You count on the tools in your toolbox to help you keep the spaces around you functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing. Recent federal data shows American spending on home and garden tools has risen steadily since the ’80s, reaching nearly $60 billion annually as of 2023. (FYI – Men’s Journal reports one of the best times to buy tools are during big spring sales in April.) To stretch the life of those tools, you’ve got to safeguard them during storage. The tool box you choose makes a difference, as does the climate in which you store them. But don’t overlook the importance of a quality tool box drawer liner.

Ideally, a drawer liner for tool boxes will help prevent knicks and dings while also providing protection against rust. Rust prevention toolbox liners – particularly those with vapor corrosion inhibitors (VCI) can serve as a critical safeguard against the corrosion and degradation of valuable tools.

Homeowners, craftsmen, mechanics, and professionals across various industries depend on these tools to be in good working order when they reach for them. Unfortunately, the metal components of the most common tools (particularly those made of iron or steel) are prone to rust and other forms of corrosion.

Corrosion of metal household tools is caused and/or exacerbated by exposure to:

• Oxygen + moisture
• High humidity
• Salt
• Hand oils / sweat
• Proximity to dissimilar metals
• Fluctuating temperatures (freeze-thaw cycles can create microscopic cracks in metal & condensation build-up; water gets inside, resulting in damage)
• Environmental contaminants and chemicals

We see this a lot with wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, and sockets – thanks to their metal composition and frequent exposure to moisture during both use and storage. Exposed metal components tend to be the most vulnerable (i.e., sockets, edges, hinges, pivots, and blades).

The risk, of course, is not just the fact that rust and corrosion will compromise the structural integrity, performance, and lifespan of the tool. It can also pose safety risks, especially when certain tasks that require reliability and precision.

The Benefit of VCI Tool Box Drawer Liner

A tool box drawer liner with VCI offers an effective solution to mitigate the risk of rust and preserve the condition of your tools.

The patented technology used to manufacture VCI products involves infusing materials like heavy-duty, non-slip rubber lining with a non-toxic chemical, residue-free formula that releases corrosion-inhibiting vapors when placed inside a closed container. Those vapors will settle in a molecule-thin layer on the metal surfaces, protecting them from the degrading impacts of moisture and other forms of corrosion without eroding or impacting any of the tool’s other physical properties.

When you reach for a tool and find it tinged with rust, you know your task just got bigger. Suddenly, you have to take the time to carefully remove the rust — or possibly even replace the component or tool altogether. When you clean and dry your tool after each use and store it with a VCI tool box drawer liner, you don’t have to think twice. It helps ensure your tools are always ready right when you need them – for years to come.

An added bonus of Zerust VCI tool box drawer liners: They can be cut to size to fit whatever type of toolbox you’re using and last up to 5 years.

Contact Zerust for information on VCI products to help with rust prevention of a range of consumer products – including your hand tools and power tools – by emailing us or calling (330) 405-1965.

Additional Resources:

6 Way to Save Money When You Buy Tools, April 8, 2024, By Brett Martin & Tony Carrick, Popular Mechanics

More Blog Entries:

How to Prevent Metal From Rusting With Vapor Corrosion Inhibitors, Jan. 18, 2024, Tool Box Drawer Liner Rust Prevention Blog