6 Tips for Cleaning Out the Garage

Like the junk drawer in the kitchen, the garage is one of those places where things go when they don’t belong anywhere else. Before you know it, the garage is full of junk, there’s barely enough space to park the car, and mice are nesting in the pile of old newspapers and magazines thrown in the corner.

Garage storage

Cleaning out the garage at least once a year keeps the clutter down and helps you stay organized so that you can find the items you need. Here are some tips on cleaning out the garage and getting organized.

1. Recruit help.
If you keep procrastinating on cleaning the garage because it just feels too overwhelming, it’s time to recruit some help. Ask other family members to pitch in, or bribe a friend with a steak dinner to get some help.

2. Clear it out.
The first step in cleaning out the garage is to clear everything out. If it’s a nice day, you can use the driveway, or if that’s not possible, just tackle one side of the garage at a time, and move all of your stuff to one side first, then the other side. Clearing out your belongings will help you figure out how much space you have available and can help you be more creative about organizing items where they fit best.

3. Purge what you don’t need.
If you haven’t used an item in over a year, it’s time to get rid of it. Broken parts, almost-empty paint cans, and rusty tools need to go. Anything that you’ve told yourself “someday I might need this” needs to go as well. Just make sure you properly dispose of items such as chemicals, paint, and electronics.

4. Clean it.
Before you put everything back in place, take time to sweep the garage floor, get rid of cobwebs in the corners, and clean up any messes or spills.

5. Create zones.
Now it’s time to put everything back in the garage. This is the perfect time to reorganize and make your garage space more efficient. Group similar items together so that they’re easy to find, such as sports items in one location, tools in another, and lawn equipment in a third location.

garage cabinets and racks

6. Get organized.
Garage cabinets and racks make it easier to store items efficiently (so you can fit more tools in a smaller space) and keep things organized (so that you can find items when you need them!). Garage storage systems also allow you to create more storage space overhead and on the walls. Hooks, shelving, cabinets, and racks are just a few of the garage storage systems that can help you get organized.

Minneapolis Garage Storage Systems
Need help organizing your garage? Harkraft offers complete garage storage systems for homes in Minneapolis and the surrounding area. Our garage cabinets and racks come with a limited lifetime warranty on products and labor. Give us a call today at (763) 544-4478 or contact us online for a free consultation with one of our garage storage experts.