Cleaning and organizing your garage can be a daunting task. If it’s been a while since you’ve really gone through it, then chances are it’s become somewhat of a free-for-all for your excess junk. As the winter season approaches in many parts of the country, many homeowners desire to clear-up their garage for car space.
Using a garage for storage in the warmer months is logical, but when the snow starts to fall and freezing temperatures set in, your vehicle needs some places to take shelter and having a clean garage will be a major benefit.
Take Everything Out of Your Garage
When you decide to clean your garage, you should approach it as an entire project, not just a quick rearrangement and a sweeping. Remove all of your belongings so you can give your garage a deep, thorough cleaning. This will also make it easier to access everything and streamline the organization process.
De-Clutter and Get Rid of You Don’t Use
It’s easy to get sentimental while you’re going through a bunch of stuff you probably haven’t looked at in a while. Do you really need your old roller blades though? Or the sled you had as a kid and haven’t touched in a decade? Probably not.
If you haven’t used it in the past year, more than likely you won’t use it again and at this point it’s just clutter. Sort your possessions into piles. Designate each one as items you’re keeping, donating, selling, or simply trashing.
Start to Clean the Floors and Other Areas
That’s why we’re doing this in the first place, right?! Give your belongings a fresh new spot to settle back in to. Hose off or wipe down the items themselves and then turn your attention to the garage.
Start with clearing cobwebs and debris from the ceiling, lights, windows, and door with a duster and a broom to reach those tough corners. Next, wipe down the windows, walls, and doors with cleaning solution or at least soapy water to eliminate grime that has accumulated. Once those are sparkling, sweep, mop, and scrub the floor until it looks as good as new!
Organize the Items You Intend to Keep Stored
Don’t just shove your de-cluttered piles back into your garage as is—you need to come up with an organization plan. Figure out what storage solutions will work best for what you have and your space. Consider using a peg board to hang items, installing shelves, organizing items into bins, or even securing a backyard shed for some extra storage space.
Adapt your organizational system to your routine by placing the things you use more often in easily accessible areas. Be sure to label everything too, so it’s easier for you and your family members to maintain your freshly cleaned garage!
If your garage is especially covered with grime and cobwebs or you find it getting more and more difficult to close the door because it’s overflowing with stuff, you might want to consider investing in a new one altogether!
At Amish Barn Company we offer gorgeous pre-built garages and custom-made garages to meet all of your storage and backyard needs. Our structures are authentically Amish-built, and available in one and two-story models. Browse our products online or give us a call to get started on finding the garage that works best for you!