How to Spring Clean Your Garage in 5 Steps

Photo courtesy Platinum Garage Solutions

Summer is coming, and so will the desire to have an organized garage. You won’t want to maneuver around cluttered boxes when you’re getting ready for the first BBQ of the season.

Clutter is stressful, making “organize the garage” the last thing you want to do, but a clean garage can create a healthier and happier lifestyle. Just like a burnt dinner, some things just need a fresh start. Here’s how to spring clean your garage in five steps.

Step 1: Remove Everything

First things first, remove everything in your garage. Put all of your items in the driveway, working in phases if you don’t want to take everything out at once. Clearing the garage will make it easier for you to see your space and make it easier to organize when you get to that step.

When all of your shelves are cleared, you’re ready to start sorting your belongings. Don’t be surprised if you find that you have more than one of the same item! It happens.

Step 2: Separate Items into Categories

The soccer ball you stored for your child
should not be in the same box as your electric saw. For obvious reasons. As you
move items from your garage to your driveway, separate them into categories
that make sense. Consider the following common categories:

SportsAutoLawn and GardenToolsSeasonal

Your categories may look different depending
on your hobbies and interests.

Next, decide what you want to keep and what
needs to go. Do you really need that pool floaty that popped last summer? No.
Throw it away. Identify which items need to be tossed out or recycled and the
things that can be donated or sold. (Hint: If you haven’t used it in the last
year, it’s probably time to say your sweet goodbyes.)

Also say goodbye to anything that’s unfixable and items you no longer have a use for in your current lifestyle. Once you’ve decided on the items you need (or want) to keep, we can get to the fun part – cleaning and organizing.

Step 3: Give Your Garage a Good Cleaning

Now that your garage is cleared out, it might be a good idea to clear out those cobwebs. To clean the garage, start from top to bottom. Dust the top of cabinets and shelves, wipe down walls with a wet cloth or mop, and then sweep and mop the floor. Maybe even give it a fresh coat of paint. After the garage is clean, you can get to my personal favorite part of spring cleaning your garage – organizing.

Step 4: Create Zones

Create zones in the garage for the categories you made in Step 2. Where do you want to keep your snow skis versus your weed killer? This is entirely up to you. It’s your garage, so you get to decide where to place all of your belongings. Once you’ve decided what will work best for you and your family, put the items into the appropriate zones.

Step 5: Maximize Your Storage Space

Cabinets are a great way to maximize your garage storage space. With
everything behind closed doors, your garage will have the clean, finished look
you’ve always wanted. If you
decide to purchase garage cabinets, look for sturdy shelves that won’t bow
under the weight of your items and that will withstand regular daily use. A
durable cabinet solution is well worth the investment.

Need a little more inspiration? Here are seven ways to eliminate garage clutter.

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Megan Kezell is from Platinum Garage Solutions, a garage enhancement business in Omaha. When she isn’t writing about organization, she can be found exploring the great outdoors or spending time with friends.

The post How to Spring Clean Your Garage in 5 Steps appeared first on Declutter Your Life with Donna Smallin Kuper.