You’re not going to have much use for Summer household tools like gardening rakes or pruning shears during the frigid Winter, and for the sake of practicality and organization, many homeowners decide to store these Summer tools in their garage until the weather warms up again. However, the way that these tools are stored is very important, as improper storage tactics can actually damage them. Here’s a guide to safely storing your Summer tools in your garage for the whole Winter, so that they can be perfectly functional when the Sun rolls around again, as prepared by the garage door repair experts at Garage Door Repair Chicago.
Remove batteries from tools
Take batteries out of all devices like leaf blowers and lawn mowers. First, disconnect the battery cable. Take out the negative labeled cable first (the one with the negative sign.) Then, wipe it down with a cloth, and clean the battery terminal with a metal brush. We recommend coating the battery terminals with a unique terminal protector.
Cleaning and Oiling Blades
Sharp and clean blades work must better than rusty or rough ones. Before storing blades for the Winter, clean off any dirt or grass from them using a wire brush or a damp cloth. Use a file to sharpen the blades, or consider taking them to a hardware store for a cheap sharpening. Coat blades with oil to prevent rust and blade degradation – even a light coat will be sufficient.
Drain Fuel – Or Add Preservatives
Label all gas containers with the type of fuel they store. Stay aware of which devices can use hybrid fuels, and which only use straight up gasoline. Drain all fuel powered tools before storing them for the season – and if you don’t want to do this, pour in the proper amount of a designated additive that can protect the fuel line for the months the device will be in storage.
Storage Methods
Make sure to create room for your Summer tools and store them in a way that leaves you room to have access to all of your Winter tools like salt, snow blowers, and shovels. Install shelving or hooks on your garage wall to help you keep it organized, without leaving tools on the ground. If your garage has roof beams or a loft, even better – this can greatly expand your storage space!
Throw Away Unneeded Stuff
This proves to be a fantastic method for making your life much more organized and simple. Simply donate or throw out any clutter, junk, or unneeded tools that you never use. It will provide room to create designated spots for the devices and tools that you do actually use, simplifying your life, lessening clutter, and making your garage a much more pleasant environment.
