Now Is the Time to Tackle the Garage

It’s time to clean garages & storage spaces

Now is the time to tackle the garage!

Do chores feel like a waste of the beautiful cooler days? Although they are not at the top of our list of ways to spend a weekend, they are very important. Taking care of the most dreaded chores now will be your saving grace when it gets colder or (gulp!) warm again.

Start by grooming your garage and/or storage buildings. This should take about three hours if it is done regularly. If you haven’t worked on your garage in several years then it will take a little longer. It is also pretty hard work so I would not try to do it the same day you have tickets to the symphony.

As with any organizing process, the trick to cleaning is to clear the clutter. You can’t clean clutter. Make sure you have plenty of receptacles for the trash that will be generated throughout this process. Then start sorting!

For clarification, sorting is not moving things around to sweep behind them then putting them back where they were. Sorting is actually sorting into separate categories (sporting goods, tools, lawn supplies, etc.). There will also be a group for donate, trash, and borrowed items to be returned. The best way to accomplish this is to actually remove everything from the space that is not attached to the wall.

Storage is very important. If you do not have a shelving system already in place, invest in one now, whether by purchasing or building one. The purpose of shelving is to get as much as possible off the floor. At least 2” is the standard recommendation. This reduces possible flood damage or rodent habitation. Also utilize hooks with pegboards and rolling carts whenever possible. Be sure to identify the need before making the purchase. Know what you will use an item for then take measurements before purchasing.

Consider mapping out the space with blue painters tape. This will help you to visualize the results but also help family members become more aware of the new areas. Move items back in that you are 100% certain you have used in the past year. All other items should stay outside the garage for now.

Combine small items into containers. If you can use old baby food jars, you can install a magnetic strip for them to stick on. Try to keep all tools and their accessories together in the original case, if there is one. Consider shallow plastic tubs for specialized tools and their accessories. Be sure to label them.

Take a good hard look at what is left and be honest with yourself. Things that you “might” need are clutter. Things that were once used often but not so much now is clutter. Things that you do not use are clutter regardless of how much you originally paid for them. Do not move clutter back into the garage.

Remember that anything you move back into the garage will be moved out again in the spring. Be honest with yourself and you will do fine.

Have a Neat day!
Jennifer Snyder
Neat as a Pin Organizing Experts
http://www.neatasapin.net

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