This Easy Trick Removes Rust From Your Gardening Tools

Even if you're the type who takes great care of all your tools and ensures they're properly put back in their spot after every use, there's a chance you may find yourself with some rusted gardening tools at some point. Perhaps you left them outside during an impromptu rain storm, or perhaps you just figured the metal was virtually indestructible and just allowed them to hang out in your yard. Regardless, you certainly don't need to rush to the store to buy a whole new set of tools — there's a very easy trick that removes rust from gardening tools like a charm, and you can purchase the necessary ingredients at just about any supermarket or grocery store.

While this trick may take many hours to complete, you're not actively engaging in repairing the tool the vast majority of the time. In fact, you're mostly letting this little tip do all the work. Plus, the process inexpensive, and you might just end up saving some pricy tools.

Here's how to clean your gardening tools with nothing but your favorite soda.

To help battle any pesky rust that has coated your favorite gardening tools, all you need is some Coca-Cola (via Hunker). That's right — the fizzy brown soft drink that has been a favorite for decades can refresh both you and your tools. The reasoning is simple — Coke has phosphoric acid, which is an ingredient that can react with the iron oxide found in rust and help remove it, according to Hunker. Commercial cleaners actually contain the same ingredient, although in much higher concentrations (which is why the soda is safe to drink).

The process, however, does take a bit of time. Since the phosphoric acid concentration in the drink is far lower than in actual cleaning solutions, you need to give it a bit more time to do its work, the site notes. But all you need to do is fill a container with Coca-Cola, place in your rusted tool, and allow it to soak for a full 24 hours. 

If you're trying to remove rust from a bigger tool that you can't quite submerge in a container, you can also soak a sponge or other cloth in Coke and cover the item as best you can, scrubbing after it has been soaking for a while. You'll need a bit of elbow grease to scrub off that rust, and you might need to repeat the process a few times if the tool you're tackling is particularly badly rusted, but all in all, this trick is super simple.