One of the best things you can do for your tools, your safety and your wallet is to learn how to look after them properly from the moment you buy them. Here are some tips on how to do this.

One of the best things you can do for your tools, your safety and your wallet is to learn how to look after them properly from the moment you buy them. When you maintain them properly your tools will last much longer and work more effectively when you use them, which can only ever be a good thing.

Here are some useful tips for effective tool storage:

Organise your tools properly

This may seem obvious but, you’d be surprised how many people keep tools in random tins, rags or even carrier bags expecting them to stay in good condition.

However, it isn’t actually all that simple knowing how to store your tools because even items made to keep tools can cause them harm long term. For example; a metal tool box can actually expose metal tools inside to moisture which will eventually lead to rust. The most effective tool boxes are actually plastic ones or simple wooden boxes with lids, so you needn’t spend much on getting the best storage option.

Any larger tools like power tools or big garden equipment should be kept in a dry place and/or with a cover on (in the case of petrol mowers). If you don’t have the space for this over winter consider investing in some self-storage to keep the items safe and maintained until you use them again.

Keep them dry

There aren’t really many, if any tools that need moisture to keep them maintained, which means water is generally going to be an issue with all tools. If you get a tool wet – dry it. If your tools are wet when you go to use them because of humidity, you’re keeping them in the wrong environment. Rust will kill your tools, so keep moisture at bay at all times.

Keep them sharp

If your secateurs have gone blunt, invest in a sharpening stone to get them working well again. Many people make the mistake of throwing away blunt tools and buying new ones because they don’t think to invest in a sharpening tool. Once you buy a sharpening tool you’ll more than likely become pretty addicted to using it, bringing life back to all sorts of tools you thought were past it!

Keep them safe

Remember you don’t want little hands finding sharp tools, so make sure the box you purchase has a lock on it.

With regards to the safety of your tools in general, this all depends on how valuable the tools are to you. Some specialist garden equipment can cost thousands of pounds, so if it’s out of use for a while it might be an idea to get some cheap self-storage to keep it safe until you use it again. If the tools are inexpensive and can be easily replaced, simply store in a secure place in your garage or shed and don’t leave them out in the garden where they can be easily stolen.

Remember your tools are an investment and in order to protect that investment you must put the effort in long term, otherwise your tools will be useless and unsafe which is money out the window.