Why You Should Use WD-40 Before Giving Your Yard's Bushes A Trim

If you love to do your own landscaping, then chances are you're a pro at trimming bushes. Your hand doesn't wobble, and you create either razor-sharp hedges or perfectly rounded shrubs, increasing your curb appeal. It's satisfying work, but it also demands frequent upkeep. Because of that, your trimmer probably sees a lot of use over the seasons. While those handy machines can last for years, if not decades, they need a little TLC between trims in order to keep them running smoothly. Because of that, make sure to lubricate them with WD-40 before you begin cutting down leaves and branches. 

WD-40 is a handy helper around the garden. Not only will it keep your garden hose corrosion-free, but it'll also keep slugs and snails out of plant pots. It's a handy spray to store in your garden shed since you'll find loads of uses for it while performing yard work, ensuring you use up the bottle before the season is up. And now you can add yet another task to its roster: It lubes your electric trimmer. Here's why that's important. 

Believe it or not, you should lubricate your trimmer before and after every use, no matter how often you use it. Doing so has several benefits. First, it prolongs the life of your trimmer. Not only will it run in tip-top shape, but it'll also stop rust from settling in. As it cuts through branches and leaves, your trimmer encounters moisture, which can lead the steel to oxidize and eventually turn into rust. Since WD-40 is made to displace water, it'll ensure that corrosion never happens.

Your trimmer also goes through a fair amount of abuse as it's cutting, and it can eventually get gummed up with sap and debris. This can subsequently dull the blades and make the motor work harder, which will wear out your tool faster. By lubricating the trimmer before and after each use, you're guaranteeing that doesn't happen.

To apply WD-40, make sure the trimmer is unplugged or removed from the battery. This ensures it doesn't accidentally turn on when you're lubricating it. Then, simply grab your can of WD-40 and liberally spray it down the blade. Once done, turn it back on and let the blades run for 10 seconds to help disperse it across the teeth. And that's all — you're ready to go!