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No matter what tools you use regularly or have stored away in your workshop, regular maintenance and proper storage are essential for your tools to stay in good condition and work as expected when you need them. Pros know they need to keep their tools well-maintained to get quality results on the job, but many DIYers neglect this aspect of tool ownership. Ultimately, if you want your tools to last longer and be capable of producing superior results, then it’s essential to take tool care seriously. Check out these cleaning, protection, and tool care products to help you maintain your new tools.
Power Scrubber
Photo: AmazonThe Ryobi One+ 18V power scrubber kit is a handheld scrubber that comes with a 6-inch medium stiffness bristle brush, a 2-amp-hour (Ah) Ryobi battery, and a charger. It has a clear case on the bottom, protecting the battery from moisture, and an IPX7 water-resistant rating. This scrubber can be submerged in 3 feet of water for up to 30 minutes without damage.
What our tester says: “I started outdoors, and the brush stiffness was perfect for grills, grates, and concrete steps. I was perhaps most impressed when my husband cleaned his soot- and grease-covered pellet smoker. He sprayed the smoker with a degreaser and then powered on the Ryobi. In 20 minutes, the pellet smoker was clean to the touch, and the Ryobi brush was completely black from lifting all the grime.” —Katie Barton, Product Reviews tester and writer
Non-Stick Snowblower Spray
Photo: AmazonThe DuPont Teflon snow and ice repellent spray is specifically made to create nonstick surfaces that repel moisture in liquid or frozen form. The Teflon fluoropolymer and silicone combination adheres well to metal, rubber, or plastic, creating a barrier between those materials and snow and ice that would otherwise cause chute clogging and auger buildup.
What our tester says: “When testing this spray with our snow blower, we were careful to hit a combination of powder and a few slushy patches that would usually be difficult for the chute to clear. The powder flew through the snow blower chute without issue, and the wet snow did as well.” —Zack Lazzari, Product Reviews tester and writer
Compressed Air Electronics Cleaner
Photo: AmazonWith this 2-pack of Innovera compressed air cans, you can remove dust, dirt, and debris from your tools without relying on a cloth or brush, which may inadvertently push the debris deeper. The compressed air is effective for electronic devices, but can also be used on the body of your drills, drivers, and saws to get rid of sawdust and metal shavings that may otherwise enter the body of the power tool and cause damage to the motor.
Rust Remover
Photo: AmazonThis spray-on formula is designed to both remove rust and convert it into a primer-ready surface, making it especially useful for projects that require painting afterward. Like other acid-based rust removers, Rust Kutter requires proper safety precautions—protective gloves, eye protection, and good ventilation are a must.
What our tester says: “When I sprayed Rust Kutter on, I couldn’t believe how fast it worked—the rust just melted away right in front of me. Overall, Rust Kutter stood out in testing as a reliable, fast-acting solution that made the rust practically disappear before our eyes.” —Paul Rankin, Product Reviews tester and writer
Microfiber Cloths
Photo: AmazonAIDEA Microfiber Cleaning Cloths are top pick not only because they are super plush and highly absorbent, but also for their sheer versatility. You can use these to capture dust, dirt, and debris on just about every surface imaginable, without worrying about causing damage in the process. Made of non-treated polyester and polyamide fibers, AIDEA Microfiber Cleaning Cloths don’t scratch paint, stainless steel, or electronics—and they won’t fade or deposit lint either.
Stackable Tool Box
DeWalt ToughSystem 2.0 Stackable Tool Box
Buy at The Home DepotKeep your tools, fittings, and fasteners safe, secure, and neatly organized in this durable multi-toolbox storage system. The DeWalt ToughSystem comes with a small tool box for fasteners, screwdrivers, and other small parts, a medium tool box for wrenches, hammers, and other medium-size tools, and a large tool box that has space for your power tools, as well as built-in wheel and an extendable handle for convenient transportation.
What our tester says: “The three-piece set I tested has ample storage for several hand tools and power tools, and it’s made to withstand harsh weather conditions. The ability to latch the boxes together with just one hand is a handy benefit. And the reinforced padlock eye on each box offers a measure of added security and peace of mind.” —Glenda Taylor, Product Reviews tester and writer
Silicone Lubricating Spray
Photo: AmazonThis 11-ounce silicone spray from WD-40 can create a water-resistant, low-friction coating on cables, pulleys, valves, hinges, locks, and guide rails that will also protect against rust. It can also be used on a range of materials, including rubber, plastics, metals, and vinyl. Use the spray to regain movement lost to rust, grime, oil, cleaner, solutions, and other built-up debris.
Fuel Stabilizer
Photo: AmazonThis 32-ounce bottle of stabilizer will treat up to 80 gallons of fuel, allowing users to stretch their fuel-saving budget a bit further. And, by keeping fuel fresh for up to 24 months, it’s a logical choice for generators or lawn equipment at vacation homes or cabins. This fuel stabilizer works with different types of gasoline engines, whether it’s two-stroke or four-stroke.
Drill Bit Sharpener
Photo: AmazonIf you’re considering an electric drill bit sharpener that allows you to get the most out of your old drill bits, the Drill Doctor 750X deserves a close look. It works with bit sizes from 3/32 inch up to ¾ inch, and it has a quick calibration system to accommodate any tip angle from 115 to 140 degrees. The diamond grit sharpening wheel works on all types of bits, including tough cobalt drill bits and carbide tips. It’s also capable of creating or renewing split points.
What our tester says: “I usually prefer multipurpose shop tools, but drill bits can be tricky. A simple calibration system and near perfect results every time made the DD750X my favorite of the group.” —Mark Wolfe, Product Reviews tester and writer
Chainsaw Sharpener
Photo: AmazonAvid chainsaw users know that a properly sharpened chain saves time and money. A sharp chain makes work safer and easier, enhances fuel efficiency, and minimizes wear and tear on the saw. The Oregon 410-120 is a benchtop chain grinder that allows anyone to sharpen saw chains in their own workshop and get professional results.
What our tester says: “For testing, I used the Oregon 410-120 to sharpen a couple of ⅜-inch low-profile chains. The first chain was old, unevenly worn, and in need of reconditioning. The second one was dull but newer, and it was in pretty good shape. On the newer chain, it took me less than 5 minutes to set up the grinder settings and sharpen the chain to like-new condition.” —Mark Wolfe, Product Reviews tester and writer
Wrench Organizer
Photo: AmazonAn essential for tool organization is this wrench organizer from Ernst. The organizer, which will fit in most tool chest drawers, includes labeled spots to hold up to 20 wrenches sized ¼ inch to 1 ½ inches. The organizer, a featured selection in our guide to the best tool box organizers, has a modular design that makes it easier to set up and break apart for custom wrench sets. This organizer also comes with identification labels, so you can quickly see wrench sizes and spot missing tools.
What our tester says: “Wrenches can get mixed up in an open drawer, but this wrench organizer keeps them in check. The Ernst Manufacturing Wrench Pro modular organizer is designed to work with most wrenches, separating and aligning them so that you can quickly find and pick out the one you need.”—Mark Wolfe, Product Reviews tester and writer.
Tool Box Foam
Photo: AmazonPlace these foam inserts into your tool box or tool cases to keep your tools protected from impact damage and reduce the risk of corrosion. The foam can be cut with a utility knife to provide specific storage spaces, allowing you to better organize your tools. Additionally, with the tools sitting in the protective foam, moisture is less likely to cause problems, since the tools will be elevated, rather than left to sit in the bottom of the tool box.
Tool and Blade File
Photo: Acme ToolsMaintaining your lawn mower doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. If you appreciate the simplicity and quiet satisfaction of working with manual tools, then the Crescent Nicholson 12-inch flat double-cut bastard file is a great option. The aggressive double-cut teeth remove material fast with moderate pressure, making it possibly the best file for sharpening lawn mower blades.
What our tester says: “Applying moderate pressure, the file removed a lot of material quickly. It only took 10 strokes on each end to sharpen the first blade, which was dull from a full season’s usage but had no nicks or chips. The second blade, which had a few deep gouges from encounters with hidden rocks, needed about twice as many strokes to renew the edge and rebalance the blade.” —Mark Wolfe, Product Reviews tester and writer
Synthetic Oil
Photo: AmazonPennzoil’s unique refining technology that turns natural gas into a full synthetic motor oil makes this one of the top-rated oils on the market. This is because the process creates a base oil that is 99.5 percent pure. As a result, this 5-quart container of Pennzoil Ultra Premium motor oil has fewer impurities that can leave harmful deposits in an engine than other synthetics, ensuring it is 25 to 35 percent cleaner.
Socket Organizer
Photo: AmazonKeep all your sockets arranged by size with this socket organizer from Olsa Tools. The organizer features three sizes of spring ball bearing clips to hold ¼-inch, ⅜-inch, and ½-inch drive sockets. The socket organizer fits into tool box drawers and can accommodate up to 80 sockets.
What our tester says: “My socket set originally came in a blow-mold plastic case that kept things organized but made the sockets hard to pull out, and it took up too much space. The Olsa Tools portable socket organizer holds them securely, lets go when needed, and lets me store everything in one tool box instead of carrying a separate case.” —Mark Wolfe, Product Reviews writer and tester.https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0776Z4ZTQ