How to Clean Rust Off Your Tools (and Prevent It From Coming Back)

You can either get rusty tools for a great price at a yard sale or flea market, or you can inherit them from your parents or grandparents. One day, you might need a wrench, hammer, or garden trowel, and realize that it's time to get them back in working order.

There are several ways to do that, as well as ways to keep rust at bay. Here is what to know.

How to remove rust from tools

Some of the ways to remove rust require more elbow grease than others. It depends on how much rust your tools have accumulated. There are some options.

Wash and sand

First, wash the tools in a tub of warm water with dish soap, making sure to wipe away any grease and dirt. The tools should be washed and dried. Depending on the extent of the rust, use a wire brush, steel wool, or a cloth to remove as much of it as possible.