Get Your Garage Ready for Winter
1. Pick a Sunny Day
Check out the weather forecast and select a sunny, comfortable day to clean out your garage. Make sure there aren’t any rain, high winds or thunderstorms on the horizon that could sneak up and really put a crimp in your cleaning plans.
Check out the weather forecast and select a sunny, comfortable day to clean out your garage. Make sure there aren’t any rain, high winds or thunderstorms on the horizon that could sneak up and really put a crimp in your cleaning plans.
2. Empty the Garage
Move the cars out of the garage and toward the end of the driveway so you have lots of space to empty out the garage and make separate piles for different items.
Next, move larger equipment and tools out. You might want to take a few minutes to use a hose and rinse lawn mowers and other gardening equipment. Few things smell worse than rotting grass. Let the equipment air dry while you are cleaning the garage.
Move the cars out of the garage and toward the end of the driveway so you have lots of space to empty out the garage and make separate piles for different items.
Next, move larger equipment and tools out. You might want to take a few minutes to use a hose and rinse lawn mowers and other gardening equipment. Few things smell worse than rotting grass. Let the equipment air dry while you are cleaning the garage.
3. To Clean or Not to Clean Cabinets?
Depending on the amount of time you have, you may want to clean out storage areas and built-in cabinets. If you don’t have a lot of time, save those areas for a rainy day when you can focus on those specific spaces.
Depending on the amount of time you have, you may want to clean out storage areas and built-in cabinets. If you don’t have a lot of time, save those areas for a rainy day when you can focus on those specific spaces.
4. Clean Sweep
Once your garage is empty you can start the cleaning process. Start by sweeping out all large dirt particles, leaves and debris with a broom. Pick it up with a dustpan and throw it in a trash container.
Browse dust pans
Once your garage is empty you can start the cleaning process. Start by sweeping out all large dirt particles, leaves and debris with a broom. Pick it up with a dustpan and throw it in a trash container.
Browse dust pans
5. Blow It Away
Next you can use a leaf blower to push out all of the fine dust and dirt. Start at a rear corner of the garage and work your way out. You can also use the blower on the walls if everything has been cleared out. If not, use a wet-dry vac on the walls to remove dust and cobwebs.
Next you can use a leaf blower to push out all of the fine dust and dirt. Start at a rear corner of the garage and work your way out. You can also use the blower on the walls if everything has been cleared out. If not, use a wet-dry vac on the walls to remove dust and cobwebs.
6. Remove Oil and Grease
You will want to remove oil and gasoline spots from the garage floor. To do this, all you need are four basic items: baking soda, cleaning vinegar, liquid laundry soap and a scrub brush.
Start by sprinkling the baking soda over the area covered with oil or gasoline. Place the cleaning vinegar in a spray bottle and then spray it all over the baking soda. It will foam for a few minutes. Then place a few drops of laundry soap in the middle of the foam and scrub with a stiff brush. Rinse and repeat until the stain disappears.
You will want to remove oil and gasoline spots from the garage floor. To do this, all you need are four basic items: baking soda, cleaning vinegar, liquid laundry soap and a scrub brush.
Start by sprinkling the baking soda over the area covered with oil or gasoline. Place the cleaning vinegar in a spray bottle and then spray it all over the baking soda. It will foam for a few minutes. Then place a few drops of laundry soap in the middle of the foam and scrub with a stiff brush. Rinse and repeat until the stain disappears.
7. Let’s Get Organized
Now that your garage is clean, it’s time to put your items back in an organized fashion. Try to store as many items as you can above the floor of the garage. Snow and ice come into the garage on your car, and when it melts the water and moisture can get into your stored items. Keep things off the floor and safe from moisture and rot.
Now that your garage is clean, it’s time to put your items back in an organized fashion. Try to store as many items as you can above the floor of the garage. Snow and ice come into the garage on your car, and when it melts the water and moisture can get into your stored items. Keep things off the floor and safe from moisture and rot.
8. Look Up
Do some research ahead of time and take an inventory of items that could be stored overhead. There are overhead storage racks you can install that will get items off the floor of the garage and give you more storage area. Plastic storage bins are easy and affordable for organizing and storing items.
Do some research ahead of time and take an inventory of items that could be stored overhead. There are overhead storage racks you can install that will get items off the floor of the garage and give you more storage area. Plastic storage bins are easy and affordable for organizing and storing items.
9. Wall Storage
Covering a garage wall in pegboard is a good way to make the most of wall space. Hanging clips attached to a pegboard can hold up rakes, brooms and other tools. That gets items off the floor and makes them easily available for use.
Parking tip: Remember, when using the wall for storage you need to leave enough clearance for your car doors to open. A great trick is to hang a tennis ball from the ceiling at the height of your car’s windshield. Therefore, you can park in the same spot each time and have an established clearance on the front and sides of your car.
Covering a garage wall in pegboard is a good way to make the most of wall space. Hanging clips attached to a pegboard can hold up rakes, brooms and other tools. That gets items off the floor and makes them easily available for use.
Parking tip: Remember, when using the wall for storage you need to leave enough clearance for your car doors to open. A great trick is to hang a tennis ball from the ceiling at the height of your car’s windshield. Therefore, you can park in the same spot each time and have an established clearance on the front and sides of your car.
10. Custom Cabinets
If you have the budget, look into getting some custom cabinets for additional secured garage storage. Try to find cabinets that have metal on the bottom so they will be protected from moisture near the floor.
If you have the budget, look into getting some custom cabinets for additional secured garage storage. Try to find cabinets that have metal on the bottom so they will be protected from moisture near the floor.