We know how easy it is for your garage to turn into a dumping ground! Anything you don’t want in the house, just throw it into the garage right? Seems like a good storage solution at first, but it can become a problem when you can’t find the things you need, or you’re double buying because you can’t remember what you own! If this sounds like a problem you can relate to, then it might be time you had a good old garage clear out. This can sound like a daunting task at first, but do not fear, with Helpling’s top tips you’ll be able to tackle it with minimal stress!
1. Take everything out
First things first move everything out of your garage – and yes we mean everything! This is a great way to see what you actually own and what your space is looking like. This will make it much easier when you come to think of storage solutions for the items you are going to keep.
2. Decide what you’re keeping
This is where you need to be brutal. Only keep things you really really need. A good keep criteria to bear in mind is:
- Keep any items you’ve used more than once in the last year.
- Keep any items in working condition. Get rid of any tools you’ve been “meaning to fix” for the last 6 months.
- Keep any items you can’t easily replace, rent or borrow.
3. Donate, bin or sell unwanted items
Now you have a pile of items you are definitely keeping, it’s time to tackle those items that you no longer need. Separate these items into three categories: donate, sell, and bin.
- Donate: If some of your items are still in decent condition, but you don’t need them anymore, consider donating them to a charitable organisation.
- Sell: If you want to make a bit of money off your garage clearout, consider selling some of your unwanted items. You could hold a garage sale, or even list them online on websites such as Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace.
- Bin: Any items which are looking a bit worse for wear or aren’t actually working anymore, need to be binned!
4. Deep clean
Once your garage is empty, it’s time to get your cleaning on! We know having an empty garage is a rare occurrence, so it’s the perfect opportunity for a deep clean. When cleaning most rooms, it’s better to start top to bottom, so begin dusting the tops of cabinets and shelves. Next, wipe down your garage walls with a bucket of warm soapy water and a clean cloth. Finally, sweep and mop the garage floor before putting your items back into the space.
5. Organise the space
Now you have a more manageable amount of items to put back in your garage think about clever storage solutions. Invest in shelves, cabinets, drawers, and hooks for the wall to store your items. Labels are also a great way to clearly differentiate between tools!
Remember clearing out your garage doesn’t have to be a super stressful task. If you plan ahead and work in a methodical manner you’ll be able to easily get the job done. Just take your time and have plenty of tea breaks too!
