[anarch]

I grew up with this as a child, seeing my father rummaging about through a messy work bench. My step-father did it and so did my husband. Is there any way to help them organize their work areas (or bribes to at least get them to clean them once in a while)?

[Cyd]

DH's work bench is in the garage. I hung an old roller blind on the ceiling which can be pulled down to hide mess.
Sometimes bribery " I will do such and such for you...if you will spend 2, 15 minutes sessions putting your stuff away..."

I totally stopped helping DH and DKs hunt for missing/misplaced stuff. When they ask/complain/whine...I look at them like they are speaking in a language I don't understand. If they get mouthly, I just shrug and walk away. The result is that they put stuff way for 10 days or so. Warning: if you do this you must be consistent.