Simple Steps for Organizing and Decluttering Your Garage

A cluttered and disorganized garage can be a source of stress and frustration, making it difficult to find what you need and causing unnecessary clutter in your home. However, cleaning and organizing your garage can be a daunting task, especially if you’ve let the clutter build up over time. But don’t worry, by following these ten simple steps, you can turn your cluttered garage into a clean and functional space.

Organizing Your Garage

I can bet that any one of us had problems finding the tool he needs, which can be something small like a wrench or screwdriver, or even something bigger. And funny thing is that it’s happening when you have the least time. The more you are looking for that one tool that is hiding from you, the better the chances are that other staff will follow his lead. It’s like they’re organizing to play hide and seek with you. And you are searching all the time. It’s frustrating just to write on that. You keep promising yourself that you will organize everything this time, you’ll be starting first thing tomorrow, and no tool is gonna mess with you. And then someone finds it, but it’s not you, you are the one they are hiding from. You finish your repair, put it back so you know where is it for the next time and forget all about the need to make some order in your garage. Of course, you will remember it the next time your tools decide to play hide and seek with you, but it will be the same as before. This article should help you with organizing your garage, but honestly, for me, I need a therapist to make me do stuff like this. So, here’s a short guide on what to do and how to make this process faster.

Sorting and Separating Your Garage Items

The first step in cleaning your garage is to sort through all of the items you have stored there and separate them into piles: keep, donate, and trash. This will give you a clear idea of what you actually need and use, and what can be gotten rid of. Go through every item in your garage, including tools, sports equipment, decorations, and any other miscellaneous items. Be ruthless and honest with yourself about what you actually need and use, and what can be donated or thrown away.

Investing in Storage Solutions

Once you’ve sorted through your items, you’ll have a better idea of what storage solutions you need to maximize space and keep things organized. Consider investing in shelves, hooks, and bins to help keep items off the floor and easily accessible. You can also think about using vertical space with hanging shelves, hooks, or racks. This will help you make the most of your space and ensure that everything has a designated spot.

Creating Designated Areas for Specific Items

One of the keys to keeping your garage organized is to create designated areas for specific items. For example, you can have a specific area for sports equipment, another for tools, and another for seasonal decorations. This will make it much easier to find what you need and keep things organized. You can use different colored bins or labels to clearly mark the areas and make it easy to find what you need.

Regular Maintenance and Clutter Prevention

Once your garage is clean and organized, it’s important to set aside time on a regular basis to maintain it. This means regularly going through your items and getting rid of anything you no longer need or use. It also means making sure that any new clutter is dealt with promptly, before it has a chance to build up. By regularly maintaining your garage, you’ll be able to keep it organized and clutter-free for years to come.

Make Use of the Walls and Ceiling

One often overlooked area for storage in the garage is the walls and ceiling. You can install shelving or hooks on the walls to store items such as bicycles, lawn tools, and even large power tools. This will not only free up floor space, but also make items more easily accessible. Additionally, you can install overhead storage racks to store items such as holiday decorations, camping equipment, and other items that are not used frequently. This will keep them out of the way, but still easily accessible when needed.

Utilize Floor Space with Cabinets and Drawers

Another way to maximize storage space in your garage is to utilize the floor with cabinet and drawer units. These units can be used to store smaller items such as hardware, screws, nails, and other tools. Although the next advice is more practical for those small items, this is great if you don’t want to spend some extra money on containers or you don’t have time to separate those annoying little screws and nails. But remember, you are saving your time now, but when the moment come to get one of those items, you’re gonna hate yourself for not doing it the right way before.

Use Clear Containers for Small Items

Small items such as nails, screws, nuts, and bolts can easily get lost in a cluttered garage. To keep them organized, use clear plastic containers with lids. This will make it easy to see what is inside and quickly find the item you need. Additionally, you can label the containers so you know what is inside without having to open them. When labelling those containers make sure to use water-resistant markers, they are usually more durable and can save you from opening every container. Just don’t forget to put those new small items in a container, remember, that’s what brought you here.

Keep a Cleaning Schedule

Once your garage is organized, keeping it that way is important. Set up a cleaning schedule and stick to it. This can be as simple as setting aside a few minutes each day to put things away or dedicating a full day each week to go through your items and get rid of anything that is no longer needed. By keeping a regular cleaning schedule, you will be able to maintain a clean and organized garage. And the best thing is it doesn’t even need to be you 🙂 You can easily outsource this to your kids or hire kids from the neighborhood. Sometimes this can be more expensive than hiring a company but hey, you are having your quiet time and teaching kids how money is earned. There is always a possibility that you will need to do it yourself, but if you want to take that risk, outsource it.

Get Everyone Involved

Cleaning and organizing your garage can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be done alone. Get the whole family involved by assigning each member a specific task or area to work on. This will not only make the task less overwhelming, but it will also teach everyone the importance of keeping things organized and tidy. This should be like team building for a family. You can even make a contest out of this, who can sort something fastest, who can think of the best place for wrenches, who can think of the best design for the wall in the garage with nothing on it to give a bit of personal note to the garage. Important advice, keep the sharp objects away from your kids and give them tasks that are suitable for their age. They will feel proud for sure and after the job is done, a family barbecue is the best reward for you. Or you can easily order some food and pair it with your favorite drink. This can even become a family tradition.

Cleaning and organizing your garage can seem like a daunting task, but by following these ten simple steps, you can easily turn your cluttered garage into a clean and functional space. Start by sorting through your items, invest in storage solutions, create designated areas for specific items, label and mark storage containers, and set aside time for regular maintenance and clutter prevention. Additionally, make use of the walls and ceiling, utilize floor space with cabinets and drawers, use clear containers for small items, keep a cleaning schedule, and get everyone involved in the process. With a little bit of effort, you’ll be able to enjoy a clean and organized garage that is a pleasure to use. Remember that a clean garage not only provides a functional space, but also a clear mind, and a sense of accomplishment. An additional step to include in the process is taking measures to prevent mice infestation. This can include sealing any cracks or openings in the garage, keeping food items stored in airtight containers, and regularly checking for signs of mice or other pests. By taking these preventative measures, you can ensure that your clean and organized garage stays that way.