5 Things You Need To Know When Cleaning Out Your Garage

Cleaning the garage may seem like a daunting task but here are 5 steps you can use to help clear the clutter and reclaim your garage.

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Home Garage

A home garage can be used for a lot of things, park your vehicle, store tools, and items to keep the house from being cluttered, run a home business, or have band practice, there are just endless possibilities for a garage.

Sometimes a garage can turn into a dumping ground for things you don't want in the house, or things were not put away properly, or you haven't used the space properly to store your items in the first place.

5 Steps On Cleaning Your Garage

Before I get to the garage cleaning tips you may want to think about a few things before you get started. Having someone to help you, checking the weather since you will need to take things outside of your garage, maybe rent a storage container to put your stuff in if the job is going to take more than a day to complete. You may want to buy some storage bins, racks, or shelves so that when you put everything back in the garage you have a place for everything and perhaps make some more room. Have some boxes for items you plan on not putting back in your garage.

Step 1: Empty Your Garage

In order to clean your garage, you need to get everything out of it first. Try to put similar items together and give yourself lots of room in your driveway to put your items so they are easy to see.

Having the empty garage gives you a perspective on how much space you have to work with and gives you an idea of where to put things back when you are reorganizing the space.

Step 2: Clean The Empty Garage

While your garage is empty this is the perfect time to get out the cobwebs, remove any dead bugs or mice droppings, and sweep and mop the floor. If you have any cabinets, shelves, or countertops, this will be a great time to scrub them clean. You might have a refrigerator or freezer, wipe these down, and don't forget to clean out the vents on the back. If you mop the floor, make sure and let it dry completely before putting items back in because if you don't this could lead to mold.

Step 3: What To Keep

Once you get your stuff out of your garage you are going to have to make some choices as to what is going to go back in, what needs to be thrown away, sold, given away, or donated.

You will need to ask yourself, have I used this in the past year? Does this work? Why is this in the garage? Having the answers to these questions will make it easy when making a decision on what to do with it.

Step 4: What To Do With The Clutter

Now that you have decided what you are going to put back in your garage, you need to figure out what to do with the clutter that is left over. You now have it out of your garage, this is a perfect time not to put it back in.

Figure out if the items you don't need have value and get those items sold. Maybe check with a family member or friends and see if they can use it. Another great way to get rid of the clutter is to donate the items. Goodwill will take just about anything that is still usable even old rags and clothes. If you don't need it, or it's broken, and it can't be donated or recycled then throw it away.

Step 5: Organize

Now it's time to put your stuff back in your garage. You have a chance now to really get things organized so take advantage of it because it will make the next time you clean up the garage much easier.

Storage bins, shelves, tool chests, cabinets, pegboards, and even "S" hooks and other hanging devices can really lead to a highly organized garage. These items can help you when you are looking for something plus clear the clutter for your peace of mind. The best thing to remember is when you are done using something, put it back where you got it.

Hopefully, these ideas will help you clean and organize your garage, I know they are going to help me because that is what I will be doing this weekend.