Most people consider their garage as an afterthought, with it playing the role of a simple parking space for your car(s) and perhaps housing some miscellaneous items like bicycles, skis or kayaks. However, garages can prove to be very useful if only they were cleaned out regularly. This would free up space in your home for other things. So, if you were planning to organize your garage, here are some tips that might come in handy.
1. Organize the Tools
You can’t do much with an unorganized garage tools collection. All the spaces will be clogged up and good tools like chisels or hammers that serve specific purposes well would be difficult to find and use. Thus, begin by organizing your collection of tools properly. Get rid of all the rusty ones you haven’t used in years and separate them from the rest of the tools. You can either donate them or sell them off to someone looking for good quality used stuff at a cheap price.
2. The Right Place
You don’t want your car to be blocked in by the miscellaneous items. Thus, organize the space well and use it for storage purposes only. For example, you could place all your old bikes on hooks by the wall with some kid’s roller skates hanging next to them or you could put all those old suitcases neatly under a bench. You can use wire baskets to store other items like balls or gardening tools.
3. Give the Cans a Home
No, we aren’t just talking about those empty cans of beans you have been saving up for some reason. We also mean all the paints and turpentine that are strewn about in your garage. You can either place these cans in trays with their lids held down so they don’t spill over or you can store them in cabinets.
4. Get Rid of Your Junk
This is the most important step because it will eliminate all the stuff you haven’t used for years cluttering up your garage. Donate them to charity, sell them off or simply throw them away. You should have space in your house to store things you use regularly without having to go all the way downstairs to get them so there’s no point keeping old newspapers or broken furniture around unless you are planning on recycling them or upcycling them.
Some people also prefer creating an outdoor storage area for their garden tools, but this is not a good idea since it’s likely to be rusted or damaged by rain. Thus, if you still want to do this, make sure the tools are covered in some way when they’re not in use. Also remember that changing your garage is all about maintaining order and harmony – don’t create too many new compartments for items like bicycles etc. or you’ll end up with an overly complicated system. A garage should be neat and clean but not cluttered or it will only cause more problems than you can solve by organizing it.
Materials to Use in Cleaning a Garage
1. Broom and Dustpan
Begin with a sweep of all the trash in your garage using a broom and dustpan.
2. Plastic bags
For some areas, you may want to use plastic bags for sweeping or wiping away any remaining residue from tough surfaces like concrete or cement. Just make sure these are disposed of properly after you’re through with them.
3. Water and cleaner
You can use a garden hose for rinsing off the floor of your garage if you don’t have access to a pressure washer. Then use a cleaner on any remaining marks or stains before wiping it all down again to prevent corrosion levels from rising in your garage over time. If you have access to a pressure washer, use it on the floor before using another hose to rinse it all off again.
4. A soft cloth
For surfaces like wooden workbenches, you can use oil or wax to get rid of any dust or dirt that accumulates over time.
5. Bleach and disinfectants
If your garage is located near the kitchen you may want to use disinfectants on your workbenches and shelves before using some bleach or ammonia to clean up all the surfaces. You can even get rid of any dirt stuck onto the floor using some soapy water.
If you’re planning on building new cabinets for your garage, make sure they will be strong enough to hold all the items you will be storing. You can also get a garage door or a metal wall installed to keep out any intruders and prevent your stuff from being stolen.
Why is spring cleaning a garage important?
A neatly organized garage will help you discover things that need repair or replacement. You would also be able to use your tools sooner since they’ll be easily accessible rather than being stuck somewhere in a dusty corner where you don’t remember putting them away after last using them.
Garages can be a very valuable storage space if used properly but only if they’re clean and tidy. So, if you are avoiding the idea of cleaning your garage because it was such a daunting task, we hope that these tips will make it easier for you!
If ever you notice that you have a broken garage door, do not hesitate to message Little Rock Garage Door Repair.
You should also check out How to Make a Garage Energy Efficient now!