If you’re like us, you’ve been putting off tackling the garage on your Spring cleaning checklist. It’s a big job, but Springtime is a perfect opportunity get outside, enjoy the beautiful weather, and transform your garage into a well-organized storage space for your home. Summer is just around the corner, but it’s not too late for Spring cleaning! Check out weeks 1-4 of our series.
Is your garage a catchall? Do you dream of parking your car in there one day? Believe it or not, this is my favorite part of the home to organize!
First, a few essentials I think every garage must have:
Shop Vac – A heavy-duty wet/dry shop vac will make your job so much easier when trying to keep your garage clean and dirt-free.
Tubs and bins – My personal preference is clear so that I can see what is inside, however some my prefer solid for this exact reason. Either way, label the bins with the contents inside for convenience.
Storage Rack – This is an important piece to organization. I recommend the NewAge Pro Series heavy-duty rack. It is durable and allows for much needed storage space.
Where to begin?
It may sound daunting, but the first thing on the agenda is to remove everything from your garage. Yes… everything! Use your driveway or yard as a staging area. As you remove the contents of your garage, create designated areas for the following:
Items to keep – Keepsakes, pictures, holiday decorations, etc.
Donate – Things that are in working order, but you no longer need. Find a local drop off center or schedule a pick up by your favorite charity.
Garbage and recycle – Not sure what or where to recycle? Check out these handy guides.
Hazardous waste – Items such as old paint cans and auto supplies. Go to your county website to find a waste management and recycling center near you for drop off.
To go through – As you go through this process if you cannot quickly decide which of the above areas the item or box belongs then create a “to go through pile” and circle back around to it.
Once everything is sorted:
1. Line up your bins and put items away accordingly by category (keepsakes, photo albums, holiday decorations, etc.).
2. Label each bin with a label maker. If using a clear bin, I suggest typing out the label in a large font on a piece of paper. Put the paper in the bin with the label facing out so that you can easily read it.
3. Before setting up the storage rack, take a shop vacuum to the inside and clean as well as you can to create a clean space to work with.
4. Return the bins to the storage rack.
Other tips:
- Hang your bicycles on the wall with mounts. Wall mounts can also be used to store your lawn chairs.
- Use a 5-Compartment Interlocking Organizer found at Home Depot for your nails, nuts and bolts. This system allows up to 3 compartments for sufficient storage and can take on the go if needed.
- Need a work bench? Take a look at the Trinity 48″ Stainless Steel Rolling Workbench. It’s not only is an efficient use of space, but is nice to look at too!
Professional organizer and event planner, Amy Langle, was born to organize. From companies looking to streamline to busy moms wanting to simplify, Amy loves helping clients organize their lives. Learn more at amylangle.com.
