Take Back Your Garage | Clean It Out

5 Steps to Take Back Your Garage. Take these steps to clean it out and keep it that way.

If you’re ready to take back your garage this post is for you. The weather is starting to cool a bit which makes it a good time to work in the garage. Well not in the desert where I live, but most places. I need to wait another month or so to feel comfortable in the garage.

I like my garage to be organized and in shape before the hustle and bustle of the holidays. You might need an area for short term holiday storage. It’s also a great project for a family to work on together. Don’t forget to think of a great reward for everyone once the garage is clean and organized. You all deserve it.

It’s Time to Take Back Your Garage

Remove Everything– Just like everything else, when you’re trying to get a space organized you need to start by removing everything from the space. Put a sign out or something so people don’t think you’re having a garage sale though. I’ve had people stop and ask me prices on items, even try to haggle with me. It was pretty funny but also a little annoying since I was on a mission to get a job done. But if you want to get rid of something and there’s interest knocking on your door, go ahead and get rid of it.

Clean It Out– Since you have a big empty space, now is the time to clean it top to bottom. Take down all the cobwebs, wipe down the walls, clean up any spills, and clean the floor. Sweep the floor out really well then use a push broom with soapy water and scrub the floor. Make sure to take special care to clean up any stains. Use a power washer on the floor and let it dry before returning anything to the garage. While everything is out I would give it a quick coat of paint. I find my garage is so much easier to keep clean when painted.

Clear the Clutter– Start piles or make boxes so you can sort through things quickly. Make sure to include an area for things to be recycled and donated. Include a garbage can for garbage and broken items. Do not return anything to the garage that you are questioning. Now is the time to be strict with your garage space. You know you’re going to be adding things to it over the next few months so only start with what you really need to keep. Have a goal to preserve as much empty space as possible.

Create Zones– We have a 2 car garage and we don’t have much storage space in our home. So we’re using a small portion of the garage for storage until we get the shed built. Creating zones makes it easy to find what you need and help keep items organized. Make sure to leave plenty of space for the vehicles even if you have to mark the area off with tape.

Use Vertical Space– Store as much on the walls as possible. Use pegboard or a wall organizing system to get things off the floor and on the walls. Keep the daily or often used necessities at hand and eye level. Store little used items up high, you can even hang storage shelves from the ceiling like we did. Make sure to secure heavy objects for safety reasons. Keep a step stool or small ladder handy to reach the little used or seasonal items.

Enjoy your organized garage. Do you have some great tips to share? Add them in the comments.

For more garage organizing ideas and tips check out my Organize|Garage Pinterest board . Follow me on all my Pinterest boards at Leanne {Organize and Decorate Everything}

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