People are using Coca-Cola to clean their gardening tools — here's why it's not a great idea

You've been hard at work maintaining your yard all year round and while your shrubs and flowers are thriving, your gardening tools have become rusty and worn. Sound familiar?

When you see rust on your tools, it can feel like there's no saving them. But, like a withered plant that just needs a little love, that's all your tools need too.

And while there are ways to spring clean your gardening tools, a recent trend suggests using an unusual item that you may already have in your home will make your tools good as new – Coca-Cola.

Coca-Cola has long been known to tackle rust and if you didn't clean a rusty cent when you were younger, then you really missed out...

So, while using this fizzy beverage to clean up your gardening tools isn't an entirely new concept and one we've actually suggested ourselves in our 5 ways to get rid of rust stains guide, is it actually a good idea? I asked a garden expert.

Why rust on your gardening tools is a real problem

Jonathan Davis is a grass expert at Lawnsmith specializing in grass care and general lawn maintenance. So, it's safe to say he knows a thing or two about looking after yards.

And when it comes to rust, Jonathan explains it can be a real problem: "Rust can be the nemesis of gardeners. It dulls blades and breaks down moving parts, putting your plants and grass at risk of fungal diseases."

And, at the end of the day, with rust as your garden nemesis, there's plenty of ways it can affect your gardening tools: "Plant sap, rain, wet soil and damp, humid sheds can cause problems, allowing the steel and iron materials to react with oxygen and moisture to create rust."

Is using Coca-Cola to clean your gardening tools a good idea?

When I asked Jonathan about using Coca-Cola as a rust remover for gardening tools, he said: "I can see the appeal of using something as simple and accessible as Coca-Cola to remedy rusted tools."

But, why is Coca-Cola useful? Jonathan explains: "The acidity of Coke can help break down grime. Phosphoric acid is the key ingredient which reacts with rust and supposedly makes it easier to scrub off."

While Jonathan can easily reveal the reasons why Coca-Cola is being used to clean gardening tools, there's one issue that Jonathan says would stop him from using Coca-Cola at all.

And he urges others to do the same: "The issue with a DIY approach to rust removal, compared to a specialist product, is that you don't know the impact the acid will have on your tools. It could corrode deeper than the layer of rust and damage the tool itself."

"It's also a messier and stickier solution compared to the non-drip products that usually treat rust. Most specialist products also contain other ingredients that protect the metal and prevent future rusting."

So, while it sounds like a quick fix, it could actually end up impacting your tools again and again, which will end up as quite a costly practice given the price of Coca-Cola these days.

Jonathan adds: "My advice would be to stick to designated products. They might seem expensive in comparison to a soft drink, but it's one way to ensure your tools are protected for longer."

Other ways to protect your gardening tools from rust

While Coca-Cola isn't the best idea, there's plenty of other practices you can put in place in your yard to get rid of rust or prevent it from becoming a problem in the first place.

It starts with cleaning your tools after every use and making sure they're dried thoroughly. Jonathan advises: "Ensure any sap, cuttings and soil is cleaned off and store them sensibly. Ideally, hang tools up indoors or in a shed so they're not touching the floor. Smaller tools can be stored in a bucket of sand to keep them protected."

WD-40 Multi-Use Spray: was $16 now $14 at Amazon

WD-40 is one of the ultimate designated products for getting rid of rust. The formula penetrates the rust and makes it easy to break off while also displacing moisture protecting your gardening tools from rust returning. It's simple enough and right now you can save a couple of dollars, too.

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And instead of using Coca-Cola, there's a simple everyday solution that is tried-and-tested by Jonathan: "Oils like WD-40 can prevent rusting and it's worth applying after you've wiped down your tools.

"It's much easier to prevent rust than to treat it after it's already formed, and it's a simple approach to ensure you can continue to care for your garden efficiently."

So, while you could use Coca-Cola to get rid of the rust, if you're looking for a long-term, less sticky, and over time less expensive solution, Jonathan says stick to the designated products.

More from Tom's Guide

• This expert hack easily removes rust from your garden tools — and it costs less than $1
• 7 clever ways to store garden tools and save space
• I tried this $23 garden tool to rid my patio of weeds — and it's super handy