal gets rid of moisture and food smells.
- Ventilation: Open a window if you can do it (even if it is just a little). The most important thing is the airflow. Make sure that the vents are not covered by anything.
Hack 5: Seasonal Deep Clean & Protect (The Big Guns)
In particular, be sure to give your tools a thorough comfort-winter-hug (or for a long period of raining) before you put away them. This is like a rust prevention power-pack of several hacks combined.
- Deep Clean: Get rid of all the dirt and dust by scrubbing. You can utilize either baking soda paste (Hack #3) or hot soapy water. Don’t forget to clean in the corners! Rinse very well.
- Dry Like Crazy: Besides air drying totally, also use a hairdryer on a cool setting or wipe carefully with a dry rag to get rid of all the moisture. This step is absolutely essential.
- Sharpen: The one with a smooth edge is more resistant to corrosion than the one with pitted, damaged. Learn the exact methods of sharpening the pruners, hoes, and shovels! My guide to sharpening garden tools: USA Garden Hub Tool Sharpening
- Heavy-Duty Oil Application: Give all metal surfaces a generous wipe-down with your chosen oil (Mineral Oil or BLO – Hack #2). For long-term storage, you might consider a dedicated best rust inhibitor for tools like a rust prevention spray (e.g., WD-40 Specialist Long Term Corrosion Inhibitor or Boeshield T-9). These dry to a waxy film. Consumer Reports overview on rust preventatives: Consumer Reports – Rust Prevention – Focuses on cars but principles apply to tools.
- Store Smart: Hang tools or store them handle-down in a bucket of sand mixed with a quart of motor oil (a classic old-school method – the sand cleans, the oil coats as you plunge). Ensure they are in your dry storage area (Hack #1 & #4!).
What About Tools That Are Already Rusty?
These hacks to keep tools rust free are mainly preventative. For tools with significant rust:
- Remove the Rust: Use more potent methods like vinegar soaks, commercial rust removers, electrolysis (for the brave!), or mechanical removal with wire wheels/sandpaper. Safety first – wear gloves and eye protection!
- Repair if Possible: Sometimes rust pits too deep, but often tools can be saved.
- Immediately Protect: After cleaning, drying, and the exposure of bare metal, you have to oil or protect it right away (returning to Hack #2!) or it will flash-rust so fast that it will be unbelievable. A rust prevention spray that is marketed as a rust converter (for example, Loctite Extend or Corroseal) can come in handy as it turns rust into a stable, paintable surface. NACE International on rust conversion: NACE – Rust Converters) – Technical but authoritative.
The Bottom Line: Consistency is Key
The absolute best hack to keep tools rust free is not a single trick; it is incorporating these simple steps into your routine. Clean them after use. Dry them completely. Give them a quick wipe with that trusty oil rag. Store them smartly in a dry space. Do a seasonal deep clean. It only takes seconds after each use, but it saves you hours of frustration and money replacing ruined tools.
Honestly, once these hacks to keep tools rust free diy methods become a habit, you will be really surprised how long your favorite shovel, pruners, or trowel will stay looking good and working smoothly season after season. Now go give those tools some love – they deserve it!
