How to Have a Clutter-Free Garage

The day you moved into your home, you probably savored the idea of owning your own garage. Unfortunately, time passed and reality set in: disorganized clutter and little room to walk, let alone park your vehicle. What happened? Like the rooms within your home, a well-ordered garage requires planning and regular maintenance. Even the messiest of garages can be cleaned up in a weekend with these five organizing tips.

Things You'll Need

• work gloves heavy duty garbage bags storage bins shelving units hooks, pegs, and ceiling mounted brackets, etc. utility armoire(s) chlorine bleach oil solvents dishwashing liquid hot water metal bucket scrubbing brush cleaning rags broom or vacuum cleaner painting supplies hand tools paper, pen/pencil, and tape (for list making) adhesive labels (optional)

Instructions

1. Create a clear vision. Before you do anything, decide what your "dream garage" will look like. Are you in need of a combination storage room and workshop? Do you need a gym or a place to keep your sports equipment? Do you just want room to house and maintain your car? Once you know how you will use the space, put your plan on paper. Choose what will stay and where it will be placed, and be ruthless about what must go. Plan to give away, donate, recycle, discard, or sell anything that you no longer want or need.

2. Sort and classify what you have. Group similar items together in boxes or storage bins. Winter items should be separated from summer gear, for example. Tools and car care items should be separated from gardening equipment, and hazardous waste items or outdated chemical products should be taken to an approved disposal facility. Have heavy-duty garbage bags available to throw out any garbage that can't be recycled in your area. Remove everything from the garage in this manner.

3. Clean and refresh the space. Mop, vacuum, or sweep the garage thoroughly. Begin with the ceiling and walls, move to the corners, and finish with the floor. Scrub clean all windows and shelves. Paint the walls if they need it. Use oil solvent cleaners to remove stains on the floor. You can find these at both automotive care centers and home improvement retail outlets, but grease-fighting dishwashing liquid, chlorine bleach, and hot water applied with a broom or scrubbing brush will work just as well.

4. Utilize your vertical space. Install fold-away workbenches, heavy capacity hooks and pegs, brackets, shelves, and ceiling mounted track systems. When you bring in your belongings again, raise as many items from the floor as possible such as tools, brooms, mops, garden equipment, and ladders by suspending them against a wall. Heavier items can be placed next to a doorway along the perimeter of the garage. Maintain as much space as possible in the center of the room to keep the area accessible. Purchase stackable plastic storage bins to keep seasonal décor sorted. Hinged-door utility armoires can keep smaller items out of sight.

5. Maintain your space. Resist the tendency to not put items back in their new designated spot once you have used them. Make sure your family knows where everything belongs so that they can help keep order. Use labels for smaller children if needed.

Tips & Warnings

• When cleaning your garage, write down a step-by-step action list and post it in a visible location so that you and anyone helping you will be more able to remember what needs to be done at every stage of the process.

• Avoid lifting very heavy items alone. Get someone to help, or leave that task for later when you will have more assistance. If you become injured, you won't be able to accomplish much.

Resources

• DIY Network.com shows you how to simplify garage cleaning.
• Get more garage makeover tips from DIY Network.