Did winter take its toll on your garage? It is so cold where we live that no one wants to go out to the storage room to put things away when it is freezing outside so things are just put in the garage to be taken to the storage room later. Now it is spring so it is time to clear clutter in the garage again. Here are 10 tips on how to clear clutter in your garage:
The first thing to clearing clutter from your garage is to decide what you want your garage to be used for. Do you want space to park your car? Do you want to set up a workbench area? Will you need storage for gardening supplies? Do you use this area to store seasonal yard art?
After deciding how you want to use your garage let’s get started on clearing clutter. Be sure to wear casual to grungy clothes because this can be a dirty job. Get a pair of gloves to wear. Cotton is nice as your hands don’t get as hot and they protect your hands from dirt and you can pick up anything without saying, �yuck, I’m not touching that�.
If it is possible bring your garbage can into the garage. This will save you time and energy from running back and forth to the can. Or use large heavy trash bags; don’t use the thin ones that cost lest�"you will hate yourself as you go to lift it and it breaks letting everything fall to the floor.
Use boxes or bags for donation items. Put a piece of tape on the bag and label it with a marker. Do the same for the recycle bag or bring your recycle container into the garage.
If music makes you energized play some upbeat music. It may help take the drudgery of the work. Clearing clutter can often be seen as a chore to be dreaded. But keep in mind your end goal that you have set for yourself in the beginning, this makes it easier.
Start working in one particular place, break the garage down into small areas and work in that area until you have the trash removed and you have made space for what you are using this area for. For instance: if it is sports equipment round up all the equipment that you can see in the garage and put it in containers all in one place. Unused trash cans and hooks on the walls work well to contain sports equipment of all types.
After you have sorted that area, move on to another area and do the same there. Think of your garage in terms of zones. Have a zone for each different purpose you are using the garage for. Hang all gardening tools together. Hooks on the wall, small buckets, drawers or other containers to keep all supplies together and contained help with not only clearing clutter but helps keep it organized.
A workbench area for tools like saws, screwdrivers, drills etc. will all be kept together in its own zone. A peg board works well to hang up tools and covered plastic containers for screws, nails and other small items keeps everything contained and easy to find.
Label any box that is being stored in the garage with what is in it. We think we will remember, but we don’t. This saves time and frustration when we are looking for something we need.
When the trash is removed, the recycle and donation boxes are bags are out of the garage and everything is in its own zone you have reclaimed your garage. Clearing clutter can be a big job but if it is done routinely it won’t be a job that you dread doing as it won’t be out of control.
Marilyn's Bio:
Marilyn is a professional organizer who works with women and seniors in clearing clutter and providing organizing tips. Clearing clutter helps those she works with to have less stress in their lives and feel more joy in living.
Marilyn invites you to visit her website http://www.marilynbohn.com where you can find organizing solutions. You will find fun stories and free organizing tips in her blogs, articles and videos.
