Make All Your Garden Tools Sparkle Using An Affordable Kitchen Essential

If our garden tools could talk, they'd definitely ask us to retire them or give them the beauty treatment they deserve. Getting constantly exposed to dirt, moisture, and friction almost every day of the week can cause tools to develop scratches, dull finishes, and even rust, especially on their metal components. Cleaning them with water or wiping them down with a towel would only remove visible dirt. If you want to improve their appearance and longevity, there's a simple solution that's hiding right in your kitchen — vegetable oil.

Shining your garden tools with vegetable oil is one of the several genius ways to use the kitchen essential without cooking involved. A light application of oil — whether canola, olive, or sunflower — can make your garden tools sparkle and shine like new. Additionally, it forms a natural barrier that will protect both the metal and wood surfaces of your tools from rust and cracking. Now you might be wondering: Why use vegetable oil when petroleum-based oils have a good track record of shining cars and other metal surfaces? The answer lies in the fact that vegetable oil is biodegradable and safe for your soil in small amounts, so using it on your gardening tools won't be harmful to your plants.

To make the most out of this hack, include it in your deep cleaning routine for your garden tools. Insert this step once you are done cleaning and disinfecting your gardening tools. Before applying the vegetable oil, see to it that all caked-on mud, grime, sap, or rust flakes have been removed. Then, wipe each tool dry, ensuring there's no moisture left on their surfaces.

Pour only a small amount of vegetable oil onto a clean cloth or rag and wipe it down on all the metal parts of your tools, including the sides and undersides. A small amount is enough to create a thin and even coating on the metal surfaces to prevent rust. Don't oversaturate your garden tools with oil, as this can make them sticky and cause them to attract more dust and dirt.

Use this trick on all of your most essential gardening tools, including trowels, hand shovels, and pruning shears, among others. If your stash features wooden handles, don't forget to lightly rub oil onto them to hydrate the wood, make it shine, and prevent cracking. For tools with moving parts, like loppers and shears, apply oil onto their hinges and joints to lubricate and help keep them functioning smoothly. Do this after heavy use to rejuvenate your tools, or schedule it during fall or winter when you're not out gardening as much.