How To: Care for your garden hose

Your garden hose can give you many years of good service if you treat it right. Learn how to properly care for your garden hose with this gardening how to video.

You Will Need
* A garden hose
* A rack, old tire rim, or large trash can
* New washers

Step 1: Empty it every time
When you finish using your garden hose, shut off the water and then continue spraying with the nozzle until all the water is out of it. Water left inside can damage it.
*Tip: Coiling the hose around your shoulder after you've stopped spraying will help get the last bit of water out.

Step 2: Mount a rack
Never hang the hose on a nail. Mount a hose rack on the wall of your garage or shed, and coil the hose around it, starting at the end closest to the spigot. You can also use an old wheel rim or store it in a large garbage can. Whatever method you use, keep the hose out of direct sunlight because heat can compromise the rubber or vinyl.
*Tip: Never leave your hose on the ground. It can develop fungus that causes it to rot.

Step 3: Change the washers
Change the rubber washers at the hose connections the moment they start to drip or they'll worsen quickly and run up your water bill.

*Fact
A pin-hole sized leak in a garden hose can waste as much as 170 gallons of water per day.