Removing Dirt From Your Gardening Tools With WD-40® Multi-Use Product

This post was sponsored by WD-40_® Company, although the content, ideas and presentation is my own. Most of us are familiar with WD-40_® Brand, especially those of us with car mechanics or other fixer-uppers around the home. When in need of loosening up tight bolts, for example, you're sure to pick up the handy can of WD-40_® Multi-Use Product stored away in the garage. Of course, this life-saving product has many other uses too, but did you know that one of those includes the garden? I must admit, I hadn't ever given this much thought until I received the WD-40_® Multi-Use Product in the 2.75-oz can to try out for myself. Upon opening the package and pulling out this "mini-me" spray can, I was perplexed. It was almost too cute - sappy, I know. The first thing that came to my mind was how easy this little can would fit into a tool pouch, garden tote or even my back pocket; I mean you never know when you might need it. WD-40_® Brand products are well known for their ability to protect metal surfaces from moisture and rust with corrosion-resistant ingredients. And, as previously stated, it works wonders when it comes to lubing something up. So how does it hold up in the garden? First of all, it's no surprise that gardeners deal with dirt and grime. After all, gardening wouldn't be fun without getting your hands dirty, but that's not all that gets dirty. Our tools do too. While not all of us are diligent when it comes to removing dirt from our tools, and that includes me, it's normally recommended that these be spiffed up and stored after each use to prevent rust and other issues down the road. There are many products available to remove dirt from tools, but since the WD-40_® Multi-Use Product in the 2.75-oz can is so convenient and was given to me to try out, that's what I used. I decided to try it out on my hand trowel that I just used days ago. Needless to say it was pretty grungy.

When removing dirt and grime from garden tools, you should always use a coarse metal wire brush, like one used for cleaning grills, to scrape off dirt and debris beforehand. Ok, check. Next, wipe it down with a dry rag and then spray a small amount of the WD-40_® Multi-Use Product onto the metal parts of the tool, followed by a quick wipe down with another clean rag. Voilà! That's it. Couldn't be any easier. And now my dirty trowel is all shiny once again, ready for a new day of digging in the garden. Of course, trowels aren't the only tools that the mini WD-40_® Multi-Use Product can tackle. You have shovels, rakes and pruners too. In fact, if you take your hand pruners apart every now and then and gently rub down all the parts, including screws and bolts, with WD-40_® Multi-Use Products, it will help keep them from gumming up - those moving parts need to be lubricated -and in tip-top shape for pruning your garden plants. Good tools aren't cheap, but if you treat them well and clean them often, they'll last for years. WD-40 is available at retailers across the country, including Walmart. To find a store near you, visit WD-40 and click on the 'Shop' link.