![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxO8LzU1Y0agxX3E9ZBBAVwHxZW2NkA3zfx-3_nmyUz6j79yaw-OS4wmru4mtyRwhxxCEZ8KQbF1iAb822Q9pkCYlHLspPwzqytA-WFYh_u9tPY4UoUMIIP7OdFXgRNY1ykbk0/s400/manyshovels.jpg)
When I pulled out some of our shovels and spades the other day to illustrate
this post, I was horrified to see that most of them had been put away dirty, smeared with mud or caked on soil. How embarrassing--- please don't tell!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdm6kpZCVb6-Y2Gtfvu3XS5g-jvxpzemXkaV4_ZS8_MzskVJC5VPYOvU61-YmD5Zl4xtbwp1jhpkKgqPXZ2qh7FXgrkP1aIBmB0IK5Uhti92ebYNG6iC_yLuHPTTzdFzOE7RD/s400/cleanup.jpg)
As soon as our photo shoot was completed (my model was in a hurry to get back to the job) I grabbed a rag, some steel wool, and mineral spirits. After wiping off the worst of the grime, I scrubbed off the blade and shaft with with steel wool, hoping to remove any bits of rust. This particular shovel had been recently sharpened, so I didn't need to take the file to it, but a few of the others got a quick once-over.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GZEvGKwiDFoZxif2fNkIZqok5DZFnOcw3u1vdcOOmOUSr7Sxc-1Luw8M7K5xTFkYUveyEJdwhDeMgCn9YfqGgx9YinSiRTCPd04SCgwtDdGDtkJDJtxSAkp82iK9SFTO5iA0/s400/oiled2.jpg)
Next came a thorough wipe-down with mineral oil to both the metal areas and the wood handles. Whew! I feel so much better knowing that our tools are now in good shape while they "rest up" for gardening season.
2 comments:
i can tell when you take photos with your good camera.
who knew that gate would be the perfect back drop?
i need to put the handle back on my snow shovel...
Re that snow shovel: good idea---I think winter is here to stay!
Glad you like the photos!
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