It’s never too late to start spring cleaning, but if you spent Memorial Day weekend relishing in the start of the summer season and still have some outdoor cleaning to accomplish, start with the garage. The garage can easily become a drop zone for items you and your family don’t know what to do with, so if your garage needs an overhaul, reclaim it! Here is the ultimate guide to cleaning and organizing the garage just in time for Father’s Day.
STEP #1: Plan Accordingly
This first tip may sound like common sense, but it’s important to set aside enough time to work on the garage. Depending on the size of your garage, you may need an entire day or even an entire weekend, so be realistic and set aside back-to-back days so items being sorted aren’t out of place for too long. Also, be sure to check the weather and avoid cleaning on a rainy day and plan to clean the garage on a dry weekend instead.
STEP #2: Make It a Team Effort
Cleaning and organizing the garage may be an enjoyable task that Dad enjoys completing solo, but why go at it alone when you can enlist the help of family. Cleaning the garage can quickly turn into an overwhelming task, which may cause Dad to abandon the garage halfway through, so in order to complete this project in its entirety, make it a team effort.
Tip: If enlisting the help of family make a plan for directing your helpers through the process from start to finish to avoid any confusion.
STEP #3: Categorize
One of the easiest ways to organize the garage is to place all of your garage items into categories. Some popular categories include:
Evaluate items like luggage and paint and see if you can store them elsewhere. It’s so much easier to clean and organize the garage once the rest of the house is organized, so once you have determined your interior storage, you may be able to relocate many of the items currently stored in your garage.
Tip: Donate, recycle or toss any items that do not fit into your categories. Try not to start a new “miscellaneous” category, which may cause you to hold onto items instead of finding them a new home.
STEP #4: Clean
After you categorize your current garage contents, empty the garage and give it a good scrub down. Some garage cleaning essentials include the Outdoor Power Corner Broom and the Scrunge Heavy Duty Sponge for all of those greasy garage work tables.
Tip: Here are four cleaning favorites that are all perfect for outdoor cleaning.
STEP #5: Create a New Layout
Now that the garage is clean and you have new categories, determine the best garage layout. Decide where you want to place each category of items by considering the frequency of use and the space available. For example:
STEP #6: Reorganize
Once you have decided on a new garage layout, determine what containers you will need. Make the most of vertical space with wall-mounted pegboards and wire grids, both of which are perfect for garden gear, work tools and sporting equipment. Take advantage of overhead space with sturdy shelves that can be mounted to the ceiling, which is a perfect place for seasonal items and holiday decorations.
STEP #7: Relocate
Place categorized items in their new homes then sit back, relax and bask in the awesomeness of your huge accomplishment, but before you fire up the backyard BBQ for the first outdoor cookout of the season, set up an organizing schedule to maintain the work you have just completed. Whether its quarterly with each season or biannually with a check in every six months, maintain the garage space so all of your hard work doesn’t go to waste!
Tip: It’s best to put things away promptly after using them to avoid future messes.
Whether you clean the garage for Dad or join in on the Father’s Day fun, remember to show your love and gratitude for all of the fathers in your life. Happy Father’s Day everyone!
