Spring Cleaning: How a Garage Renovation Can Change Your Life!

By Ameeta Jain

Spring has sprung—the weather is getting warmer, the flowers and trees are blooming, and it’s time to open up the house and air out from the long winter. One of the first places to tackle for a great spring cleaning is the garage. This may seem daunting, because the garage is the go-to holding spot for a lot of junk. In fact, many people can’t even park their cars inside!

This big job can be made simpler by breaking it down into smaller steps, and the rewards for finishing cannot be understated. By freeing yourself of clutter and dirt that has probably gathered in your garage all winter, you can make your whole house a more comfortable and relaxing place to be! The following advice can help you clean and organize your garage in ways that will give you space you never knew you had!

Out with the Old

One of the first things to do with a garage during spring cleaning is declutter. The garage has many roles—storage space for seasonal items, storage for outdoor tools or recreation, or extra indoor storage, and sometimes the laundry appliances or extra pantry space is also here.

As a result, it tends to collect a lot of old stuff that is only collecting dust or mildew. This is not only bad for creating clutter, but breathing all of that in can make you sick. Experts recommend splitting your garage loot into a few piles, including ones labeled for recycling, donating, and throwing away.

Have a Plan

Once you’ve weeded out the clutter, it’s time to look at what’s left and decide how you want to store it. Grouping like items together, such as sporting equipment, bicycles, gardening and yard tools, and holiday decorations can make this a lot easier. This can also give you an idea of whether or not you need storage containers or cabinets, and how big they need to be.

Don’t Store in Cardboard

Storage in a garage is a little tricky because while most of the house is insulated, the garage generally is not air conditioned and has a lot of gaps through which outside weather or wildlife can get in.

Weather can cause dampness and mildew while animals can make nests in the things you have stored. This can be easily avoided by using plastic or metal storage rather than cardboard. Cardboard is porous, absorbent, and insects and vermin tend to lay eggs or nest in it.

Use Hanging Space

Space on the ceilings and walls can help save space on the floor that you need to walk, sit, or park your car. Using hooks of varying sizes for bikes and scooters can keep them from cluttering things up or obstructing travel and parking. Storage racks can be great for tools and sporting goods. Recycle old jars by gluing the lids to the bottom of a shelf and storing your small parts like screws and bolts. Vertical space often becomes wasted when people don’t use their walls for storage. Even shelves and cabinets can be taller to use the height of your garage!

Don’t Forget the Door

While the garage door is often the most-seen part of the garage, it is also the most overlooked. If your garage door is automatic, now is a good time to check the motor and oil any gears that may have rusted or gotten stuck, but if things look messy or confusing up there or you are not sure what you are doing, hire a professional to do this instead.

Washing your garage door can enhance the exterior of your home by virtue of the the cleanliness, and can be done with a simple garden hose and some dish detergent or Borax. Make sure you clean the inside, too!

Spring cleaning indoors often sees items relocated to the garage, making this space the best place to start. What looks like a difficult and tiresome chore can result in yard sales, upcycled goods, and exploring family memories. Now that Spring is here, start your cleaning off by following the above tips and turning your garage into a productive space!