Easy Organizer: How to Have a Clean Garage

A reader wrote in to ShelterPop a few weeks ago with a dilemma that gives me little pings of anxiety just thinking about it:


I actually went through this situation a year ago exactly when I made the cross-country move from L.A. to a sleepy Midwest town. And although it wasn't an easy job, my friends gave me endless tips that proved useful on more than one occasion

1. Get out of here!
Remove everything from the garage, making three main piles for your "stuff":
1. Seasonal items that go in storage
2. Stuff to sell or giveaway
3. Stuff to store for easy access
From here, gather boxes, bins and trash bags and get to work. Label a few boxes "for sale" and a few boxes "to give away." Save the bins for more permanent storage, like seasonal coats, sporting goods and decor.

2. Take inventory
Once your garage is empty, re-think the way you are storing your items. Are your seasonal items difficult to reach with your easy access items in the front? Or are you battling boxes to find last year's Christmas tree? One of the biggest reasons garages attract so much clutter is because there is often a major lack of storage. Consider investing in a storage solution like Elfa, or purchase a few inexpensive shelving units from your local big box retailers.

3. Clean house
Sweep, disinfect and vacuum in necessary areas. When your garage is clean, you're less likely to bring in additional clutter you don't need.

4. Get creative
Consider a pegboard system for vertical tools, or perhaps you'd prefer an outdoor storage shed for your lawn mower and larger items.

5. Move in!
Move in your labeled bins and boxes into your newly-organized garage. Breathe a sigh of relief because you're finished!

Of course, you do still have one final step before you can partake in that celebratory glass of wine. Keep it organized. Clutter is entirely manageable when you stay on top of it, so make a pact to yourself that you'll never let your garage get that bad again. Deal?

For additional ideas on making your life a bit less cluttered, read more:
-5 Steps to Less Waste in 5 Minutes
-Storing Power Cords and Cables the Right Way
-Chores Made Easy: Clean Out Your Fridge: