Garden Tool Care

by Chris Lambton

After a full season of keeping the yard looking beautiful, winter is a great time to get hard-working garden tools in shape for spring. How do you know which tools need maintenance? The answer is easy. Any tool that has nuts & bolts, screws, blades or chains will need some cleaning and sharpening. This includes, but isn't limited to, reel mowers, hedge shears, pruners, loppers, axes and more.

5 simple steps to clean and sharpen garden tools

Step 1

Clean

The first step in getting tools ready for the winter is to clean them thoroughly. All Fiskars tools have low-friction coating that helps prevent rust and buildup of sap or other substances. This coating makes cleaning a simple task. Soap and water will effectively clean the tools.

Step 2

Dry

Dry the tools carefully to prevent moisture build up which can cause tools to rust.

Step 3

Sharpen

It's now time to sharpen the blade. Fiskars products are made from hardened steel, which allows the blades to slice through materials all season long and stay sharper longer. Even so, sharpening blades at the end of each season will ensure the longevity of tools. Flat files are excellent for sharpening the blades on these Fiskars tools. Make sure when sharpening to do so at the same angle as the blade, and if there are any cuts or notches on the blade, take extra care to file those out as well.

Step 4

Oil

Use WD40, machine oil, or grease to wipe down or spray all the joints and blades. This seals the blades during the winter and adds another protection against rust. Be sure to refer to the manual for each tool to check which parts need oiling.

Step 5

Tighten

Finally, make sure all tool bolts and screws are tight.

Always remember to store the tools in a cool, dry place. They will be waiting come spring and will be ready to tackle all that the winter has thrown at your yard!