Even if you use ratchet straps often, you can expect the average ratchet strap to last you a good two to three years. However, this relies on you looking after them, and the number one things that can help increase the lifespan of your ratchet straps is storing them properly.It may be tempting to leave them out, especially after a long day of hauling heavy cargo from A to B. However, poor storage can lead to mould, colour fading, mildew, burns and tears - all things you’ll want to avoid if you’re looking to get the most out of your ratchet straps.To ensure yours keep working for years to come, here are some of our top tips when it comes to how to store ratchet straps.

Be it the extreme heat of the summer or the harsh cold of the winter, neither is good news for your ratchet straps. Intense heat can cause discoloration, as well as causing the webbing to weaken. On the flip side, exposing your ratchet straps to the cold can cause them to crack over time.An easy solution to avoiding both of these issues is to invest in a suitable storage bag for your ratchet straps. A duffle bag is a great option for this, although any high quality bag big enough to hold your ratchet strap should also suffice. The key is keeping your straps out of the way of the harsh weather when not in use.

Do you ever get fed up with your earphones always getting tangled while in your pocket? Improper storage causes you to spend time sitting there untangling the mess - and the same thing can happen to your ratchet straps if you don’t store them away properly when not in use.Fortunately, there’s an easy way to avoid a tangle of straps by making use of rubber bands. Simply use them to fold and tie up your ratchet straps to avoid any unnecessary tangles. For an even more secure option, you can use zip ties instead, to minimise the risk of the ratchet straps coming loose or the rubber bands breaking during transit.

If you don’t have a suitable bag or the tools necessary to avoid your ratchet straps getting tangled, you can avoid the issues involved with storing ratchet straps by opting for auto retractable ratchet straps instead.Unlike traditional ratchet straps, auto retractable ratchet straps keep their webbing secure in a simple drum and ratchet mechanism that can be extended when needed. When done, the webbing can be retracted back into the mechanism at the push of a button, eliminating the need to tie down the straps when not in use - and making storing ratchet straps much easier.