Picture this: all the beds are made, the counters are spotless, and your floors are freshly mopped. The whole home is sparkling clean! Well, almost…
When it comes to deep cleaning, most homeowners (perhaps conveniently) don’t consider the garage. After all, it’s cold, dark and no one spends too much time out there, right? It’s certainly not where you’ll likely be entertaining guests! The garage is a highly important space, though. If utilized properly, it can protect your car, gadgets and priceless keepsakes, provide plenty of storage space and overall enhance the appeal of your home. So, why not give your garage the TLC that it deserves?
To keep your garage in check, we’ve assembled five top tips for even the most overwhelmed:
Clear Everything Out
It’s hard to get started with stuff piled up to the ceiling! Begin by pulling everything out of the garage, whether that includes vehicles, boxes of keepsakes, or maybe even a rogue kayak.
If you’re short on time or space, you can do this in stages, but seeing a completely empty space can both motivate you and inspire ideas for creative storage solutions. If possible, it’s best to clear everything out at once before you begin officially cleaning.
Decide What to Keep
Next, create three piles for all your items. You’ll use these piles to determine what to keep, what you sell or donate, and what to outright trash. While you’ll likely know intuitively what you are sure you want to keep, navigating the other categories can be a bit more challenging. As a rule of thumb, big-ticket items, like furniture or art, or those in good condition can be listed and potentially sold for profit. Anything that is still in good shape but may not be worth the time and energy you’ll spend listing, haggling and selling should be donated. Anything that doesn’t fit either of those categories or is clearly in rough shape can be tossed.
If you’re short on time and prone to uncertainty, lean into the five-second rule. This school of thought urges you to make snap decisions in five seconds or less. Keep or toss? Sell or donate? Try not to make the process more complicated than it needs to be.
Be attentive as you organize. Check to make sure that old electronics still work, crafts and home improvement tools will be used, and paint cans haven’t gone bad. The garage can quickly become a graveyard of abandoned hobbies or a dumping ground for clutter you just don’t want to deal with at the moment. After all, out of sight, out of mind, right? Not when it comes to your garage.
While you’re at it, you’ll also want to double-check disposal guidelines for any potentially hazardous substances. For example, paint, batteries, and motor oil can all be transported to participating recycling centers. Research participating locations near you and plan to dispose of these materials responsibly. Not only will your home be a little cleaner, the environment will be, too.
Deep Clean
Once you’ve cleared out the garage and offloaded any unnecessary items, you can begin the deep cleaning process. Your garage is likely one of the dirtiest places in your home, so be prepared to use some elbow grease.
To make things easier on yourself, start from the top and work your way down. Use a broom to knock any cobwebs from the ceiling, corners and windowsills. Examine any lighting, shelving or scaffolding to ensure it’s still in good working order. Then, give them a good wipe down. Don’t forget the walls, either!
You’ll also want to give the windows a little TLC. Start by removing dust and lint, then mix a solution of white vinegar and hot water. Dip a sponge in the solution and wet the windows, following with vertical squeegee strokes. Finish by wiping sills with all-purpose cleaner and water.
Finally, it’s time to tackle the floors. The right approach will depend on your flooring type, but anyone can start with a solid sweep. Use a push broom and dustpan to collect any dirt and debris quickly and easily that’s collected over the years. Then, start scrubbing. If your flooring is hardy, you may be able to use a power washer. If not, stick to a bucket of soapy water and a mop or deck brush. For oil stains, investigate quick and effective commercial stain removers at your local hardware store.
Depending on the home and your location, you may also need to consider pest control. You can always call in a professional but, if the situation isn’t out of control, you could consider taking matters into your own hands.
Reorganize
Once the garage is gleaming, you can start reorganizing your belongings. Before you get started, choose a system and stick to it. Some owners focus on vertical space, installing wall-mounted bike racks or overhead shelving. Others might opt for a workbench with plenty of drawer space, or simple stacked bins. Whatever your preference, do your future self a favor and ensure everything will fit before you begin.
Keep in mind that storing things in a garage comes with its own challenges. Any materials you use should be water resistant and airtight. You don’t want water, bugs or other pests making their way into your keepsakes.
Create a Maintenance Plan
Once you’ve successfully organized everything in your garage, you’ll want to ensure that the process isn’t quite as intensive next time. Think about how you want to maintain this level of cleanliness moving forward.
Can you get out to tidy up once a week? Or mop on the first Saturday of each month? Maybe each family member should be assigned one task to help maintain this level of organization. Whatever the case, try your best to avoid out-of-hand clutter in the future.
Final Thoughts: 5 Garage Cleaning Tips for the Overwhelmed
Cleaning the garage is no simple feat – it’s likely the dirtiest space in your home, where clutter seems to pile up.
It’s important to not overlook its potential, though! A clean garage can improve your standard of living, ease stress and anxiety, and provide a warm welcome whenever you get home. Plus, with a plan for maintenance moving forward, you could go years without needing another large-scale clean out.
All it takes is the first step – or five.
Published on September 12, 2022
