Choosing a New Design for Your Home and Garden

A good quality garden spade can be expensive to buy, so it makes sense to care for it properly.  This not only prolongs the life of the tool but will also make it easier to use and much more effective.  Here's how to clean and maintain your garden spade.

What you'll need

• washing-up liquid
• sponge
• rags and old towels
• steel wool
• wire brush
• fine-grain sandpaper
• metal file
• lubricating oil
• gloves
• eye protection
• dust mask

How to do it

1. First of all, give the spade a really good scrub using a solution of warm water and washing-up liquid to get rid of any dried mud and other dirt.  Dry the spade with an old towel and leave it somewhere sheltered to dry overnight.  
2. Your next job is to remove any rust that has formed on the metal parts of the spade.  Use the wire brush and steel wool to rub away the patches of rust, but try to avoid too much vigorous scraping and grinding as this can make the tool weaker and thinner over time.  Remember to put on your eye protection, gloves and a dust mask before you begin working.  
3. Now, use a piece of sandpaper to go over the metal parts of the spade to remove any remaining rust and polish-up the metal.  
4. If your spade has a wooden handle, rub it down with a piece of sandpaper in order to get rid of any splinters.  
5. Next, wipe down the spade with a damp rag to get rid of any metal or wood sanding dust.  
6. A spade won't work efficiently if it has a dull, nicked edge, so your next task is to sharpen it.  Use the metal file in smooth, even strokes to remove any burrs or chips from the spade's cutting edge.  Always work away from your body, and don't remove too much of the metal – you just want a nice, smooth edge.  
7. Now, take the lubricating oil and use a rag to apply it to the spade's handle and to the blade.  Rub the oil well into the surfaces and wipe off any excess. Oiling your spade will both help to prevent it from rusting and condition the wood to make it water-repellent.

Aftercare

When it comes to looking after your garden equipment, prevention is better than cure.  After each use, rinse away any clinging mud and earth to prevent rust from forming.  Wipe the spade dry with a rag and leave it to dry thoroughly in the sun. 

To protect the blade from damage, always hang your spade up when it's not in use, rather than standing it on its edge.  Alternatively, you could stand it in a sand bucket to help keep the edge clean and sharp.

Every now and then, wipe the spade over with a light coating of lubricating oil to keep it protected.