How to Clean Tools? Full Guide 2023

Here is everything you need to know on how to clean tools to ensure that your tools continue to serve you well without losing their shine.

It goes without saying that tools get dirty. Whether they are hand tools, power tools, or particularly gardening tools, your tools will inevitably accumulate dirt, grime, soot, rust, and even oil.

To ensure that your tools last and are in good condition for any job you have in mind, it is crucial to maintain them and keep them clean. Get the most out of your tools by following the straightforward advice below.

How to Clean Tools?

Here is a guide to cleaning your tools both ways so they stay in the best condition possible.

Simple Cleaning Method

It’s simple to clean your tools after each use with a product like Klein’s Multi-Purpose Cleaner-Degreaser. The specifically designed solvent is made for maintenance cleaning of grime, grease, lubricating fluids, silicone, tars, adhesives, and fluxes.

It’s a great solvent to use on tools with plastic grips, like the pliers in our Journeyman Series, because it’s safe for use on the majority of plastics. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Multi-Purpose Cleaner-Degreaser
• Cloth rag

Spray a little of the all-purpose cleaner onto the tool and wipe away extra grime and dirt with the cloth rag. Effective results can be achieved with little effort. In essence nonconductive, non-corrosive, and non-staining, Klein’s Multi-Purpose Cleaner evaporates without leaving residue, so you don’t have to be concerned about damaging your cleaning tools.

Advanced Cleaning Method

You shouldn’t ever have to worry about a larger, more intensive cleaning process like the second method requires if you clean your tools with Klein’s Multi-Purpose Cleaner after each use. However, if you have older tools that you haven’t used in a while, ones that you inherited, or tools that you just couldn’t resist buying at garage sales or flea markets, you might need to give them a more thorough wash. To clean really dirty and rusty tools, here’s what you’ll need:

• Wire scrub brush
• Steel wool
• Klein Multi-Purpose Cleaner-Degreaser
• Commercial Cleaner (Ajax, Pinesol)
• Bucket
• Hot water
• Cloth rags

Types of Tools You May Need to Clean

Tools can accumulate a lot of grease, dirt, and grime, especially over time and after regular use. Here are the most typical items you should clean frequently to prevent dust or grease buildup. With Dawn® Platinum, it’s so easy to give your tools the care they need to stay protected. The more grease your tools accumulate, the more prone they are to rust and damage.

Power Tools

Even while being stored, dust can settle on your power tools, causing them to accumulate more dirt. Even though a thorough wipe down might not seem like much, it is very helpful, especially when it comes to preventing rust.

Power tools can include:

• Drills
• Staple guns
• Saws

Since they frequently run on electricity or batteries, they cannot be submerged in liquid. Since many parts can’t be soaked, degreasing power tools calls for extra caution.

Instead, combine hot water and dish soap, such as Dawn Platinum, and scrub the surface of your power tool with a steel wool brush. Make sure to put on thick gloves and unplug your tool from any power sources, such as electric outlets or battery motors. Use a toothbrush to scrub any grime away from hard-to-reach areas. When cleaning any power tool, stay away from the motor casing and electrical wiring. After finishing, use a dry towel to wipe the entire tool to make sure all moisture has been eliminated.

Handheld Workshop Tools

Hand tools are typically used more frequently than power tools and are prone to a variety of grime, including grease and oil. particularly all of the equipment you use in your garage to work on a car or a lawnmower.

Common handheld tools include:

• Hammer
• Pliers
• Wrenches
• Chisels

Your handheld tools can avoid rusting and stay in good condition with routine cleaning. It’s important to avoid soaking your hand tools; instead, wipe them down with a damp cloth to remove grease, oil, and dirt.

Do your garage’s storage and cabinets have grease or grime built up? You can maintain neat tool storage, which is crucial for keeping your tools in top condition. As a result, you can plant the family’s tomato garden or construct a treehouse with confidence.

Gardening Tools

Gardening tools go hand in hand with dirt and soil. Your gardening tools might benefit from a good soak when it comes to cleaning. Even better, use Dawn Platinum to treat any stains on your gardening gloves before washing them.

Gardening tools that may need cleaning include:

• Pruning tools
• Shovels
• Garden pots
• Gardening gloves

Any plant can be planted and maintained with the proper gardening tools, and most gardeners are aware of how crucial it is to keep those tools clean and free of soil.

After each use, you should clean your gardening tools to get rid of soil, and after the growing season is over, give them a good soak. Use your hose to quickly remove any caked-on dirt in order to remove soil. When you’re ready to clean your tools even more and get rid of any leftover dirt, add a little bit of Dawn Platinum to a bucket of hot water. This potent cleaner can help break up tough messes so that you don’t have to scrub as hard.

Then, just give your tools a quick rinse in cool water before drying them with a soft cloth. In order to maintain a stunning garden where you can showcase your green thumb skills, keep your tools in a dry place between growing seasons and keep using these cleaning suggestions.

Related Post: How To Clean My Garden Tools?

Fireplace Tools

The outside of your fireplace and your fireplace tools may be covered in ashes and burn marks. By regularly wiping them down, you can keep them from becoming a gray and black eyesore by your fireplace and keep them looking like new.

Typical fireplace tools may include:

• Poker
• Spade
• Tongs
• Grate
• Log rack

Final Words on Cleaning Tools

Tools can become cherished collectors’ items in addition to being useful for repairing small household problems or creating brand-new things. It’s best to keep them as clean as you can so they continue to function properly for many years to come in both situations.

You’re likely to encounter tough rust spots when cleaning old tools. Iron and steel that are exposed to oxygen and moisture oxidize over time. The orange and brownish speckling that covers your tools serves as visual proof of this chemical reaction. Tools that are rusted are frequently inefficient and difficult to use.

Read More: How To Clean Rust Off Tools?

FAQs