It may seem fussy, but wiping your pruning blade with a full-strength household cleaner (such as Pine-Sol or Lysol) between cutting each piece of plant matter will help to prevent the spread of infection. It’s especially important to clean your tools if they have been in contact with setting agents such as concrete that will dull the edge of spades and blades if left to harden.
Additionally, when cutting through the cells on your plant with something like a pair of secateurs, a sharp blade will cause less cell damage and won’t crush as many cells as a blunt blade. This will help the plant heal faster, which lessens the risk of infection setting in from fungi or the weather.
Don’t delay if you’ve been using the tool for any setting or drying agents such as cement, sealant or paint. If your tool has any setting agents on it then it will need to be cleaned quickly before these have a chance to dry. After using the brush to get the dirt off, rinse in running water and leave to dry. This can take as long as overnight if the tool has complicated surfaces which retain moisture. Afterwards you can wipe a light coating of mineral or motor oil over your tools.
Remove them from the solution and wipe down with paper towel to dry them, then clean the rust off with steel wool. Or you can rub away the rust with a brush. [8] X Expert Source Jon RowlandPlant Specialist Expert Interview. 7 September 2021. Heavily rusted blades may need a second soaking after the first layer of rust comes off. After removing the rust, you can wash the tool with soap and clean water for sanitization. Hang the tools up so that they can dry out. [9] X Expert Source Jon RowlandPlant Specialist Expert Interview. 7 September 2021.
Citric acid is available in small quantities in the grocery or winemaking store or try your local agricultural store as it’s used by pig keepers (and may be cheaper to buy in quantity there). Avoid this method if you are cleaning parts such as brakes or engine blocks as they can become brittle in the citric acid solution.
Soak your tools in it, then rub them clean with a rag or wire wool to remove rust. You can also try using some scrunched aluminum cooking foil and a little water to take the rust off.
You are advised to wear protective gloves, eye wear and a face mask while doing this. It’s also a good idea to make sure your tetanus vaccination is still providing protection.
If you are using a whetstone, start by wetting it thoroughly. You can use mineral/motor oil if you prefer instead of water. Without pressing especially hard, stroke the whetstone in one direction along the side of the edge. Replenish either oil or water as required if the stone surface dries out. You might like to switch to a finer grade of whetstone finish to get a final precision edge.
