Cleaning techniques

Claire.Bee

Hold my hands up I have been a bit complacent when it comes to cleaning my garden tools and now I am struggling to get the build up of dirt, grime, sap etc off tools like secateurs and loppers. Any recommendations as to the best way to clean them. Is there anything people soak them in to soften the build up before trying to scrub it off.

Fire

A vinegar soak can be good to get off rust. For the rest, a brief soak in washing up liquid and water should be fine to loosen - then a stiff brush. Dry and oil.

Fairygirl

Definitely easier to wipe as you go along, but a short soak in anything should loosen dirt. I generally use WD40 on any moving parts. 
If you're pruning anything that has diseased stems/branches, it's important to clean the tools before using on anything else, so that there's no danger of passing it on to any other plant.  

B3

I knock mine against the wall.

Fairygirl

You can also stick them in a container of sand with oil in it to keep them clean after use. You just have to keep any handles out of the way. It's a good method for spades. 

A scrape with an old knife would loosen any major dirt on loppers etc too, then a wipe and clean. 

steephill

Steel wool and soapy water. Then sharpen and oil so they are ready for use next time.

Fire

Then sharpen and oil so they are ready for use next time.

Do you do this @steephill ? Very impressive.

I have come to the conclusion that it's safer for my fingers to have slightly dull tools.

8507mkiernanaHKV_Z8R

try soaking in white spirit, it's really cool for tar/bitumen so it might help.

cmarkr

Creanmate and camelia oil for secateurs. WD40 will help with degreasing tools but avoid getting it in to joints as it will degrease those too leaving them unlubricated once the light WD40 fractions have evaporated.

Hostafan1

I must be a filthy slut. 
I've never "cleaned" any of my tools in almost 50 years of gardening

Fairygirl

You're right @cmarkr - I should have made it clearer that I only use the WD on the blades. I also like a bit of 3 in 1 oil in at the joints. Not on myself - just the tools...
I've not heard of camelia oil. Is that easily obtainable? 
I have to say, I'm not someone who regularly 'cleans' secateurs etc though. It's only if I've been using them excessively - mainly if I'm having a large clear out of something and/or a long pruning session. Most of the time they get wiped on my trousers and put back in the gardening trug.  The little snips get used most, for deadheading, because the secateurs are often a bit too hefty for finer stems. 
Thinking about it - I'm probably not much better than you @Hostafan1