Heidi wrote in message ...
Hi,

Does anyone have any recommendations for cleaning pruning shears? After
I cut back much of my boitritis ridden JFK, I dipped my pruners into
straight bleach, wiped off the excess moisture, and left them in the
open position in my garage. The next day my pruners were entirely
rusted. I don't mind the aesthetics, however I doubt this was very good
for my pruners. Maybe it was all in my mind, but I immediately felt as
if they were not as sharp once they rusted.

Should I water down the bleach? Store the pruners inside ( I think the
humidity level in my garage is pretty high--I once tried to store my
gardening gloves in a zip lock bag--the next day they were covered with
mold!).


Bleach is bad news for metal; chlorine is a strong oxidizer. Use
denatured alcohol to disinfect them. Then spray them with WD-40,
silicone, or
some other lubricant/protector. Plain old neat's foot oil works well
too.


Turpentine is good for removing sap and plant gum from pruners.

Whatever you do, --don't-- spray them with oven cleaner as some people
suggest. It will seriously damage aluminum handles. Try spraying
some on aluminum foil and see what happens. (do it outdoors)


J. Del Col