The Garage Storage Solution That Keeps Your Tools Safer During Winter

As temperatures drop into the 40s overnight and your final fall cleanup is complete, you may breathe a sigh of relief that it's time to put your yard tools away. Your garage is probably already set up to hang the trowels, rakes, pruners you use in your garden neatly on pegboards or elaborate garage shelf storage systems, but not every outdoor tool seems to get the same treatment. Leaning your electric or gas-powered tools up against the wall or tucked into a corner seems like a reasonable way to store them until spring, but hanging them up, too, is a safer solution that protects them from damage.

Line trimmers, edgers, hedge trimmers, chainsaws, and leaf blowers all have moving parts that can fail if they're not properly stored and protected from the elements. Engine oil can turn to gunk, blades can be dulled, and rust can eat away at the metal. Hanging your tools in your garage (or in a shed if you don't have a garage) after winterizing them should ensure that they're ready to use when your green thumb starts itching in the spring. The hanging system you choose can be as simple as a hook screwed into the wall or as complex as a DIY cleat wall with shelves, cupboards, and hooks that has been designed to specifically fit your tools.

If you're beginning with a completely disorganized tool collection, do an inventory of what you have, including hand and workshop tools, and note which items need to be hung on the wall or from the ceiling. This way, you can allocate the right amount of space for each type of tool and buy or DIY the best garage cabinet system. It also comes in handy if you ever have to file an insurance claim for stolen tools. Once you know what should go where, do a final check to make sure the stored tools will stay clean and dry. Electric and gas powered tools like line trimmers and edgers should be stored vertically, with the head at the bottom but not touching the floor. Leaf blowers should be stored horizontally, with support for both the engine housing and the nozzle. If wall space is limited, hang tools from hooks in the ceiling or the rafters out of the way of cars and people. Give your tools a quick visual inspection once a month to make sure rust isn't forming.

Keeping your equipment clean and in good working order can extend its life by 30%. Part of the regular maintenance is to winterize your lawn tools before you hang them up for the off season. Start by thoroughly cleaning and drying your equipment to reduce the risk of rust or corrosion. If you have gas equipment, either drain or stabilize the fuel, change the oil and the oil filter, check the spark plugs, and lubricate the moving parts. If your equipment is electric, clean it and remove the batteries. Batteries should be stored someplace where the temperature remains fairly constant. Neatly wrap electrical cords so they don't permanently kink over the winter.