Like most homeowners, you probably don’t park your vehicle in a garage since the space is overcrowded with overflowing clutter. If that’s the case, you might want to continue reading, as, in the next few minutes, we’ll be discussing how to clear out a garage in simple steps to ensure you have enough space for your car and everything else you’d want in your garage. So, read on for the information.
Schedule The Clear Out
Clearing out a garage isn’t an easy task. It requires time and dedication. If you want a successful and hassle-free clear-out, it’s advisable to schedule the process for at least a day that you aren’t that busy, maybe a weekend. You can also ask for a hand from family and friends to help you with the task. This way, you can catch up and have a few laughs when doing the decluttering job and getting it done.
Also, when scheduling the clear-out, it’s vital to plan how you’ll deal with the unwanted stuff. Therefore, hire rubbish removal services, a provider like Same-Day Rubbish Removal, and similar ones to ensure that the clutter is collected and disposed of correctly. You don’t want to declutter your garage only to clutter your driveway.
Get Everything Out
It’s advisable to pull everything out of the garage. Start with huge items such as cars and bicycles to every small item therein. Ensure to open closed boxes at the corner to check for any forgotten valuables. Test electronics and appliances and set those working aside since they might be helpful later on.
While getting out every item in the garage seems tiring and time-consuming, this process lets you know the amount of space you have and which ideal storage options you have during the organizing process.
Decide What To Keep
Now that you have every item outside the garage, it’s time to decide what to do with each item. Start by identifying what to and not to keep. This tip ensures you go straight to doing what’s right without wasting valuable time or going through a single item now and then. When deciding what to and not to keep, ask yourself this question, ‘Is this item in the garage for a reason, or because there’s nowhere else to keep it?’ If there’s no reason for the item in question to be in the garage, either find a use for it or discard it.
Here are some items to keep when clearing out the garage:
- Those that you use more than once a year
- Tools you can easily borrow or rent
- Items in good working condition
Also, when deciding what to keep, it’s essential to consider your family’s needs. For instance, you might not be fond of gardening, but your loved one is. Therefore, you shouldn’t eliminate gardening tools because you don’t use them often. If they’re helpful to a loved one, it’s advisable to keep them.
Figure Out What To Do With The Clutter
Whatever you aren’t keeping becomes clutter. It’s therefore vital to have a plan on what to do with such. After setting aside your ‘keep’ list, go through the rest of the items. Figure out what you might sell or donate and pack each item in its designated box to make sorting easier.
Afterward, toss everything that isn’t on your to keep, sell, or donate list in a rented dumpster as you proceed with the task.
Deep Clean The Garage
Now that your garage is empty, it might be ideal to do a thorough cleaning before arranging your items. Generally, the best way to clean a garage is from top to bottom. Begin by dusting off the tops as you proceed downwards. Ensure you go through each cabinet and shelf for a profound cleaning effect. Then, get rid of the dust you’ve shaken down before wiping off the walls, doors, shelves, and cabinets with a damp cloth and household detergent. Finally, mop the floor and allow it to dry for up to four hours before putting your valuables inside.
While most people wipe their garages before sweeping, the move doesn’t guarantee a thorough cleaning as the dust can attach to the already wiped surfaces. It’s therefore advisable to sweep before wiping, especially before wiping the spots with a damp cloth to prevent dust accumulation on the cleaned surfaces.
Garage Cleaning Tips
- Use a mop to clean garage walls
- Get rid of motor oil with a car litter, soap, and scrub brush
- Wipe away mold with bleach or a mixture of vinegar and warm water
- Using a mop with a microfiber cloth, wipe the walls dry
- Use a floor fan to speed up the drying process after mopping
When you have the necessary cleaning tools and follow these tips, you can rest assured that you can make your garage space clean and tidy.
- Get Organized
After sorting everything out and cleaning the space, it’s time to organize the garage to avoid cluttering it again. So, you’ll need to arrange your garage depending on which items you want to store.
Below are garage organizing options you can follow to ensure you get the job done. They include:
- Use shelves to store frequently used items
- Use a pegboard to store hand tools like harmers
- Use closets for those you don’t use frequently
- Use hooks to hold items such as shovels and rakes or stand them in a large sturdy bin
- Group items with the same use by category to locate them quickly
Conclusion
Clearing out a garage is a stressful process. However, knowing where to start and how to go about it can speed up the process and make it effortless. If you’re looking forward to clearing your garage, we hope this information will help ensure a stress-free process.