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Garages are really useful spaces. Most people don’t use them to store vehicles; instead, they are a dumping ground for bicycles, gardening equipment, tools, sports equipment, and more. While this is handy, it does inevitably mean that eventually, your garage will start to feel disorganized and cluttered.
Thankfully, cleaning out your garage doesn’t need to be a daunting task. With a bit of forethought and some organizational skills, your garage will end up being super tidy. You may even decide to turn it into a home gym or office space once you have finished cleaning it out!
Set Aside Ample Time
Cleaning out a garage is not something that can be done in a few hours. It requires time and dedication. Set aside a full day or even a weekend to tackle this project. Make sure you have enough time to sort through all the items and properly clean the space. Don’t forget to factor in the time it will take to remove unwanted items to various locations.
If you have things that you’d like to keep but not at home, look at local self storage units.
Create a Sorting System
Before you start cleaning, create a sorting system to help you categorize everything. This will make it easier to decide what to keep, donate, sell, or discard. Consider using different colored bins or labels to distinguish between categories. For example, use red for items to discard, blue for items to sell, and green for items to keep – or whatever works best for you.
Empty Everything
Pick a fine day and then clear everything out of your garage. This will allow you to see the space clearly and make it easier to clean. As you empty the garage, sort items into their respective categories.
Clean and Repair
Once your garage is empty, take the opportunity to thoroughly clean and repair the space. Sweep the floors, wipe down surfaces, and remove any cobwebs or debris. If there are any repairs needed, such as fixing shelves or repairing walls, sort this out before putting everything back.
Declutter and Downsize
As you go through your belongings, be ruthless in decluttering and downsizing. Ask yourself if you really need each item and if it serves a purpose. Get rid of items that are no longer useful or meaningful to you. Donating or selling these items will not only free up space in your garage but also benefit others who could use them.
Organize and Label
Once you have decided what to keep, organize your belongings in a way that makes sense to you. Use storage solutions such as shelves, bins, and hooks to maximize space and keep things tidy. Label boxes and bins so you can easily find items when you need them in the future.
Utilize Vertical Space
Don’t forget to utilize the vertical space in your garage. Install wall-mounted shelves, pegboards, or overhead storage racks to make the most of the available space. This will help keep the floor clear and create a more organized and functional garage. Bicycles take up less space when they are stored using a ceiling-mounted pulley system.
Regular Maintenance
To keep your garage clean and organized in the long run, establish a regular maintenance routine. Set aside time every few months to declutter and reorganize. This will prevent things from accumulating and make it much easier to clean the garage in the future.
With the right approach, cleaning a garage is a manageable project. If you follow our advice, you’ll have a clean and organized garage that is both functional and efficient. Happy cleaning!
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