With winter on the horizon a lot of us will have to put down the tools and find some indoor hobbies for a while, No, it’s not easy but with the weather the way it is, it has to be done. However, this leads onto the next problem. If you have a whole range of tools, ride-on lawnmower, rotovator etc. – where do you store them until the winter ends? Well, safe storage options can be a fantastic place to provide storage if you don’t have the room at home.
However, one thing we would suggest before storing your tools is that you prepare them for a few months of not being used. So, let’s take a look at how to prepare tools when storing them for the winter.
Cleanliness
First things first, the most important thing to do when storing tools is to clean them off and ensure that there is no dirt or debris. There are numerous ways to do this, but the best if it’s suitable is a power hose or just a regular garden hose. Alternatively, a wire brush and soapy water can also suffice. Lawnmower blades and other mechanical items can really be damaged if left covered in dirt or grass throughout the winter. Clean them and then make sure the tools are dry before you move on.
Sharpen
Our advice at best at hire is that tools with blades such as rakes, hoes, rotovator, lawnmowers and anything else will need to be sharpened before they are put away for the colder months. You can do this with a metal file or a honing stone; alternatively you can get a professional person to do so either.
Wood
If the items you’re storing have wooden handles or parts then these need to be prepped for the winter too. Wood needs a quick once over with a medium grit sand paper and then a coat of paint. This prevents splinters and also when you paint; it will protect the wood for the coming year’s use. We promise you that you’ll thank us come May.
Oil
No matter what the item, oil is the answer – well in the case of garden tools it is. Oiling up your items before you put them away for the winter will prevent problems with rust and mean they come out in as good of shape as you put them in. Just grab some gloves and place a few drops on the tools and rub it in with a rag. If the device has moving parts then it can be a good idea to ensure you cover all bases here. In fact, a pre-winter service is also something that might not go amiss – so take a look and see when the next one is due. If it’s close you might as well do it now and prevent having to send the item off when you need it next spring.
Storage
Your storage company will offer you plenty of space for storing your tools and we would advise you choose an area that allows plenty of room to hang each up separately in a easy to reach manner that allows you to get what you need when you need it.
So, follow these tips and you can be sure that your items will come out of storage in as good of condition as you placed them in.