How to Start Organizing Your Garage
Dress properly for the occasion., Take everything out of the garage and separate it into three piles: things to keep, things to throw away and things to sell or donate., Take all of the items you want to keep and separate them into categories...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Dress properly for the occasion.
Wear old clothes and comfortable shoes.
It is a dirty job so be prepared.
Wear long pants to protect you legs.
If your garage is prone to insects such as spiders, consider wearing gloves.
It is also hard work so get help! Make it a family affair.
Or offer to buy pizza if friends are coming to visit.
Play music that everyone likes to lighten the atmosphere. -
Step 2: Take everything out of the garage and separate it into three piles: things to keep
For anyone who has a hard time parting with things use this rule: if you haven’t used it in the last year, get rid of it.
Throw away anything that is broken.
If you haven’t fixed it, toss it.
Make sure to also dispose of things properly.
If you have old paint, cleaners, motor oil or other substances, contact the city to see where to take it. , My categories were: tools, holiday decorations, luggage, cleaning supplies, camping equipment and miscellaneous.
Buy large bins to store these items.
Bins can be found at Home Improvement stores or discount stores.
Make sure to buy large bins with tight closing lids.
This will prevent insects from getting into the contents inside. , For example, four of my bins are labeled “Christmas Decorations”.
Another boxes are labeled “Camping Supplies”. , Sweep the floor and hose it out.
Remove any cobwebs and wipe down the walls.
If the studs are exposed, clean off the cross bars of any excess dust or dirt. , The most important goal is usually the ability to park car in the garage.
Determine how much room is needed and that includes when the car door was opened.
You also want to have adequate walking room to get any appliances there.
Two feet is a good distance. , Have them facing so the labels can be read easily.
Group them together so all bins relating to each other are together.
Pile them as high as you can so that you can easily get to them.
With other items that don’t fit into the bins, group them together and place them where it makes sense.
If possible buy hooks for large garden tools such as rakes, for sporting equipment such as bikes and other unwieldy items. , Throw away all items that you separated into the trash pile.
Do not second guess yourself.
If it has been sitting in your garage for several years for you to “someday get around to fix it”, toss it.
That one item is taking up valuable space.
With all other useful items, have a garage sale or donate everything to a worthy charity such as Salvation Army. -
Step 3: things to throw away and things to sell or donate.
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Step 4: Take all of the items you want to keep and separate them into categories.
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Step 5: Label the front and side of each bin as to the contents.
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Step 6: Clean your empty garage thoroughly.
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Step 7: Determine the room needed for the car.
-
Step 8: Place all of the bins in the garage along one wall.
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Step 9: Trash or donate what you will not use.
Detailed Guide
Wear old clothes and comfortable shoes.
It is a dirty job so be prepared.
Wear long pants to protect you legs.
If your garage is prone to insects such as spiders, consider wearing gloves.
It is also hard work so get help! Make it a family affair.
Or offer to buy pizza if friends are coming to visit.
Play music that everyone likes to lighten the atmosphere.
For anyone who has a hard time parting with things use this rule: if you haven’t used it in the last year, get rid of it.
Throw away anything that is broken.
If you haven’t fixed it, toss it.
Make sure to also dispose of things properly.
If you have old paint, cleaners, motor oil or other substances, contact the city to see where to take it. , My categories were: tools, holiday decorations, luggage, cleaning supplies, camping equipment and miscellaneous.
Buy large bins to store these items.
Bins can be found at Home Improvement stores or discount stores.
Make sure to buy large bins with tight closing lids.
This will prevent insects from getting into the contents inside. , For example, four of my bins are labeled “Christmas Decorations”.
Another boxes are labeled “Camping Supplies”. , Sweep the floor and hose it out.
Remove any cobwebs and wipe down the walls.
If the studs are exposed, clean off the cross bars of any excess dust or dirt. , The most important goal is usually the ability to park car in the garage.
Determine how much room is needed and that includes when the car door was opened.
You also want to have adequate walking room to get any appliances there.
Two feet is a good distance. , Have them facing so the labels can be read easily.
Group them together so all bins relating to each other are together.
Pile them as high as you can so that you can easily get to them.
With other items that don’t fit into the bins, group them together and place them where it makes sense.
If possible buy hooks for large garden tools such as rakes, for sporting equipment such as bikes and other unwieldy items. , Throw away all items that you separated into the trash pile.
Do not second guess yourself.
If it has been sitting in your garage for several years for you to “someday get around to fix it”, toss it.
That one item is taking up valuable space.
With all other useful items, have a garage sale or donate everything to a worthy charity such as Salvation Army.
About the Author
Nicholas Hart
Brings years of experience writing about lifestyle and related subjects.
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