Maintenance Tips for Prolonging the Life of Wooden Pallets

Properly maintaining your wooden pallets is paramount for several reasons. Most notably, it can help reduce operational costs and support your brand’s sustainability efforts. The longer you have your pallets, the less your impact on the environment and the world’s limited resources will be. According to the National Wooden Pallet and Container Association, about 25 million wooden pallets are still being sent to landfills each year.

Below, we’ll provide some tips for prolonging the life of your wooden pallets, including how to clean, store, and inspect them for damage.

The Importance of Maintaining Wooden Pallets

Maintaining wooden pallets takes time and effort but ultimately pays off. Anything that reduces waste is generally worth pursuing, and by maintaining, fixing, or recycling your wooden pallets rather than discarding them, you’ll be helping to limit the amount of waste sent to the landfill. In addition to contributing to a company's sustainability efforts, maintaining your supply of wooden pallets can cut replacement costs, providing extra money for other investments. 

There are also clear safety advantages to ensuring your wooden pallets are in good condition. Pallets are designed to bear heavy loads; keeping them well-maintained will help ensure your employees’ safety.

Keep Pallets Clean and Sanitized

It’s easy to overlook the importance of keeping your wooden pallets clean and sanitized. After all, they’re not public-facing, and it’s generally considered acceptable for such equipment to be less than sparkling clean.

Spending time cleaning your pallets can significantly extend their lifespan. A wooden pallet that attracts pests or mold will become contaminated and require replacement.

A little bit of cleaning effort goes a long way with wooden pallets. You can remove debris with a hard-bristle broom or pressure washer. You can also soak or scrub away dirt with a mixture of dish soap, vinegar or bleach, and water.

Store Pallets Properly

Wooden pallets are sturdy, but they’re not invincible. If they’re left out in the elements, they’ll eventually begin to show signs of wear and tear. If you can, try to keep your pallets indoors, away from the effects of weather conditions.

If that’s not possible, you can protect your pallets by using waterproof covers and elevating them off the ground. Be mindful of overloading when stacking your wooden pallets; the pallets on top might be fine, but the pressure of the load could damage the pallets toward the bottom of the stack. 

Organizing your use of wooden pallets can also help you track which pallets are the oldest so you can use them first.

Utilize Best Practices for Handling

If you do not adhere to proper handling practices, especially when attempting to move heavy loads, you'll be more likely to damage your wooden pallets. Using a forklift or pallet jack is always best rather than trying to move them manually.

Manual handling should be kept to a minimum as standard procedure, as many pallet-based injuries occur due to manual movement. By transporting pallets correctly, you’ll keep your team safe and reduce the risk of damage to your pallets, too.

Of course, having procedures for transporting your wooden pallets won’t be effective if your staff doesn’t know what they are. Invest in their training and hold regular refresher sessions.

Incorporate Regular Inspections

Repairing a wooden pallet is much easier if the damage is caught early, so it’s recommended that you carry out frequent inspections of your pallets. Wooden pallets that only bear light loads can be inspected every 1-2 months. Based on their usage, you may want to inspect pallets that transport heavy items more frequently.

During your inspection, look for loose nails, cracks, splinters, or any other signs of wear. If you notice damage, stop using the pallet until it can be repaired. It’s also important to periodically check that your pallets can still handle their intended load. Working with a pallet load testing company is advisable.

Repair Broken or Damaged Pallets

Sometimes, it’s evident that a damaged pallet must be discarded. But if the pallet has only sustained light damage, it may be possible to repair rather than replace it. 

For example, if there are loose nails, there’s no reason not to repair the pallet in-house. Look for repair tutorials for more complicated damage, such as broken boards or structural damage. However, pallet repair experts like Challenger Pallet can also help restore them to their highest quality. 

Know When to Retire and Replace Pallets

Of course, at some point, you’ll have to acknowledge that repairing your wooden pallets is no longer a viable option. This is especially important if there’s any sort of safety issue, at which point the pallets should be retired from service.

There are many ways to upcycle wooden pallets, including building an outdoor deck, an outdoor shower, or an outdoor picnic area. You can also use them for animal bedding or firewood. 

Contact Challenger Pallet

Maintaining your wooden pallets is good for your business, your bank account, and the planet. Follow our tips to maximize the lifespan of your pallets. If you are looking for new or used pallets in Idaho, Utah, or Montana, don’t hesitate to contact our team.