What do you use to clean your toolbox?

[CoogarXR]

Most of my boxes are black or charcoal colored. I have one yellow one that shows fingerprints pretty bad though. I mostly just use Windex and a microfiber cloth to wipe them off. I clean my tools with a microfiber cloth before I put them away, so the insides stay clean.

 

[P0234]

Check your screwdriver handles. The plastic in them degrades over time and smells.

I have some older craftsman screw drivers that have that exact smell.

For toolbox cleaning, Mr Clean is awesome, about 2 gallons in a bucket with 1/2 cup Mr. Clean, maybe more for super dirty. Just keep dipping the towel in and wash away. It works exactly like a rinseless carswash, and I'm pretty convinced that's how someone came up with the idea.

 

[Houdini5150]

I use Tub o towels. The box is clean as I don't do much to get it dirty and I wipe the tools down with the tub o towels cloth when I am done.

 

[zmotorsports]

I use the same thing I use on my cars, Meguiar's Final Inspection.

 

[Garcky]

How do I clean my toolbox?

Who has time to bother with that?

 

[gahrajmahal]

My father in law gave me one of his old boxes. About 6 months after I ask why does it smell like someone barfed it it. He couldn't tell me why. It still smells. I thought about a basket of potpourri, but it would offset all the other great odors in my garage that I enjoy.

I’ll bet clay type kitty litter would take the smell out. We keep a office paper box and lid with a few inches in it to take the musty smell out of antiques and old magazines we sometimes buy

 

[Mikeske]

I do not clean my box much but being a retired aviation/vehicle mechanic I keep my tools spotless and shadowed in my box. Once a year or so I “might” clean the box.

 

[Max]

I use formula 409, as 410 was too much:

Formula 409 - Formula 410 (2005) :15 (USA)

adland.tv

Seriously, I do use 409 or fantastik. But I thought the old ad was clever and fun too.

 

[thr3squared]

I wipe it down with detail spray after I'm finished wipping my truck down.

when you say "detail spray" are you referring to a product like Meguiar's Quick Detail?

 

[JasonMcElroy]

Have never cleaned my toolbox.

Have hit it with the broom a few times when sweeping the floor if chips/swarf/grinding dust is laying in the handle troughs.

Jason

 

[Subutai]

Check your screwdriver handles. The plastic in them degrades over time and smells.

That smell is caused by butyric acid that comes off of the Cellulose Acetate Butyrate used to make certain screwdriver handles.

Butyric acid was first extracted from rancid butter by the French chemist Michel Eugène Chevreul. The word butyric comes from the Latin word for butter: butyrum.

Butyric acid is found in humans and is the main factor that makes vomit smell the way it does.

Source: https://petroleumservicecompany.com/blog/screwdrivers-rotting-butter-commonality/

 

[xjfish]

 

[dchawk81]

What do you guys use to clean your toolbox or tools?
Soap, windex, multi-purpose cleaner....

Maria comes in weekly.

Still haven't been able to convince her to wear the French maid outfit.

 

[nadogail]

Clean Shop Rag and WD-40

 

[Sumboodie]

A good tip I picked up from someone on this forum. Windshield washer solution for your car. I have a one gallon bottle, you know it is cheap, I fill a spray bottle and keep it nearby. When I am straightening up at the end of the day a few quick squirts and a quick wipe down and I am done. If the dirt is too tuff I can use something stronger bit this works most of the time.

That's just methanol, water and dye.

 

[PhantomEB]

Vacuum then Leaf blower . Remove the lighter stuff first lol

 

[saltwater4life]

What ever quick detailed or spray on wax I have on hand at the time. I do it about twice a year. Having two 72 inch black boxes has its downside.