Gardening tools are meant to get dirty, but that doesn’t mean you need to be burdened with scrubbing caked-on mud and dirt off of them each time you use them. If you find yourself in this scenario more often than not, then start incorporating olive oil into your gardening routine. Not only will it help keep pests out of the garden, but this pantry staple can be used to slick the stainless steel or plastic of shovels, hoes, spades, and anything else that makes contact with the dirt. By greasing them with the oil, you’re creating a slippery barrier between the tool and the soil. This makes the dirt less likely to stick and also makes the tools easier to clean afterward.
It’s a great gardening hack to try since you most likely already have some olive oil on hand in your kitchen. The next time you plan to get messy in your flower bed or vegetable patch, grab your glass bottle and make cleanup less stressful. Here’s how to prep your garden tools with olive oil before you use them.
How to use olive oil on your garden tools
You don’t need to use this hack each time you go gardening — doing it a couple of times per season is enough to lubricate and treat the tools. The trick is to apply a thin coating onto the blades and surfaces rather than slathering them with a heavy amount. You only need enough to slick the surfaces. Apply the oil with a cotton ball, give it a second to soak in, and then wipe the excess with a paper towel or rag. Since olive oil is made from organic ingredients that will eventually break down, wiping the tool clean ensures the oil won’t go rancid. This is especially important if you put the oil on something it can seep into, like wooden handles.
This hack works due to olive oil’s texture. It acts as a barrier between the dirt and the tool, which means the dirt and mud stick to the oil rather than the shovel or hoe. The oil’s nature also makes it easier to wash off when you’re done with the task.
