Apparently, there are a few methods that you can adopt to remove rust from your garden tools. However, there’s a very effective one. For that, you need to soak the tool overnight in a mixture of 50 % vinegar and 50% water. Next, use a ball of steel wool or a crumpled up piece of thin foil to rub the rust off the tool in a circular motion. Once you remove the rust, rinse the tool in soapy water and then in the clear water. Finally, hang dry them and rub with mineral oil or WD-40.