So you’ve just finished a big home project—maybe you ripped out that moldy bathroom drywall, scraped off decades of old paint, or finally tackled the grimy garden shears you’ve been ignoring. You’re proud of the work, but now your tools are caked with dust, grime, and who knows what else. It’s tempting to just wipe them down with a paper towel and call it a day. But if you want to keep your tools working like new and avoid spreading germs, mold, or bacteria to your next project, a proper disinfecting routine is worth the extra ten minutes.

First, let’s get one thing straight: cleaning and disinfecting are not the same. Cleaning means removing visible dirt, grease, and debris. Disinfecting means killing the microscopic bacteria, viruses, and fungi that you can’t see. If you skip the cleaning step and go straight to disinfecting, the dirt can actually protect those germs from the disinfectant. So always start by scrubbing your tools with warm, soapy water and a stiff brush. Rinse thoroughly and dry them with a clean rag. Now you’re ready to disinfect.

The go-to disinfectant for most homeowners is a diluted bleach solution. Bleach is powerful, cheap, and kills a wide range of pathogens. But it’s also corrosive, especially to metal tools. If you’re disinfecting a stainless steel trowel or a pair of pruning shears, a quick dip or wipe with a 1:10 bleach-to-water solution (one part bleach, ten parts water) is fine—provided you rinse the tool with plain water afterward and dry it immediately. Never soak tools in bleach for more than a few minutes, and don’t use it on aluminum or any tool with a painted or coated handle, because it will eat away the coating or cause pitting.

For tools with wooden handles, bleach can be especially damaging. The wood might absorb the liquid and later crack or splinter. Instead, reach for isopropyl alcohol, at least 70 percent concentration. Alcohol evaporates quickly and won’t soak into wood as deeply. Put some in a spray bottle, mist your tool handles and metal parts, let it sit for about thirty seconds to a minute, then wipe it off. Alcohol is also great for disinfecting screwdrivers, pliers, and other hand tools that you use frequently around the house.

Hydrogen peroxide is another gentle but effective option, especially for tools that touch soil or plants, like shovels or trowels. A 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution kills bacteria and mold spores without leaving a toxic residue. Just apply it with a cloth or spray, let it bubble for a couple of minutes, then rinse and dry. It’s particularly handy for cleaning rusty tools, though it won’t remove rust itself—that’s a separate job.

Now, what about those big power tools like circular saws, sanders, or drill drivers? You definitely don’t want to submerge them. Spraying a disinfectant directly into vents or motor openings is a bad idea because it can cause electrical shorts or rust inside. Instead, use a disinfectant wipe (like those with quaternary ammonium compounds) to carefully clean only the exterior surfaces you touch—handles, triggers, grips. For blades or bits, remove them first, clean and disinfect them separately, dry them, and then reattach.

One more thing to consider: the surface you’re working on. If you’re disinfecting tools after a mold-abatement project, you need a disinfectant that specifically kills mold spores. Bleach works, but it doesn’t penetrate porous surfaces like wood. For wooden handles that might have absorbed mold, a commercial fungicide or a vinegar solution (undiluted white vinegar) can be more effective. Vinegar kills many types of mold, but it’s not a registered disinfectant for bacteria and viruses—so use it only when mold is your main concern.

Finally, don’t forget to store your tools properly after disinfecting. Moisture is the enemy. Wipe everything bone-dry, then let them air out for an hour or so before putting them back in a toolbox or drawer. If you keep a light coat of oil on metal surfaces (a rag with a few drops of machine oil works), you’ll help prevent rust between projects.

Disinfecting your DIY tools doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Pick the right disinfectant for the material, always clean first, and dry thoroughly. Your future self—and your next project—will thank you.