Cleaning and Storing Your Files

Files are cleaned with a file card. Here are Lutz file cards with a pick for cleaning the file card.
eBay Lutz #10 File Card

Here are excellent Nicholson file cards (I bought one):
eBay Nicholson 21467 File Card & Brush USA

If you want to make your own longer file card, buy the brush by the foot.
eBay FILE-CARD-REPLACEMENT-STEEL-WIRE-BRUSH

Since files are bare high-carbon steel, they can rust in a humid environment. If your files are stored in an unheated building or basement, I recommend opening the file boxes so that humidity is not trapped inside. Don't seal or wrap them in plastic. The swings in temperature that we have been experiencing can trap humid air in sheds and garages where it will condense like dew and cause rust. It happened in my detached garage in spring 2013. Ideally, store extra files in heated and cooled space.

Colton's File card

Nicholson patent file card