Cleaning A Garden Shovel

Q: I have a garden shovel that I would like to clean. It has some dirt caked on it and a
little rust around the edge. 

A: My favorite shovel cleaner is a wire brush. When the rust and dirt have been removed, think about using a file to sharpen the shovel edge. You’ll be amazed how much easier digging can be with a sharp shovel. If your shovel has a wooden handle also consider painting it with linseed oil. This protects the wood from deterioration if you sometimes leave the tool outdoors in the rain. For rust prevention, the same linseed oil brushed on the metal will do the job.