5 Easy Step To Clean Out Your Garage - by Julia Ward

​The following is a guest blog written By Julia Ward of Monkey Bars Garage Solutions Located in Lincoln, NE:

Summer has finally arrived which means now is the perfect time to tackle the clutter and mess that occupies your garage. With so much stuff that has accumulated throughout the year, it’s hard to imagine how you’re going to organize it all. With these few tips and steps, you’ll have order restored to your garage in no time!
 
1.   Remove Everything
Pick a cooler day, open your garage door and start pulling everything out of all the nooks and crannies in your garage. Doing this allows you to see everything that is occupying your garage. Plus, it might give you the opportunity to find some things that went missing throughout the year. You’ll find things you probably didn’t even know you had.
 
2.   Make Piles
Organizing things into piles is the perfect way to sort through all of the items you’ve just removed. Separating these piles into 4 different groups like keep, donate, sell, or throw away, allows for a smoother and easier cleaning experience. When deciding whether or not to keep miscellaneous items in your garage use this standard rule; if you haven’t used it in the last 2 years, it’s probably time to part ways with it.
 
3.    Utilize Your Space
Now that everything is out of the garage, you have a clear space. Before you start moving everything back in, you want to make sure to make the best use out of the area. Decide where you’re going to put everything before-hand. Consider storage solutions such as shelving or cabinets to better organize your area. Make smaller tools and miscellaneous items more accessible so that when the time comes to use them, they are easily found. Also, keep in mind to leave room for bigger items like lawnmowers, workbenches, and even vehicles while still giving yourself enough room for a walkway.
 
4.     Move It All Back In
Now that you’ve strategized a place for all of your garage belongings, it’s time to move them back in. Stick to the plan you’ve laid out for yourself and remember that keeping things off of the ground not only creates more space but will also make it easier to sweep and clean throughout the year.
 
5.      Keep It Fresh
It’s no secret that the garage can be the home of some strange smells, especially in the summer when the weather is hot. Now that your garage is aesthetically and visually pleasing let’s work on keeping it pleasing to the nose as well. When the weather is nice, keep the door open to let it air out. Doing this often will keep it less stuffy and prevent smells from festering in an enclosed, hot space. Also, make sure to remove garbage as often as possible. This keeps animals and bugs from making your space their home. Feel free to add a nice air freshener as well to keep it fresh year round.
 
The “before” look of your garage can be overwhelming, but don’t let that keep you from having a clean and organized space. Following these simple steps allows you to have one more part of your life in order which in turn, will allow you to enjoy the remainder of you summer.