The Common Household Item That Keeps Your Garage Tools Clean & Organized

Garage tools always find a way to get messy. That wrench you bought a few weeks ago is already buried under a pile of random bolts and old paint cans. And when you finally find it, it'll likely be slick with grease. Cleaning these tools often feels like more work than the project itself. But thankfully, you don't need fancy cleaning products or expensive organizers to bring order back to your garage. An old newspaper, the same one you were about to toss in the recycling bin, can do wonders. Yep, that humble stack of paper can help you wipe off oily tools and keep your shelves organized, all without spending a dime.

Newspapers are surprisingly absorbent. They can pick up oil and grime better than you'd expect. Plus, the carbon in the newsprint ink helps neutralize odors. This means your garage won't smell like a mix of fuel and rust anymore. Another positive thing about reusing old newspapers is that you're utilizing something that would otherwise go to waste. That's recycling at its best. It tells you that sometimes, the most overlooked things collecting dust in your home can be the most useful ones. All it requires is some attention on our part.

Garage tools don't exactly stay clean for long. Once you start working, oil and grime somehow find their way onto every screwdriver and wrench in sight. Humidity is another factor. Garages tend to trap a lot of moisture. This means even if your tools aren't in use, they're fighting off rust. To tackle that, you can repurpose old newspapers lying aimlessly in your cabinet drawer. Give it a few folds, and you've got a tool for wiping away grease. The texture of newspaper is mildly abrasive. Put simply, you can use it to scrub and clean the metal without scratching its surface. You can also roll it into a ball. It becomes even handier for reaching those little corners and handles that collect the most gunk.

But cleaning isn't all it's good for. You can also use it to organize your garage. Consider layering the inside of your drawers and shelves with newspaper sheets. This will catch all the dust and oil drips before they reach the surface and leave behind a sticky mess. When the newspaper gets too dirty, toss it and layer a new one. Firstly, this hack helps to keep your storage spaces neat. Secondly, it saves you from spending on paper towels and drawer liners. It's among those home hacks that make you wonder, "Why didn't I think of that sooner?"