It happens.
Slowly but surely, over time, your garage
becomes a cluttered mess. Between the tools, lawn and garden supplies,
mementos, holiday décor, sports equipment, and the boxes of “someday I might
need that again” items—you garage becomes an eyesore. If you have the spring
cleaning bug, and are ready to clean and
organize your cluttered garage once and for all, turn to the tips below.
The Key to Sorting
Organizational
experts from around the world have similar advice to share for cleaning out a
cluttered garage. It all begins with proper sorting. Keep things simple by
sorting items into 3 or 4 categories, but no more. The categories should be:
·
Keep—These are the tools, gear, holiday décor that you still use. A
great general rule of thumb is: if you forgot you had it or have not needed it in the past 12 months, you probably don’t
need it anymore. Mementos will also fall into the “keep” category, but set some
guidelines as for what qualifies as a true memento. Do you plan on keeping it
forever? Is it something your kids will truly want?
·
Donate
or Sell—There will be many items you no
longer need, but that are still in good working order. These items are
excellent for a summer garage sale, or to donate to a local non-profit. Also, consider making extra cash by selling
things on Craigslist or eBay.
·
Recycle/Trash—There are sure to be many items that are damaged, broken, or
simply trash. These items must be properly recycled or thrown out. Consider
setting aside a box for any items that need to be shredded, so that no
sensitive or private information is lost.
·
Give
To Friends Or Family—This last
sorting category is optional, and must be managed with care. The goal is to
clean and organize your cluttered garage, so if you are going to set aside
items for friends and family, confirm they want the items, and that they will
retrieve them in a reasonable timeframe.
Don’t Underestimate the Trash—Rent A Garbage Bin
What is sure to
surprise you when cleaning out the clutter in your garage is the amount of
trash or large items that must be disposed of. This is why we suggest that you
plan ahead by renting a garbage bin. This will limit the number of trips to and
from the dump, and will ensure that the clutter is cleared promptly. Our
smallest bins take up no more room than a car or van, and can be removed just a
few days after delivery.
And if you are going to rent a garbage bin to clean out your cluttered garage, also consider cleaning
and sorting your closets, attic, or basement at the same time!