DIY Network

Garage: Tool Bench From "Talking Dirty With the Queen of Clean" episode DQOC-143

Figure A

It's time to talk about the place in the home where you put everything that you don't know what to do with -- the garage. Garages are designed to store cars but, for most families, it is stuffed with much more than cars (figure A). But the time has come to take everything out, clean and reorganize the space. For motivation, we'll drop in on a NASCAR garage, which surprisingly, could rival a hospital for its cleanliness. So roll up your sleeves and get ready to organize, clean and store; by the time we're through, even the family car will have a spot of its own indoor.

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	Figure B
	Figure C
	You, too, can have an organized work bench if you follow the Queen's tips and suggestions.

Tool Bench

A tool bench often becomes the catch-all place in the garage. It's the first place in the garage to junk up and the last place to clean up. Until today!

• Combine like items in containers (figure B). Labeled, lidded coffee cans are perfect for storing smaller items; don't use glass containers, if they drop on the concrete floor, you'll have shards of glass everywhere.

• Use a pegboard above the tool bench for organized tool storage (figure C). With a magic marker, outline the shape of the tools on the board so everyone in the family will know the proper storage place for every tool.

• Check home improvement stores for a variety of lidded and open containers that fit the pegs. Hang seldom used tools on the same peg arm to save space.

• Keep a plastic tool chest filled with small tools that are often needed around the home. A plastic tool chest is a better choice than metal; metal is heavier and can rust if it sits on the floor. Keep the chest under, of close to, the tool bench, so it will be easy to find in case of an emergency.

• Hang bungee cords off the side of the bench or adjacent shelving to prevent tangled cords.

• Place sharp objects in bins beneath the bench to prevent accidents.

• Keep paper towels and hand cleaner within easy reach on the tool bench.

• And finally, return all the borrowed tools back to the neighbors.

Tip: Keep debris out of the electric garage door track, to keep it operating smoothly.