Once you've installed a wall-mount storage system, you'll use it to keep your garage clutter-free. However, even by diligently putting your belongings in their rightful place, you could make a few mistakes or miss out on a storage opportunity. In fact, failing to properly store certain items can cause them to wear out more quickly. Fortunately, we've got your back! Here are some tips for maintaining your cables and hose by stowing them carefully:
Learn to coil a cable
Believe it or not, there is a right and wrong way to coil cables, such as extension cords. You probably hold one end in your hand then make loops until the whole thing is a neat circle. In essence, this idea is OK, but how you form your loops makes all the difference. Coiling each loop the same can cause the cable to warp or even mess up the components inside. What's more, cables wrapped in the same direction with each loop become a pain to work with, coiling on the ground when you want it to lay straight. Instead, use this method, aka the over-under:
Start by holding one end of the cable. Then, loop the cord, placing the top of the loop in your hand. For the next loop, you'll flip the cable so the bottom pops up into your hand. Hard to envision? The two loops (over and under) should form a figure eight that's folded together. You might need to practice using the over-under method before you can wrap cable quickly, but that time is worth it. Watch tutorials online to see an expert coil a cable.
Once you have the nicely wrapped cord (whether it's an extension cord or cable for a power tool), you can hang it in your garage. Standard wall hooks or even a nylon strap hook hold cables nicely. Don't forget to use this method for cables you use inside, like those for your TV or Internet.
Coil garden hose properly
When you don't wrap garden hose correctly, the long cord can tangle when you actually use it. Then you have a pile of twisting knots by your spigot that seems impossible to work with - how are you supposed to reach all of your garden beds with a tangled hose? Follow these steps when storing your garden hose:
- Turn off the tap and untangle your hose completely.
- Let it lay in the sun for 10-15 minutes, as a warm hose is easier to maneuver.
- Unscrew the hose and let out all of the water (lift sections of the hose so gravity does its magic).
- Lay one end of the hose on the ground and form a loop.
- Lay each successive loop on top of the previous.
- Tie the hose with rope to keep all the loops together.
Unlike electrical cable, you should not use the over-under method for coiling hose - just over is fine. If you don't want to tie your hose with rope, store it using a nylon strap hook - the strap wraps around the hose and clips closed to keep everything together.
