How to Roll Up a Hose on a Reel

Did you just buy a hose reel and are looking for how to roll it up, especially when it is idle? Well, many hose reel owners wonder about this. So we will explain everything you must know on the topic. 

Afterward, you will be able to tuck your hose neatly around the reel. So what is the deal with wrapping your hose? 

Why Roll Up Your Loose Hose? 

A loose hose can span several yards. Imagine this loose material lying near your porch or in your backyard. First off, this is not the best sight there is. Secondly, there are other risks. For example, little children and seniors may trip to the hose. This can cause injury. No wonder homeowners prefer to fold or roll their idle hose on the reel. 

Further, a loose hose can become damaged sooner. When it is left open to hot or cold weather, it can weaken the hose. Also, huge weights on the pipe can cause it to burst or break. With a bad hose, you have the difficult choice of managing it or forking out precious money to repair or replace the equipment.  So we recommend you roll up your loose hose. 

It is better to roll up a hose but what will you be needing? Let us see. 

How to Roll Up a Hose on a Reel

The Materials You Will Need to Roll up a Hose

To roll up your idle hose, you will need: 


  • Garden hose
  • Hose reel
  • Cleaning cloth (optional)
  • Gloves (optional)

You only really need a hose and its reel. The other items such as cleaning cloth and gloves are optional. The cleaning cloth will help you wipe excess dirt off the hose. This step may be unnecessary if the hose is clean. Also, a pair of gloves protects your hands by keeping them clean. However, it is possible to use your bare hands and then later take a rinse by the tap.  

Before rolling up your piece of equipment, some housekeeping are in order. Consider these preparatory steps. 

Preparing to Roll up Your Hose on a Reel

Now that you have all the materials ready, you begin to prepare for the rolling. Here’s a list of steps you will often follow for this process: 

  1. Inspect the hose
  2. Check for any leaks, damage, or kinks
  3. Drain excess water
  4. Clean the Hose

Before wrapping up your hose, remember to inspect it. Look around the body of the hose. Are there any breaks, leaks, or damage? You should consider replacing or repairing a bad hose, especially when using it that way will result in a mess and reduce work efficiency. 

However, a working hose is ready to be rolled but ensure to drain all the excess water or liquid in the pipes. Clean the body of the hose if you notice any dirt on it. Also, you can use water to flush or clean the inside of the hose. 

How to Roll Up a Hose on a Reel

A Step-By-Step Guide to Remove Water from the Hose 

A dry or drained hose is easier to roll and store. Also, it is better to store it in a dry condition. Otherwise, the excess water in the device can cause it to damage, especially when the water freezes during the winter. 

You can drain your hose by following these easy steps:

  1. First, turn off the water. This prevents further water from entering the hose.
  2. Next, remove the hose from the source. 
  3. Then straighten the hose so that no part is coiled. Often, you will find water in the rumpled parts. 
  4. Raise one end of the hose so the water content flows to the other end, exiting the hose. You can shake the hose gently to remove any additional water.  

How to Clean the Hose

Remember, cleaning your hose will help it last long. Clean the inside and outside of the hose. Here are quick tips to help you achieve this:

  1. Shake out loose debris. Sometimes, you may find loose rocks or other sediments in the hose. You can often extract these dirts with a simple shake. 
  2. Next, rinse the interior. The pressure from the water will flush out any hidden debris. 
  3. For stubborn blockages, you may need to insert a hose cleaner or brush. Move the cleaner so it pushes out the blockage. 
  4. The next step is to dry the hose, especially if you plan to store it safely over a long period. 
How to Roll Up a Hose on a Reel

Steps to Roll Up the Hose on a Reel

After draining any excess water and cleaning up the hose, you’re ready to roll it up. 

  1. Position the Reel
  2. Attach the Hose to the Reel
  3. Begin Rolling
  4. Adjust the hose and secure to the reel

#1 Position the Reel

If you are using a manual, handrolled reel, ensure to keep the hose reel on a steady surface like the wall or floor. Or you can use a reel stand. Check to see that you can reach the handle of the reel and that it moves smoothly. 

#2 Attach the Hose to the Reel

The next step is to join the hose and reel together. There is usually an inlet by the side or center of the reel. Plug the hose in the inlet and ensure it is tightly in place. When it is well fastened, there is less risk of leaks or tangling during the rolling process. 

#3 Begin Rolling

On the manual reel, turn the handle with one hand while using your free hand to guide the hose. Ensure that the hose rolling is tight to avoid unexpected curls which can turn into a knob or tangled rope. 

#4 Adjust and Secure

Is the roll smooth and even? Check for this as you roll. Fix any twist or loop that may appear. Once the rolling is complete, remember to secure the end of the reel. Use a clip or holder to do this. This final step prevents the hose from unfastening and coming apart. 

How to Roll Up a Hose on a Reel

Tips and Tricks for Easy Hose Rolling

Rolling a manual hose can be a cause for stress but there are few tips to help smoothen your experience. 

The most obvious tip is to straighten the hose before rolling. This will prevent damage and ensure the hose is rolled neatly on the reel. You can briefly run water through the hose to straighten out stiff or curved parts. This way, rolling is easier. 

Also, you choose to inspect the hose while rolling. See this process as an opportunity to inspect the hose closely. Look out for cracks or wear. These signs may signal the need for repair or maintenance.  

Remember that an automatic winder or retractable reel can make rolling so much easier. You can order these advanced reels online. 

Finally, store your rolled hose reel in the shade, such as on the side of your porch or patio. Protecting your hose this way will lengthen the lifespan and keep it safe from damage. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Rolling a Hose

When it comes to rolling hose on a reel, there are a few mistakes you can run into. Below, we discuss these mistakes and how you can avoid them: 

How to Roll Up a Hose on a Reel

Rolling the Hose While It’s Still Pressurized

A pressurized hose has water in it and is thus inflated. Rolling the hose with water in it can cause cracks or damage. You can depressurize the hose by turning off the water supply and emptying the tube. 

Overlapping the Hose Layers Unevenly

If a part of the hose is tangled or curved, it is unfit for rolling. So ensure to straighten the length of the hose before rolling. Also, remember to distribute the hose around the reel when rolling. 

Ignoring Signs of Wear or Leaks

Cuts and wear on hose can worsen with time if you manage them. Hence, we do not advise using the hose all the time without any routine check. A perfectly functional hose is more efficient and a delight to use. 

How to Roll Up a Hose on a Reel

Our Best Tips for Maintaining and Storing Your Hose Reel

Here are our best tips for maintaining and storing your hose reel:

  1. Keep the Reel Clean: For a hose reel, cleanliness is not just aesthetics. A dirty reel or hose with dust and debris can hinder its use. For example, it may be difficult to roll the hose on the reel and the water pressure may be reduced. So be sure to remove dirt and debris. 
  1. Oil Moving Parts: On a manual hose reel, lubricating parts such as the handle and wheel can improve the usage experience. However, be sure to use a safe or recommended lubricant. 
  1. Avoid Storing Under Sunlight: Storing your hose reel under the sun can cause it to damage sooner. It's preferred you keep it in a shade away from the sun. Our storage hose reel box is a great hose accessory for this reason.
  1. Inspect the Equipment: A routine check can help you notice when a screw is coming off or when there is a tear on the hose. Promptly noticing faults will allow you to fix them early before it worsens. 
  1. Carefully Store the Hose in Winter: Winter can be really hard on the hose. The low temperatures during the winter will cause water in the hose to expand. This unnatural expansion can lead to a burst or tear, thus damaging the hose. You should store the hose indoors during the winter. Also, remember to drain all the water content before storing. 
How to Roll Up a Hose on a Reel

Our Last Words

A manual hose reel is much more difficult to maintain and handle. However, some users may prefer it because of the slightly cheaper price markup. We hope you can better organize your hose with the covered tips. 

Remember, you can save time and effort when you shop our retractable garden hose reel. You may also pick our hand-rolled reel hose. 

FAQs

How Often Should I Clean My Hose?

This will depend on how you use the hose and the usage frequency. Still, it is a good idea to clean every few months if there is heavy dirt or mud in the area. 

What If My Hose Reel Is Manual?

Most of the discussed tips address the manual hose reel. This reel type is still popular despite its limitations. You can buy the easier to maintain retractable reel. Or you can stick to the good old manual hose reel. 

Can I Use This Method for All Types of Hoses?

Yes. Although the methods above were written primarily for garden hoses, the various hose types such as the  garden or air hose, work similarly. Hence, these methods are useful for different hose types,