Is your garage looking a little scary this season? Maybe you missed the summer yard sale. And now you need to find a place to put away the garden tools. Here are some garage cleanout tips to make it a treat to organize and store stuff over the winter.

Planning and Sorting Your Cleanout

Every great cleanout starts with a plan.

1. Set a goal about what you want to accomplish. Whether it’s to make room for your car or be able to access your snowblower, give yourself a framework to work with.
2. Schedule time. Not everyone has hours in a day to clear clutter. But once you have a goal, you can prioritize smaller tasks to get you there faster. Maybe you collect one bag full of trash or sort through one shelf at a time. Break it down into manageable chunks so you don’t break down mentally and physically.
3. Designate an area or box for sorting items into different categories: keep, donate, sell, recycle, toss. It may be easier to go through things you know you’re going to toss first and get them out of the way.

With a plan in place, sorting can commence. Keep the following in mind when you’re deciding what group each items goes into:

1. Keep: Items you use regularly. Be honest with yourself. If you haven’t used something in a year, consider getting rid of it.
2. Donate/Sell: Items in good condition that you no longer need or use.
3. Toss/Recycle: Broken or obsolete items. Remember, any hazardous material—such as fuel and paint—needs to be disposed of properly.

Whatever you decide to do with any gasoline-powered equipment, make sure to drain the fuel before tossing, donating, or storing for winter.

After you’ve planned and sorted through your garage, it’s time to clean and organize.

Cleaning and Organizing Your Garage

Hopefully your garage is less cluttered after sorting through the items you want to get rid of. This should make cleaning and organizing easier.

1. Clean thoroughly before putting any items away. Clear away cobwebs and dust from the ceiling and shelves. Depending on how dirty the area is, consider wiping down the walls, cleaning windows, and pressure-washing the floor. While you’re clearing the area, it’s an ideal time to check for signs of pests and seal any cracks around windows and doors.
2. If your garage could use more storage solutions, maximize the space by utilizing hooks, ceiling racks, and wall-mounted organizers to keep tools, bikes, and other equipment off the floor.
3. Create storage zones. Make it easier to find what you’re looking for by keeping similar items in one spot. One corner could be dedicated to gardening, another for sport equipment, and another for seasonal decor. You can rotate where the seasonal items are so it’s easier to reach during that specific time of year.

With the space clean and more organized, you can start to focus on the upcoming season and make sure you can easily access whatever you need for winter.

Tips from Garage Cleanout to Winter Prep

The garage may be a great place to store stuff throughout the year, but it can really come in handy in the winter. A clean and well-organized garage can also double as a mudroom and carport to make this cold, dark season a little more manageable.

1. If you’re keeping your car in the garage, make sure you mark off the space to arrange storage around it.
2. Keep shovels, salt, and other winter necessities easily accessible.
3. Add coat hooks and drying racks by the door to hang dripping gear.
4. Run safety checks on your garage door and lighting to help ensure everything is functioning properly to prevent malfunction and hazards.

Think of how functional a cleaned out garage can be. If you can keep it clear all season, you’re less likely to have to do a major cleanout next year. But if you do, don’t worry, help is available.

Let JDog Junk Removal & Hauling Help with Garage Cleanout Tips

If the thought of cleaning out your garage is as scary as the latest thriller, don’t worry, we won’t make you do it alone. JDog Junk Removal & Hauling provides garage cleanout services to help you remove any unwanted items and dispose of them responsibly. We’ll even donate the items that can be used again, so you don’t have to worry about another task. Call 844-GET-JDOG to learn more and receive transparent pricing. When you schedule any of our junk removal and hauling services, you can expect us to be punctual and get the job done with Respect, Integrity, and Trust.