I used a many pronged attack against the dirty, used tools I acquire: it depends on the durability, finish and rustiness of the tools.... or whatever I happen to have closes to me @ the moment! LOL!
Starting out Dirty:
solvent, (the classic cleaner for chrome based tools that are encrusted with the day to day oil soaked grunge that every motor out there is caked in! This is typically, what most mechanics tools are filled with in every nook and cranny; if the tools were used by a mechanic! soak, get a solvent brush and get all the **** off it and finish off with good degreaser!)
Wire wheel on a bench grinder; Wipes things out quickly and can remove surface rust in a snap! Much debate here but it depends on the "preciousness" of the tool and how worried you are about preserving whatever surface coating may or may not be left on the tool!
Evaporust (the gentle non destructive surface solution)! Doesn't remove metal, chrome or anything metal but does remove the rust! One of the most amazing products I have ever used; much debate on here, about how well it works on different types of rusted items and how long it lasts. Try it yourself and see how it works for you; locally sold in my area @ Autozone and Harbor Freight.
http://www.evapo-rust.com/
Simple Green or any brand degreaser (can discolor plastic, ok with chrome/metal),
WD40 (great for getting off gooey sticky things, generally doesn't hurt plastic, painted surfaces but be careful it can remove printed letters sometimes e.g. wera screwdrivers for some reason)
http://www.simplegreen.com/
Fast Orange hand cleaner with pumice and a stiff bristle brush (great for rubberized handles, plastic things that have a "textured" finish that you just can't get the grease, dirt, sticky gunk off of... be careful the pumice can hurt finishes as it acts as a abrasive but if your tools are heavily used and greased over... it ain't gonna matter!)
http://www.permatex.com/brand_fast_orange.htm
Anti bacterial product of choice and kill the germs! So many weapons to choose from; really up to you and what you think WON"T hurt the finish of the tool. In my mind getting everything as clean as possible FIRST is the key and then killing off whatever germs are left over would be the order of battle; anti bacterial soap, clorox.... endless products to choose from!
Finish:
compressed air: get for removing leftover particles and "getting the water out" of nooks and crannies... in a attempt to stop rust.
the sun: a hot summer day with dry pretty much anything in a snap!
rags: wipe down and finish off with whatever protectant you desire (e.g. WD 40, lite oil, etc.)
plastic conditioner: you may or may not want to put something on the plastic that will attract dust or get gooey but some sort of protectant is probably a good idea... everyone seems to have their favorite or most hated (e.g. Armor All)
metal/anti rust preventative: so many products out there (others can probably tell you their favorites... I live in the desert so, don't really have a need!); some have gone so far as to put silica gel packs in their drawers, especially in areas with heavy humidity!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silica_gel
Kinda started typing and couldn't stop! Sorry, I may have not even answered you initial question! LOL !
