Indoor Winter Storage Versus a Damp Shed

For winter storage, choose a dry, sheltered indoor location over a damp shed whenever possible. Moisture can encourage blade corrosion and harm electrical parts, while batteries and gasoline-powered trimmers have additional storage requirements. If a shed is your only option, prepare the trimmer carefully and keep it off the damp floor.

Indoor storage or a damp shed?

A dry garage, utility room, or other protected space is generally preferable to a shed that stays damp or has a leaking roof. Stable, dry conditions help protect the blade, fasteners, switches, and battery contacts from moisture. Keep the trimmer away from heaters, open flames, and household areas where fuel fumes could pose a risk.

A shed can be suitable if it is dry, secure, and protected from rain and condensation. If it regularly feels damp, develops condensation, or has standing water, choose another location—especially for a cordless trimmer or a trimmer with exposed metal parts.

Prepare the trimmer before storing it

1. Make it safe to handle. Switch it off and follow the manual’s instructions for isolating the power source. Remove the battery from a cordless model. For a corded trimmer, unplug it. For a gas model, let the engine cool completely before handling or storing it.
2. Clean the blade. Brush off leaves, sap, and dirt using the method recommended by the manufacturer. Wear gloves and keep your hands clear of the cutting edges; do not reach between the blades.
3. Dry it thoroughly. Wipe away moisture and let the trimmer air-dry before covering or putting it away. Avoid sealing a damp trimmer in a bag or cover, which can trap moisture.
4. Protect the blade. Apply blade lubricant if the manual calls for it, then fit the blade sheath. Store the trimmer where the blade cannot be bumped or reached accidentally.
5. Check the storage instructions for its power source. Battery and fuel guidance varies by model, so use the manufacturer’s manual rather than assuming one procedure fits every trimmer.

Storage by power source

Cordless hedge trimmers

Remove the battery and store it separately in a dry place within the temperature range specified in its manual. Do not leave it in a damp shed, in direct sunlight, or near a heat source. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for its charge level and whether it should be checked during storage; battery guidance differs by type and model. Store the battery where its contacts cannot touch metal objects.

Corded hedge trimmers

Unplug the trimmer and keep the cord loosely coiled without sharp bends or heavy items on top of it. Store the tool and cord in a dry place, with the blade covered. Do not put it away while damp.

Gas hedge trimmers

Store the trimmer only after it has cooled. Fuel storage requirements depend on the engine and fuel system: the manual may call for a particular fuel treatment or for draining fuel before long-term storage. Follow those instructions, and store fuel only in an approved container in a suitable, well-ventilated location away from living spaces, ignition sources, and the trimmer. Never store a gas trimmer where fuel fumes can collect indoors.

If you have to use a damp shed

First address leaks and standing water if possible. Store the trimmer on a shelf or wall hanger rather than directly on a concrete or soil floor, and keep it away from exterior walls that collect condensation. Make sure the tool is completely dry before fitting its sheath or cover. Keep batteries indoors in a dry location, and follow the gas engine’s separate fuel-storage instructions.

Check the trimmer before using it again. Look for rust, damaged insulation, loose parts, and a battery or fuel condition that does not match the manual’s requirements. Do not operate a tool with damaged wiring, a swollen or leaking battery, or a binding or visibly damaged blade; have it serviced or replace the affected part as appropriate.