The Right Way to Spring Clean Your Garage

There’s nothing more cathartic than spring cleaning your garage.  After the winter, muck builds up over the course of a season. Washing it away and scrubbing down and cleaning up your garage is tedious, yes, but the reward is a purifying feeling afterwards.

Here are a few tips to keep your garage spring cleaning on track.

Make a Plan and Stick to It

It’s easy to get distracted with spring cleaning.  A garage that hasn’t been touched in a few seasons can call for some real rolling-up-of-the-sleeves, so if you don’t have a plan, you could be in over your head.  Ask yourself: what do I want to get accomplished?

If the intent is to declutter, you may want to remove all of the contents of the garage, minus the things that are nailed down or secured in place.  You’ll want to prepare your driveway and a large dumpster for serious decluttering, as well as your car if you wish to transport or donate any unwanted items.

For a good, old-fashioned cleaning, the same game plan applies.  Remove everything from your garage that’s not secured and move it into another location, preferably a driveway for easy staging.

Part of getting a plan together for spring cleaning your garage is finding the purpose of your day and sticking to it.  Remember, you’ll need to plan ahead, so be sure to ask for help and carve out time ahead of your scheduled cleaning.  A little planning can go a long way, saving you headaches when the chore comes around.

Declutter

Decluttering can make the most improvement in a garage.  For cluttered garages that have been long neglected, follow these guidelines: keep, donate, sell, throw away, or recycle.  Purging your garage of unnecessary items will make for a more functional space.

Parting ways with items can be difficult for some people and is the driving reason behind a cluttered garage.  Ask yourself if you’ve used the item in the last one to two years and if the answer is “no,” then it’s time to pitch it, sell it, donate it, or recycle it.  When your garage feels breathable and roomy, you’ll realize it was worth sorting through the mess.

garage floor drain system

Wipe Down and Sweep Out

An important step of spring cleaning is actually cleaning.  Physically sweep and wipe down every surface of your garage after you’ve entirely cleared out its contents.  This includes desk surfaces, tabletops, shelves, nooks and crannies, and the garage floor.

The floor, after a season of melted ice and snow, dirty car tires, fall leaves and debris, and collected dirt, will desperately need a good washing.  This is why removing everything from your garage is so important.  A proper spring cleaning means cleaning away the dirt and grime from prior, messier seasons, making it a clean space to work on projects.

Don’t neglect the walls of your garage either.  Take a broom and sweep away the dirt and cobwebs that have accumulated against the walls and ceiling.  Be sure to wear a face covering or mask so you can avoid breathing in dust.  Remember to wash your garage windows and use the opportunity to crack them open to air out the garage.  Place fans to increase airflow.

To make the job easier at the end, take a leaf blower and blow out the dust and dirt you’ve collected on the floor of the garage.  Wear a mask and use the correct safety gear while doing so.

Reorganize

If you’re going to clean your garage, do it the right way.  That means reorganizing your items, so it makes for a happy, functional space.  Large items like shovels, spades, bicycles, rakes, and awkward yard equipment can be hung to make use of vertical space.  Small tools can be stored against the wall in an organized fashion or tucked away in garage cabinetry.

Don’t underestimate hanging things from your ceiling.  It’s a welcome space for small garages, and you can easily hang seasonal items to get them out of the way while not in use.  Hang skis, kayaks, and bicycles from your ceiling when you’re not using them.

You’ll want to store as much as possible in covered bins.  The garage is exposed to different elements than your main house, critters and harsher temperatures included, so protecting its contents should be your first priority.

spring cleaning

Spring Cleaning Done Right

For many homeowners, the garage is the most disorganized part of their home.  It’s easy to neglect the garage and let it become dirty and overrun with storage items.  Spring cleaning may not be the thing you look forward to when the nicer weather breaks, but after it’s done, you’ll have a satisfied feeling knowing that you’ve organized and cleaned.

Cleaning Your Garage is Easy

It’s not hard to learn how to clean your garage – the key is to clean both inside and outside. The outside of your garage will help improve your home’s curb appeal while the inside will improve your garage’s functionality and open up more options for usage.

Sometimes cleaning your garage isn’t enough and you can’t repair damages. That’s when it’s time for a new garage and Danley’s Garages is here to help. We have been building garages for Chicago homeowners since 1959. Get a free quote now and start your garage building project today.

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