How To Start Cleaning Your Garage
January 20, 2023
Anything that doesn’t have a place in the house usually goes in the garage. If you’re using your garage as a storage area, it’s possible that you haven’t fixed any of your organizational problems at home—and that your garage is in desperate need of a makeover. With this to-do list, you can reclaim your garage and restore order.
STEP1: Remove Everything & Get Your Supplies Ready
Remove all of the things in your garage and into your driveway or yard.
Take one corner at a time, so you would not feel overwhelmed with all the clutter. Simply getting it out would allow you to evaluate what you have, keep track of the amount of dirt you will be cleaning, and remember to remain committed in finishing this task.
Have your towels, bucket, a broom, and cleaning spray ready. You can also have a measuring tape and some big, sturdy garbage bags or storage bins on hand for sorting.
Start cleaning your garage by hosing down areas of your garage that are very dirty.
Step 2: SORT
If you’ve had everything out of the garage, sort everything into three piles: Keep, Donate/Sell, and Eliminate.
Remove one item at a time, then return to the Keep pile and remove items once more.
Be honest, ask yourself if you can still use it or if you’ve used it in the last year. Keeping items that need repairing because you think your kids can still use them or might come in handy in the future are the kind of things that clutter your garage.
By sorting, you can even earn a little more money by selling those items to retailers or to those who buy back or sell used equipment on consignment.
The most challenging item to sort is your tools/equipment, because we all dreamt of being Bob the Builder, and being able to repair all sorts of problems in the house. Evaluate what you use most, what you can borrow or rent. Allow your husband to keep a tool bench/workstation area if he is a handyman, especially if it is a hobby,while keeping it organized and functional.
Discard right away the things that are broken, rusted, or past their prime. Let go & stop hoarding items in the hopes that one day you will be able to repair them.
Keep one rust-free edition of each tool you commonly use if you’re a gardener. Toss out seeds that are more than a year old (most won’t thrive after that, and pests love them), and make sure all pots and planting equipment are clean and dry before storing.
properly disposed of chemicals, paint, and other similar objects that have outlived their usefulness. Contact your local recycling and waste management to learn how to properly get rid of those items.
Step 3: Look for Storage Solutions
You can have some fascinating storage dilemmas depending on what you have in your garage and what you need to store.
Almost all in the garage seems to be uniquely shaped—either it’s very, very big and bulky (like weed trimmers, chainsaws, or sports equipment) or very small and easy to lose (like nails, screws, bits or gardening markers)
Several organization experts suggested using peg boards instead of workbench. Using bins/containers also works best for tools. Small bottles with clearly labeled lids are great for sorting the oddly shaped accessories. Shelving may be used to store larger objects like saws and electrical equipment. Toolboxes should be placed off the ground and out of direct sunlight.
Ball bins, big totes, or even repurposed garbage cans are ideal for storing baseball bats, rackets, balls, and other bulky sports equipment. You can easily organize everything on a shallow shelf if you sort carefully to eliminate everything but the most important items.
Remove bikes, kayaks, and other large objects from the floor to minimize risk. Hang them in the garage on ceiling racks that are securely held in place to support beams. Large objects such as ladders, shovels, rakes, and other equipment may be hung to keep the ground clear of debris to provide a secure resting place for each piece.
Consider the storage options you’ll use for the items that you do have. Gather all storage bins, hooks, needed in storing your items.
Step 4: Seal Cracks and Repair Hazards
Your garage is frequently not heated or cooled. Temperature changes and moisture allows the growth of mold & mildew. Most of us don’t spend a lot of time in our garages, all of these problems will go overlooked, by then it’ll be too late to fix them.
Any holes should be patched with spray-in foam, sealant, or any flexible coating.
This is also a good time to inspect the wires in and around your garage to ensure that nothing has been chewed on or poses a fire hazard. Examine everything that may be exposed and, if necessary, seek professional assistance.
Clean the gutters outside your garage and keep an eye out for water damage. This is also a safe time to inspect the lighting, locks, alarms, and window seals.
Step 4: Clean, Wash, & Repaint
Clean all of the corners, scrub the garage walls, and double-check that it is dust-free. This will keep all of the dirt out of your house in the future. Remember to wear a mask to protect yourself from any spider webs, mouse droppings, bugs, or chemicals that you may inhale.
To protect from future damage, install an affordable garage floor protector or a piece of indoor/outdoor carpeting or rug will do.
A clear coat of white latex paint will keep surfaces looking new and help avoid mildew. Caulk around the windows and any seals that are broken or leaking. You don’t have to sew curtains or hang wall decals, but if you want to add a decorative touch, it could make you feel more like a “extension of your home” and keep things tidy in the future.
Step 6: Re-Organize
Put the items back in order and arrange your areas—tools, sporting goods, car maintenance, storage (in a few well designated bins), and gardening—now that you have a beautiful, tidy, and organized garage.
If you keep garbage and compost in your garage, make sure it is sealed and closed to keep odors and critters at bay. In case of spills, place a mat or paper under the can. Spray the trash can with baking soda once a month to keep odors from spreading in the garage.
Keep removing and eliminating when you return your things to the garage. Ideally, you want a garage that is well-organized and functional. Get rid of items that have no use to save space.
Cleaning out your garage can be incredibly rewarding and motivating! Although the task can be challenging, the results are well worth the effort. You’ll not only save money and keep your house cleaner, but you’ll also protect your investment in your vehicle, bikes, and other things by storing them in a safe, dry environment, and have the room to work on new ideas you never had before.
Green Army’s garage- cleaning service is here to help you if you find yourself having trouble cleaning & organizing your garage. We are the best help you can get in keeping your garage clean, call us today!
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