Just like any other room in your home, your garage needs to be cleaned and organized. However, unlike other rooms, it seems like a bigger chore than it really is. With our helpful garage clean-out tips, you can get your garage cleaned out and turned into a functional space in no time.
Want to get started now? Download our garage cleaning checklist and get a few bonus tips to help with your garage clean-out.
Top Benefits of Cleaning Your Garage
Cleaning your garage isn’t the most exciting chore. But cleaning your garage offers several benefits beyond simply tidying up.
Prevent Dust & Dirt Build Up
As you pull items off of shelves and rearrange them, you have the opportunity to clean any nooks and crannies that have collected dust, dirt, and debris over time. You may be surprised by how much has collected, especially in those hard-to-reach corners.
Stop Pests
One of the top reasons for having a clean garage is it will help prevent pests. Cluttered garages provide ideal hiding spots for various critters, including insects, rodents, and even snakes. By removing the piles of junk, they won’t be able to find shelter or food sources and you can prevent future infestations.
Improve Curb Appeal
Clean garages are more appealing than messy ones. People look at messy garages and wonder if the inside is just as unorganized. Having a clean garage can create an inviting feeling to your home. Also, studies have shown that we feel calmer and more focused when we’re in a clean, organized space.
Increase Safety
A well-organized garage creates a safer environment for you and your family. By removing the junk and organizing your garage, you’re eliminating tripping hazards and the chance of boxes falling on you or your car.
Take Inventory
Garage spring cleaning gives you an excuse to finally pull out everything you have stored away. This allows you to really look at the things you own. You may have forgotten you still have a full box of nuts and bolts or those extra light bulbs. You’ll be forced to finally take inventory of what you own so you can use it!
Replace Old & Broken Items
Are those planters that you put away last year cracked? Maybe you received a new hardware set for your workbench as a gift and you’re ready to officially replace the set you’ve had for years. As you empty your garage, you’ll have the opportunity to replace any broken or old items. You’ll thank yourself later when you return to your garage looking to use them.
Purge Unwanted Items
Spring cleaning often leads to garage sales and donations to local charities. As you begin to purge any unwanted items, you can set them aside and decide whether or not you’d like to resell them for money or give them away. It’s a great way to clear out additional space in your garage.
Effectively Organize Storage
Last but not least, garage spring cleaning offers you a way to finally organize your storage in a convenient and useful way. This can also be a good time to swap out any seasonal decor you may have!
Ultimate Step-By-Step Cleaning Checklist for Your Garage
To help any project go smoothly, making a plan for how to clean out the garage before you start is essential. A garage cleaning checklist will help you feel less overwhelmed and get through the garage clean-out process.
1. Declutter
Begin by clearing out the garage entirely. Pull items off shelves, remove anything from the floor, and place everything on your driveway. This will give you access to parts of your garage you may not be able to reach or access otherwise.
Try placing items in piles on your driveway. Create a pile for things you’d like to keep, things you’d like to throw away, and things you can donate. This will help keep you organized as you sort through your belongings.
2. Dust & Wipe Away Dirt
Make sure to dust off shelves and work areas. You can use a step ladder to reach corners and clear out any spider webs or debris.
To create a cleaning solution, mix the distilled water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Simply spray it on dirty areas and use a microfiber cloth to clean them.
3. Clean The Garage Windows
Clean any windows along the walls of your garage with the same cleaning solution you used to wipe away dirt. Don’t forget to clean your garage door windows, too! Cleaner garage door windows will improve the look of your custom garage door and ensure an ample amount of light shines through to brighten up your garage interior.
4. Tackle Cleaning The Floor
Start by sweeping the floor with your broom to remove loose dust, dirt, and debris. Then, use a hose or a power washer to wash down the garage floor. While power washing the floor is fine, be sure not to power wash your Artisan door!
Once your sweeping and washing is complete, use the degreaser and scrubber to clean any tough oil and grease spots on the floor. You can also take this time to repair any concrete cracks with filler to help extend the life of the flooring.
5. Reorganize What You Want To Keep
Once the interior of your garage is spotless, it’s time to bring your “keep” pile back inside. Utilize organizational bins and shelves to make the most of your vertical space. Be sure to label items so you know where everything is located.
6. Toss or Donate What You Don’t
After your garage has been put back together, you’ll need to figure out what to do with the rest of the items that you no longer want to keep. If you have a lot of trash, be sure to look up a local facility where you can dump it. There may also be companies within your area that will come pick up your unwanted items. If you have any donation items, find a local facility where you can drop them off.
7. Inspect Your Garage Door
Throughout the year, your garage door takes a beating. As it withstands extreme hot and cold weather, the finish may fade and the springs may become brittle, making them work less efficiently. Use our garage door maintenance checklist to cover your bases and ensure your garage door always looks and works great!
8. Check Your Safety Devices
As you’re cleaning out your garage, you may also want to take a closer look at your heat and carbon monoxide detectors. Be sure these are in good working condition to promote superior safety in your home.
9. Consider Garage Landscaping/Curbscaping
As the weather gets warmer, you’re sure to entertain more guests in and around your home. With garage landscaping/curbscaping, you can increase your home’s curb appeal so you always make an astounding impression as your guests pull up for a visit!
10. Wash The Interior and Exterior Of Your Garage Door
While you are cleaning your garage, make sure to clean the garage door itself both inside and out to ensure your garage door lasts as long as possible. Learn how to properly clean your garage door by reading our guide.
How to Make Your Garage Clean-Out Last
Now that you’ve cleaned your garage, how do you ensure it doesn’t get messy again?
First, you can invest in better storage systems. Keeping things organized is essential in keeping your garage clean. Buying better shelving units or more bins helps keep everything in its place and makes it easier to find what you need.
Next, clean tools and work areas after you use them and put your tools back in their spot. This helps you avoid tracking dirt and grass into your clean garage.
Installing parking mats can help you keep your garage clean. These mats help clear your floors of salt, dirt, and oil.
Finally, establish a regular cleaning schedule. It can be as simple as sweeping out the garage once a month or cleaning the windows every other month. This will help you keep up with cleaning and help make your annual tidying easier. Also, clean any messes immediately after they happen so they don’t become bigger problems later.
