How to Store Your Tools for Winter

Preparing your garden spade, shovels, hand tools and lawn mower for winter storage will help preserve their life for many growing seasons to come. Follow these basic steps to cleaning and organizing your tools for storage:

• Scrape dirt from garden tools, wash them with your hose and dry them thoroughly. Remove light rust with a piece of steel wool. Rub metal parts with an oiled cloth, and then store these items in a dry place. Hanging them is best - it allows air to circulate and keeps them off from damp floors.
• After you mow the lawn for the last time, be sure to remove any grass clippings and debris from your lawn mower (always disconnect the spark plug before working on your mower). Use a garden hose to wash surfaces.
• Use the Fresh Start^® gas cap from Briggs & Stratton to keep your fuel fresh while your mower is in storage. You may also want to tune-up your mower now rather than wait for spring. Check out this informational tutorial on mower maintenance to help you perform a tune-up yourself.
• Don't leave water hoses out if you have freezing temperatures in your area. Disconnect and drain hoses, inspect them for damage, then coil and hang them in the garage or garden shed.
• Run the gasoline out of your string trimmer before you store it for winter.
• Empty and wash out flower pots; store them upside down in a sheltered place.