Winter Garden Tool Storage: Cleaning and Maintenance Guide

Quality tools last years with proper winter care. Here's how to prepare them for off-season storage.

Cleaning Hand Tools

1. Scrape metal parts with coarse grill brush
2. Wipe with dry rag, then damp if needed
3. Sand away rust
4. Wipe with oiled rag (motor or vegetable oil)
5. Sand wooden handles, apply linseed oil

Store on racks—never on soil/concrete (causes handle rot).

Power Equipment & Hoses

• Disconnect/drain hoses and sprinklers; patch holes; loop neatly to prevent kinks
• Run mower dry (old fuel degrades plastic/rubber, rusts metal)
• Remove, sharpen, oil blades
• Scrape/rinse grass buildup
• Disconnect battery and spark plugs

Proper winterizing ensures tools are ready for spring action.