Don’t put your rusty garden tools in the trash — this cheap pantry staple will bring them back to life

Rusty pruning shears — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Forget plant food and lawn seed, gardeners are being urged to call on an unusual pantry staple to get their yards ready for spring. In fact, Ali Lijee, garden expert at TreeMend, says late winter is the ideal time to prepare your tools for the new season before plants start to grow in earnest.

And although some gardeners in the U.S. are still faced with a yard full of snow and are more concerned with buying a snow shovel, the end of February and beginning of March mark a turn in daylight hours, and with that, the impetus to get outside and start gardening.

However, before you start clearing up weeds and pruning plants, Lijee recommends checking over the condition of your metal garden tools before setting to work. It’s the ideal time to clean your tools and get them in good working order before the growing season begins.

“By the time March rolls around, people want to be sowing seeds, planting borders and enjoying brighter afternoons,” he explains.

Ketchup — much more than a condiment

Bottle of ketchup surrounded by fresh tomatoes — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

According to Lijee, many gardeners overlook the condition of their metal items until they need them. “You go to grab your pruning shears or watering can on the first warm weekend and suddenly notice they are covered in rust or tarnish. At that point, you either struggle on with them or assume you need to replace them. In reality, you can often revive them with something as simple as tomato ketchup.”

Although it may sound far-fetched, there is solid reasoning behind it. The trusted ketchup that you pile on your fries contains mild acids, including acetic acid from vinegar and citric acid from tomatoes. These can help break down light rust and oxidation on metals such as steel, brass and copper.

“The acidity is what does the work,” Lijee says. “It gently loosens rust and tarnish without being as harsh as some chemical cleaners. For small patches and surface rust, it can be surprisingly effective.”

How to use ketchup to clean up rusty garden tools

It’s worth starting on smaller garden items that need a clean, such as rusty pruning shears and hand tools. Lijee says, “Apply a thin layer of ketchup directly onto the affected area. Leave it to sit for around fifteen minutes. That gives the acids time to react with the rust.”

You can then gently scrub the item with a soft brush or cloth. I always find a toothbrush comes in handy.

“You do not need to go at it aggressively. A gentle scrub is usually enough to lift the loosened rust. Then rinse thoroughly with water and dry the item completely. Drying is important, otherwise you are inviting new rust to form,” he advises.

He also recommends applying a light coat of oil to tools once they are clean and dry. “After removing rust, a thin layer of oil on metal tools can help protect them. Store them somewhere dry if possible. It sounds basic, but it makes a big difference over time.”

For the best result, use a mineral oil, such as linseed oil or Camellia oil, to protect your tools.

Cleaning brass and copper
You can follow a similar process to clean decorative garden items made of brass or copper. “Tarnish and oxidation on brass planters or copper ornaments can often be improved in the same way. Spread a light coating, wait, then buff it off. It can restore some of that original shine without the need for specialized polish.”

Aside from using ketchup to clean small metal objects, Lijee says soda can also help. “If you are cleaning something like a small spade head or screws, soaking them in a soda for a short period can help loosen rust. But again, rinse and dry thoroughly afterwards.”

Personally, I’d prefer to save my ketchup for my food, but if I don’t have any white vinegar to hand, it’s worth knowing that you can clean metal objects with this tomato-based condiment.

And Lijee also adds that there's no reason why you should need to buy new tools or heavy-duty cleaners, because, "in many cases, you can make do with what you already have at home.”

Taking the time to clean and maintain your tools will definitely save you from buying new ones.

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Camilla is the Homes Staff Writer and covers everything to do with homes and gardens. She has a wealth of editorial experience, mounting over 30 years, and covers news and features, tests products for reviews and compiles buying guides.

Her work has appeared in business and consumer titles, including Ideal Home, Real Homes, House Beautiful, Homebuilding & Renovation, and Kitchen & Bathroom Business. She’s even appeared on the cover of Your Home, writing about her own house renovation.

Although she’s obsessed with decorating her home, she also enjoys baking and trying out the latest kitchen appliances. But when she’s not inside, you’ll find her pottering about in her yard, tending to her vegetable patch or taking in her prized hydrangeas.

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Ketchup — much more than a condiment

How to use ketchup to clean up rusty garden tools

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