Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Garage

When the weather is pleasant and you have a free weekend, spring is the best time to clean the garage. If you need advice on how to begin clearing out the mess, you don’t have to go it alone. With some helpful suggestions, you can have a sparkling new garage in no time. Here are several tips for decluttering your garage so you can have room to store your car and other valuables.

How Can I Clean Out My Garage?

If you’ve dumped old junk into your garage over the years, you might not know where to start. As you figure out the best way to tackle the clutter, remember these tips for cleaning out the garage:

• Get your supplies ready: During this project, you’ll be throwing out old items and finding new ways to store your treasured possessions. You should have heavy-duty trash bags and weather-resistant storage containers to help you organize. Since you’ll be cleaning, you should also have a broom, a step stool, microfiber cloths and an all-purpose cleaner.
• Create a realistic schedule: Since the weather is more enjoyable in the spring, you may want to knock out your organizing project in a day so you can spend the rest of the weekend at the park. If you’re going to wash and organize your garage, be realistic about how you’ll approach the work. Take your time and overestimate how many hours you think you’ll need — this helps you plan for the unexpected.
• Sketch the floor plan of your garage: Split your garage into zones so you can easily access your tools. Draw the floor plan on a piece of paper and figure out where to put each item. Having a visual can help you prepare before you start scrubbing down your garage space, and extra preparation is the best way to clean the garage.

Tips for Cleaning Out the Garage

Transform the space you use to store your old junk into a functional area of the house. Here are several garage spring cleaning tips to keep in mind:

• Create a checklist: A checklist can help you figure out how to clean your garage and give you a sense of accomplishment after each step. Develop realistic actions you can take to make your garage a functional, neat part of your house.
• Start with an empty garage: Clear the contents of your garage onto the driveway for a fresh slate. When the floor space is clean, park your car inside and measure how much space you have for storage. Open the garage windows and doors while you work to air out the musty smell.
• Be creative with your garage storage options: Store the belongings you use most frequently where you can easily access them. Take advantage of all the free space you have in your garage, including the walls and ceiling.

How to Clean Your Garage in Spring

Tidy the garage on a bright, sunny day, so you don’t bring moisture into the house. As you’re spring cleaning your garage, follow these steps to make the process go smoothly:

1. Create Three Piles for the Items in Your Garage

After you’ve emptied everything onto the driveway, split the pile into three categories — keep, trash and donate. Move your unwanted possessions out of the way, so you have space to work. Consider these factors before you decide what you want to do with your belongings:

• How often you use it: You may like the idea of going skiing or learning how to snowboard, but if you haven’t touched your sports equipment in years, it may be time to let them go. Some of your belongings might be nostalgic, but if you don’t use them, you can donate them to a friend or family member instead of discarding them.
• Whether it works: Many homeowners dump the extra junk they have in their house in their garage. You might have been storing expired cans of food or broken roller blades. You may be able to find a new purpose for any broken items you’ve saved, but throw out anything that isn’t useful to you anymore.
• Where it belongs: Some homeowners keep things like cans of paint or seasonal decorations in the garage. However, most garages aren’t insulated. Look for items that would last longer if you stored them in a closet or the attic.

2. Deep Clean the Garage

Since the main area is now empty, you can wipe the dust and debris out of it. Here are some tips for deep cleaning the garage:

• Use your broom to sweep the ceiling, corners and walls. 
• Close the garage door and wash the panels — plus all the door’s moving parts.
• Scrub the floor with a soft bristle brush, mild detergent and hot water.
• Wipe the light switches, door jamb, doorknobs and garage door opener.

3. Choose the Appropriate Storage

Once your floors are dry and your space is neat, you should use the zones you’ve created to figure out where to store your belongings. Group items from the same category, like gardening tools or office supplies, so you can easily find them. Here are some common ideas for how to store your possessions creatively:

• Plastic, waterproof storage bins can withstand harsh weather conditions and possible flooding.
• Shelves allow you to store your belongings high up, but they remain accessible when you need them.
• Closets and cabinets are the perfect spaces to store items you use less frequently.
• Wall hooks and pegboards can accommodate lawn equipment to take advantage of empty garage wall space.
• A tall ceiling can provide a great place to hang your bicycles or install shelving.

4. Make a Garage Cleaning Schedule

Schedule a time for cleaning out your garage at least twice a year to maintain its tidiness. Follow this easy task list during those cleaning days:

• Look through your possessions and throw out anything broken or expired.
• Park your car in the driveway and sweep the floors.
• Dust the ceiling, shelves and corners.
• Wash your garage door and schedule an inspection to make sure it’s functioning correctly.

5. Repair or Replace Your Garage Door

A new, safe garage door can make your home look cleaner and protect your valuables. Check your door’s moving parts to find out if you need to replace anything:

• If you notice rust forming or if the garage door is stuck, have a professional replace the springs.
• If there are cracks in the door, change the panels to ensure a safe garage and a more updated appearance.
• If you can’t open or close your garage door, switch out its cables. 
• If there are drafts in the garage, put weather stripping around the door or windows to regulate the temperature.

Contact Kitsap Garage Door to Replace Your Garage Door

If you discover you need a new garage door while cleaning it out, choose a garage door style that complements your home’s exterior. You can also invest in a smart garage door opener that connects to your electronic device for easy access to your property. We supply residential garage doors and garage door openers to homeowners in the Kitsap Peninsula, Washington. Contact us online or call us at (360) 692-0849 to start designing your new garage door today.