How to Clean Your Tools

It’s not hard to understand why you might need to clean your toolsPliers, wrenches, chisels, blades and so forth are all being used in dirty, greasy situations.  To get the best results from your tools every time you use them, it’s best to keep them clean and degreased.  Though some of your tools may require special cleaning instructions, most Klein products can be cleaned one of two ways.  To keep your tools in their best shape possible, here is a guide to cleaning your tools both ways.

Simple Cleaning Method

With a simple cleaner like Klein’s Multi-Purpose Cleaner-Degreaser it’s easy to clean your tools after every use.  The specially formulated solvent is intended for maintenance cleaning on grime, grease, lubrication fluids, silicone, tars, adhesives, and fluxes.  As it’s harmless to most plastics, it’s a great solvent to use on tools that utilize plastic grips, such as the pliers in our Journeyman Series.  Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Multi-Purpose Cleaner-Degreaser
  • Cloth rag

With the cloth rag, spray a small amount of the multi-purpose cleaner onto the tool and rub excess dirt and grime off.  Not a lot is needed for effective results.  Klein’s Multi-Purpose Cleaner evaporates without leaving residue and is essentially nonconductive, non-corrosive, and non-staining, which means you don’t have to worry about hurting your tools when cleaning.

Advanced Cleaning Method

If you clean your tools after every use with Klein’s Multi-Purpose Cleaner, you should never have to worry about a bigger, more drastic cleaning process as the second method entails.  However, if you have older tools that you haven’t touched in years, ones you inherited, or tools you found at garage sales or flea markets that you just couldn’t pass up, you may need a more drastic wash.  To clean really dirty and rusty tools, here’s what you’ll need:

Start by filling the bucket with hot water and a small amount of commercial cleaner.  Soak your tools in the bucket for 30 seconds to a minute.  With your wire brush, scrub the tools to remove dirt and grime.  Rinse and repeat until all dirt has been cleared from the tool.  Let dry atop a cloth rag.  For older tools with a considerable amount of rust, you will want to take the steel wool and scrub the rust off.  Allow time for everything to dry.  It’s important to make sure all of the tools are absent of moisture to prevent future rusting.  Use your dry cloth rag and wipe down as much as possible to ensure that all water is gone.  As a final cleaning, use a small amount of Klein’s Multi-Purpose Cleaner and wipe down each tool.

Although most new tools are rust resistant, if it’s older tools you’re cleaning, you may want to add a small amount of household oil (i.e. WD-40).  By applying some to a small rag and wiping your older tools down, you will help prevent them from rusting.

Effective cleaning after every use is the best way to ensure you’ll get the best results from the tools you depend on.  With proper care of your Klein tools, you can guarantee they’ll last a lifetime.