Help keep your family organized by spring cleaning your garage. All you need is a little elbow grease and a few great organizational tips, and you’re ready to get your garage in tip-top shape!
Let the cleanup begin
The first step in taking your garage from a disorganized mess to a functional extension of your home is to do a cleanup.
- Sweep or shop-vac the garage floor. Move boxes, storage units, bikes and the like around to allow you to do a thorough job. Help keep dirt from coming into the house by placing a rubber mat in the garage and by keeping a boot tray near the door for messy footwear.
- Wash dust and grime off shelves.
- Clear away the clutter. Toss out anything that can’t be repaired, sell or give away those items you longer need and put away all the items that don’t belong in your garage space.
Take stock of your garage
- Consider your answers to the following questions: What do you need to store in your garage? Are there items that can be kept elsewhere? What are the seasonal items you need to have clear access to? What items do you use most often? This will help guide you when planning your garage space.
- Keeping common items stored together is garage organization 101, so separate your items into specific categories, such as gardening tools, sports gear, automotive supplies, camping equipment, Christmas decorations, cleaning supplies and whatever else you plan on storing. Having similar items grouped together will make it easier to find what you need.
Practical storage solutions
- Use your wall space. Keep things out of the way by keeping them off of the floor. Large wall hooks are perfect for hanging up golf bags, bikes, various other sports gear and ladders.
- To keep them handy, secure rakes, brooms, hoses, the weed trimmer and any other yard maintenance tool you will use on a regualar basis to a mounted pegboard near the front of the garage.
- If you have the space, set up a workbench. A clear, flat workspace will be useful for your do-it-yourself projects. Use a pegboard on the wall above to store things such as a hammers, drills, extension cords and other commonly used items, then set up shelves underneath for the storage of larger items like paint cans, tool chests and large tools.
- Install wooden shelves, rack units and built-in cabinets. Securely mounted shelving can be placed almost anywhere and is perfect for boxes of outdoor decorations and camping gear. The space underneath can be a great place to stash bikes, skateboards, scooters or anything else your children use frequently.
- Create an accessible recycling center. Place your recycle bins on shelves by the door so they can be readily reached.
A few more tips
- Keep the items you use most often easily accessible.
- Label all your storage boxes so you can find what you need.
- Consider adding a locked cabinet for the storage of toxic or harmful substances.
More on home organization
Get your pantry organized
How to clear clutter
Spring clean: Your toiletries/bathroom drawers
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