A Simple System for Taming Loose Screws, Nails and Fixings

Almost every home workshop has one: a battered tin or jam jar full of mixed screws, nails, washers and odd bolts. It feels thrifty to keep every one, but when you need a particular size you can spend more time rummaging than working. A simple sorting system turns that tangle into something calm and useful, and it needs little more than a free afternoon and some containers you may already own.

Why it is worth the effort

Good organisation saves time and money. When you can see what you have, you stop buying duplicates, and you are less likely to push a fixing that is almost the right size into a job. Using the right screw matters too: the wrong length can poke through the other side of a board, or fail to hold at all. A tidy collection also makes it easier to spot when you are running low.

Step 1: Empty and sift

Tip everything on to a tray or an old baking sheet with a lip, so that nothing rolls away. Work somewhere with good light. Throw away anything badly rusted, bent or with stripped heads, since these will let you down when it counts. Be gentle with sharp points, and consider thin gloves if you have a lot of nails. Keep any sentimental or unusual bits in a separate small box so that they do not clutter your everyday stock.

Step 2: Sort by type first

Start with the broad groups:

• Wood screws
• Machine screws and bolts, with their nuts and washers
• Nails and panel pins
• Self-tapping and plasterboard screws
• Wall plugs and anchors
• Hooks, hinges and brackets
• Washers and other odd parts

Sorting by type before size keeps the job from feeling overwhelming. You will probably be surprised how quickly the piles form.

Step 3: Then sort by size

Within each type, sort by length and thickness. For wood screws, the gauge (thickness) and the length are the two numbers that matter, and they are often printed on the original box. If you cannot tell, a small offcut of wood with holes drilled in it or a simple screw gauge can help. Keep a ruler nearby, and measure from the underside of the head for countersunk screws.

Step 4: Choose the containers

You do not need fancy storage. Good options include:

• Small plastic drawers or a multi-drawer cabinet
• Clear tubs with lids, which stack neatly
• Jam jars with lids screwed to the underside of a shelf, so that you can unscrew the jar and keep the lid in place
• Magnetic strips for bits and bolts you use often
• Flat-bottomed trays for plugs and washers

Pick containers that let you see the contents. If you must use opaque ones, label them clearly. Keep anything with sharp points out of the reach of children.

Step 5: Label with a sample

Stick a piece of masking tape on each box and write the size, or screw one sample fixing into the front of the drawer. A sample is easier to match than a number, and it means you can see at a glance whether you have the right one. A simple code on the lid, such as 4 x 30 for a 4 mm gauge, 30 mm long screw, works well too.

Step 6: Keep it going

A system only works if you keep using it. Put leftover fixings back in the right place at the end of each job, and do a quick top-up each time you buy a new box. Once a year, have a brief clear-out to remove anything damaged. If you are mounting a shelf soon, our guide to hanging a shelf securely explains how to match screws and plugs to your wall type, and our advice on filling small holes in plaster is handy when you move one.

Frequently asked questions

Is it worth keeping old, slightly rusty screws? Light surface rust is sometimes harmless for a hidden fixing, but badly rusted ones can snap or strip, so it is better to replace them.

How many different sizes do I really need? A small, well-chosen range covers most household jobs. Buy extra sizes only when you find you need them.

Where should I store fixings? Somewhere dry, because damp is the main cause of rust. A shelf near the bench is ideal.