Checklist for Cleaning a Garage

The garage frequently becomes the set point for whatever can’t locate a location in the house. While the excess storage area is helpful, it can rapidly becomes a disordered and dysfunctional environment. A handy list helps homeowners require control of the clutter and create a clean, organized and accessible environment.

Assess the Mess

Before cleaning and organizing starts, assess the current condition of the garagedoor. Take inventory of the clutter, sorting it as you enter three piles: keep, donate and discard. The more you remove, the more space you create. Many local charities are pleased to pick up things. Trash items could be left at the curb but check product labels for pesticides, motor oil, solvents and other substances to determine best disposal procedures. Place items needing repair to your labeled box, and if you haven’t used or fixed them within a year, give them off. Sort the items you are maintaining, like sporting equipment, automotive equipment or gardening gear, and assign them a particular location. Label items which are not visibly identifiable to prevent confusion and increase accessibility.

Storage Solutions

Viable storage solutions are vital to your clean, organized garagedoor. Freestanding shelving units store everything from cleaning supplies to old paint. A wall-mounted pegboard is useful for often used tools. Smaller buckets and tins can hold bolts, nuts, and zip ties. Keep messy sand, salt and birdseed in tagged, lidded containers to prevent spills. Placing bins under tables and shelving makes sensible use of vacant space for items like baseball gloves and hockey helmets.

The Deep Clean

After sorting and storing, deep clean the garage. Choose a temperate day as extreme heat or cold can affect your comfort level while working in a garage. A non-toxic, oil-based sweeping powder can be used on hard or soft floors to include dust and dirt. Follow up by mopping with a degreasing cleanser and hot water. Treat oil stains using a heavy duty laundry detergent, letting it set for 15 minutes before scrubbing with a stiff brush and wiping off. Let rough spots soak overnight and rinse away in the daytime.

Monthly Care

Take measures throughout the year to keep the upkeep of the garagedoor. When you relocate an object from the house to the garage, then store it in the proper place. Use that opportunity to examine the area and see whether anything could be disposed of or given since your last check. While an yearly spring cleaning is sufficient for heavy cleaning, monthly sweeping helps prevent the buildup of dust, dirt and other debris.

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