Tag: garage cleaning

It’s Time to Clean and Organize the Garage

Posted on by Jordank

Meant to hold an automobile and (maybe) a few tools or outdoor items, the #garage tends to attract all kinds of #stuff. Out of sight and mostly out of mind, the garage can quickly become a dumping ground for old #clothing, #boxes of memorabilia, extra furniture, sporting goods and tons of other items that don’t immediately find a place elsewhere.

The change of seasons is a great time to clean out the garage and #organize the things that make the most sense to house there — including your car. But before you start to #purge and #clean, “think about how your garage can best serve you and sketch out a plan to achieve an end result you’re happy with,” says Martha Stewart.

Examine your garage #storage needs. Maybe you have a lot of sporting goods — bicycles, watercraft or camping gear, for example. Perhaps you’re an avid gardener and need a dry space to store shovels, rakes, the lawnmower and other equipment. And of course, anything to do with a motor vehicle and its maintenance should have a space here, too.

Once you have a plan, pick a mild day and empty the garage out. Dust the rafters, sweep and vacuum, and wipe down the flat surfaces. Eliminate common nuisances such as spider webs and wasps’ nests. Sweep and mop the floors with a soapy solution or something stronger if you want to get rid of engine oil stains.

Then, wipe down whatever you decide to keep in the garage and return it to a dedicated #space. “Now is the time to create additional storage solutions,” Martha Stewart notes, by installing overhead racks and shelves for boxes and bins, pegboard #organizers for tools, hooks for bikes and kayaks, and a bench for gardening equipment.

Anything that prefers climate-controlled storage such as paper goods and fabric items should probably find a home indoors in a (dry) basement or closet. And anything you no longer need or want that doesn’t fit into your newly #organized garage can go to ClothingDonations.org by arranging a #free #donation #pickup at your convenience.

A clean and organized garage might be a place where you’ll want to spend more time when the weather permits. You may even be able to park your car there!

What Not to Store in The Garage

Posted on by Jordank

While the garage is a great place to store gardening equipment, bikes, tools and of course, a car, some things shouldn’t be stored in a garage, according to This Old House. Cans of paint won’t last in a garage that isn’t temperature-controlled, and that extra fridge or freezer will consume lots of electricity. Pet food and paper products can attract a variety of four- and six-legged vermin, and propane tanks can present a fire hazard. Keep an ABC-rated fire extinguisher in the garage to ensure safety year-round, and consider an epoxy coating for the floor to keep the space cleaner.

Storage Solutions for a Spotless Garage

Posted on by Jordank

It’s easier to keep a garage clean when everything has its place. That’s why you should find storage solutions that work for you and the oddly-sized stuff that tends to get stored there, says Living Well Spending Less. Try stacking bins or pegboard for small tools, and use labeled jars for tiny items such as nails and screws. Hang long items such as rakes, ladders and shovels on the wall, and suspend bikes, canoes and kayaks overhead. Keep the things you use most often within easy reach, and you’ll find you put them back in the right places more often.

Sell or Donate Extra Garage-Bound Goods

Posted on by Jordank

Once you’ve cleaned the garage, you might have a lot of stuff sitting in the driveway that you don’t need or want to put back on the shelves. Why not kill two birds with one stone? Put price tags on anything you don’t want and have a garage sale. At the end of the day, box up anything that’s still outside and unwanted and call ClothingDonations.org for a pickup. A truck will come at the designated time and take all of that stuff away, leaving your newly cleaned garage uncluttered and easy to maintain — and helping fund veterans’ programs.

A Top-to-Bottom Scrubdown for the Garage

Posted on by Jordank

When was the last time you gave the garage a good cleaning? Chances are it’s been a while, and there’s no better time than the dead of summer. Pick a sunny day, and begin by taking everything out, Tidy.com says. Then, start at the top with the cobwebs on the ceiling and work your way down to the floor. Dust all surfaces, wipe down the walls and sweep — and when that’s done, scrub the floor with soap, water and a hose, or give it a good powerwash. When you’re done, the garage will be so clean that you might not want to move all that extra stuff back in!