Creating a Tidier Tool Shed

335 days ago

Every home should have a tool shed. It is a place where all of your power tools, saws, hammers and shovels can be kept safe and out of the reach of children. However, it is vital to keep your tool shed neat and tidy. If not kept clean, a tool shed can turn into a hazardous zone which you’ll never want to enter. So before things get out of control, follow these five easy steps to clean up your tool shed:

Sweep the Shed Clean

Since most tool sheds are located outdoors, they are usually covered with dust, soil, grime, and inhabited by all sorts of insects. Therefore, the best method for cleaning is from the ground up.  Remove all your tools and supplies from the tool shed and place everything on your driveway, lawn, or veranda. Then take a broom and sweep the area clean. Once you have swept the floor, use a vacuum to clean any hard-to-reach spots. If you don’t have a vacuum handy, a leaf blower will do the trick.

Organise the Equipment in Your Tool Shed

Once the tool shed is clean, it’s time to take a closer look at all the equipment you removed. This is the perfect time to start organising your tools and supplies. Similar equipment should be placed together – the automotive, electrical, workshop and pool supplies should have their own designated sections.

Decide What to Put In Your Tool Shed

This is the most important step in cleaning your tool shed. It is essential that you decide what should be placed inside and what can be stored in your basement, or elsewhere. For example, if you have a large lawnmower that is taking up a lot of space in the tool shed, then you need to put other large items elsewhere. This will help de-clutter the shed and allow you easy access to the equipment inside.

Purchase Storage Bins

After you clean and organise your tool shed, you will usually end up with lots of loose items like gardening supplies, nails, batteries, screws, nuts, and bolts. The easiest thing to do with these items is to place them in storage bins, preferably clear plastic ones so you can easily spot what you’re looking for.

Add Shelves

If you feel that you’re running out of space, add shelves to free up some more room. Mounting shelves on the walls is a wise move, since they occupy less space than bulky cabinets or workshop tables. Storing equipment on shelves rather than leaving them on the ground will also protect your more valuable and expensive tools from corrosion, rust, waterlogging, and general malfunction. In addition, any toxic materials can now be stored safely out of the reach of children.

Most tool sheds are very dirty and dingy, but with these five tips in mind you will be able to keep your tool shed clean and organised.