Storage Habits That Ruin Good Tools
You can buy the best tools out there, but if you don’t store them right, they’ll wear out way faster than they should. Most tool damage doesn’t come from using them—it comes from how they’re stored when you’re done.
Tossing Them in a Pile
If your tools are stacked in a bucket, drawer, or jumbled toolbox, they’re going to get scratched up, chipped, or bent.
Blades dull faster, cords tangle, and bits get lost or broken. Even hand tools like screwdrivers and pliers will start showing wear. Hang things on a wall or use drawer organizers so everything stays separated and easy to grab.
Leaving Them Outside
Tools left on the porch, in the truck bed, or even under a covered patio will start rusting fast.
Humidity and temp swings wreak havoc on metal. Just one night of dew can trigger corrosion. Always bring them inside—especially power tools or anything with a sharp edge.
Storing Them Dirty
Letting sawdust, oil, or grime sit on your tools will break them down over time.
Metal parts rust faster, wooden handles dry out and crack, and fine moving parts start to seize. Wipe down everything after use, and give your tools a quick once-over before putting them up.
Keeping Batteries in the Shed
Battery-powered tools don’t like heat, cold, or moisture.
Leaving them in a non-climate-controlled shed shortens battery life and damages internal components. Bring batteries into the house or a garage with stable temps if you want them to last.
Hanging Tools by Their Cords
It might seem handy, but hanging drills or saws by the cord puts constant strain on the connection.
Eventually, that cord will pull loose, short out, or fray—and once it does, it’s a safety hazard. Wrap cords gently and store the tool itself on a shelf or hook designed to hold its weight.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
