Cleaning and improving your garage
Got a garage that's become an eyesore inside and out? You are not alone: 36% of Americans polled say their garages are so cluttered they can no longer park vehicles within; and 62% of adults surveyed believe their garage is the most cluttered space on their property, according to a recent study conducted by Black & Decker's Craftsman brand.
Let's face it - the garage is often an easy place to collect junk and overlook when it's time for spring cleaning. But it doesn't have to be this way.
"When your garage is a mess, it can be hard to find anything. And when you can't find what you need because of all the clutter on shelves and flooring everywhere, this makes storing and finding important items more difficult," explains Olivia Parks, a professional organizer in New Orleans.
It can also make it more challenging to fit your parked car within the garage.
"In addition to being able to find things more easily within the garage, you can cut back on dust and clutter by cleaning and organizing this space," says Andre Kazimierski with Improovy in Chicago. "The risks of not keeping up with this might mean pests moving in."
Keep in mind that a clean, well-organized garage can be the ideal space for DIY projects and home repairs, points out Johnny Brooke, owner of Crafted Workshop in Asheville, North Carolina.
"A well-organized garage is a haven for productivity, while a cluttered garage is frustrating to work in," he notes.
The first step toward making your garage more efficient and organized is to thoroughly clean it out.
"You first need to get everything out of the garage and out of your way. Once that's done, work from the top down - getting rid of any cobwebs near the ceiling and wiping down any dirt or debris on the walls," suggests Brooke. "This is also a good opportunity to patch any holes and do some touch-up painting."
Next, it's time for extra elbow grease. Thoroughly sweep out the garage from corner to corner, vacuum up any area rugs and scrub or mop the floor - making sure to apply extra pressure to tough stains that have accumulated.
Before putting back the stuff you hauled out, sort them carefully into categories, like tools, sports equipment and holiday decorations.
"It's time to bring in organizational products that can help keep your space organized, like a 27-gallon tough storage bin from a home improvement store like Home Depot," Parks suggests.
"Using storage bins, you can carefully place your sorted category items within. I would also add easy-to-read labels to each bin with their respective category," Parks says. "Labeling allows you and your family to understand where items reside in your home but also helps keep your space organized longer."
Aim to utilize any empty wall space with hanging hooks, hanging storage racks and shelves you can install - the perfect spots to store some of those bins you filled.
"Lower on the walls, I would add shelving, pegboards and hook and track systems to store more frequently used items," adds Brooke.
Just be careful: Keeping heavy items high up on shelves can present a safety risk, cautions Kazimierski.
Consider also addressing any poor sealing within your garage.
"Focus on air-sealing the space. Look for any wall penetrations that could bring in bugs and outside air, like electrical and plumbing connections. Use something like Great Stuff Gaps & Cracks spray foam to seal around these openings," Brooke continues. "If you have windows or doors leading outside from your garage, make sure the space between the door jams and the framing is air-sealed, too, as this is another great spot for pests, allergens and unconditioned air to work its way in."
Lastly, check the bottom seal where your garage door meets the floor. These seals tend to wear out over time and are another major culprit for grass, dirt and bugs.