The Ultimate Guide to Spring Cleaning Your Garage
For many homeowners, the garage is often the place where things are left and forgotten. Perhaps there was a time when you had a clean garage that you could park your car in. Over time, however, you probably started moving various miscellaneous items into the garage that didn’t have a place inside the home. Eventually, it became so cluttered and dirty that even thinking about trying to organize that mess had you running for the hills – are we close? Don’t worry, if this is somewhere along the lines of what happened, you’re not alone. It’s kind of the whole point of having a garage right? Having a place to store all of the excess stuff, so it doesn’t clutter up your home?
Whatever the case may be, don’t stress. With this guide, you’ll have your garage cleaned and looking brand new in no time. It can be both a place you store items as well as a functional space for you to park your car or even use it as a workshop. Though it might not feel this way right now, the garage is a valuable part of the home. Having a functional garage with a quality garage door not only increases the value of the house, but it adds curb appeal as well.
How to Clean Out Your Garage Step by Step
The best way to tackle this task is to jump in and face it head-on. Often, the thing that scares homeowners away from cleaning the garage is the thought of how long it will take. If you give it too much thought, it will probably seem like an overwhelming task. So our recommendation is just to grab a pair of gloves, some trash bags and get in there.
Step 1: Declutter the Garage
Decluttering is the hardest part for most homeowners, but it doesn’t have to be. Just get in there, start grabbing stuff, and make some piles. This task is best done on a nice day so you can have the garage door open. Place all of the items into separate piles either in the driveway, the yard or on the patio. To keep it really simple, you can make just two piles consisting of what you want to keep and what you don’t. However, if you want to be a little more specific, you can make four piles – keep, donate, toss, or sell. Try not to think too hard about it, otherwise, you will find yourself spending too many hours on this task. If you are having trouble deciding whether to keep something or not, make another pile for the maybes and come back to it later.
Step 2: Sweep It Out and Spray It Down
Next, it’s time to give everything left inside the garage a good scrub. This step can get a little messy, so make sure you are wearing clothes you don’t mind ruining. You might also want a mask, so you don’t breathe in all of the dirt and dust flying around.
First, grab a broom and sweep out all of the loose dirt, dust, and debris. Then, take a dry rag or cloth and dust off and wipe down all of the surfaces and windows in the garage. If you have electrical outlets in the garage, you might want to turn off the power running to the garage for this next part. After everything is wiped down, grab your hose and spray everything down, and then give it a good scrubbing with some cleaner and a tough bristled broom or brush. Use a wet rag to clean off windows and other more delicate surfaces, like cabinets or additional pre-existing built-in storage.
Step 3: Clean and Inspect the Garage Door System
If you have been neglecting your garage, the garage door and opener likely haven’t received any attention either. While significant repairs are better left to the professionals, you should still inspect and clean your garage door and all it’s moving parts regularly. Regular garage door maintenance can help keep you from needing to spend money on costly repairs.
Test the opener to see that it’s working correctly and that there aren’t any loud noises when the door opens and closes. Wipe down the photo-eye sensors and lubricate any parts that look like they need it. If anything appears damaged or isn’t working properly, call your local garage door company for repairs. Don’t forget to clean and check the door itself. If the door is old and is showing signs of wear, it might mean it’s time to have a new door installed as well.
Step 4: Make a New Organization Plan
Now comes the fun part. Start making a plan for how you want to organize all of the stuff you will be keeping and putting back in the garage. If you already have a storage system, check that it is still in good condition. If it is not, or if you don’t have one, you should consider investing in some new cabinets, shelves, and containers to keep your newly cleaned garage organized going forward. For yard tools and equipment, it’s helpful to use hooks and open shelving, so everything is easily accessible. If you are feeling stuck and aren’t sure what kind of system to use, the internet is full of great ideas. Some stores that sell storage solutions will even have layout ideas or employees that can help you create a plan.
Step 5: Put It All Away and Enjoy Your New Garage
The only thing left to do after you’ve made a plan is to install any new storage systems and put everything from your keep pile away. Try not to rush through this step. Enjoy the process and make sure every item is going in a place that you will remember and be able to access easily. What’s the point of all that hard work if you are just going to toss things back in carelessly? Take your time and appreciate your new space. This will help you feel a sense of pride in what you’ve done, which will help you stay determined to keep it clean and organized going forward.
How Legacy Garage Doors Can Help
For over 20 years, Legacy Garage Doors has provided property owners with trusted garage door repairs and installations. As an independent and family-owned and operated business, we genuinely care about providing the best service possible to our customers. For the best in custom, or standard garage doors and quality repairs, contact Legacy Garage Doors today!
