The coming of spring is usually when the growing junk pile in the garage finally grabs our attention. One day when you want to get your bike out for an afternoon ride, you realize there’s no clear path to rescue it from the unassuming clutches of the junk side.
Luckily, there are ways to tame a jumbled garage and move forward with an organized, well-maintained space. Read Precision Door’s garage spring cleaning and maintenance tips to see how it’s done!
Tip #1: Commit to Getting Rid of the Clutter
If you’re going to truly transform your garage, it’s going to take at least an afternoon’s efforts. Here’s what we recommend:
- Use all of your resources: Enlist whoever is home from school or work to help (especially those who have a stake in the junk!).
- Evaluate individual pieces, sports equipment, tools, etc.
- Anything you don’t use, add to a pile for Goodwill. Anything that’s damaged or rusted, get rid of and make a note to replace it if necessary.
Tip #2: Reorganize the Space
Before you bring everything back in—though the magnitude of stuff is hopefully much less than what you started with—you want to think about your priorities for the garage. For example, if parking room is important to you and you’re working toward having enough space to park your lawn mower and car indoors, take that into consideration.
- Determine categories for the stuff you’re going to keep and group them into designated zones. Example: kids’ games, Mom’s workout gear, gardening tools.
- Attach a color to each zone. This has been shown to help things better get back to where they belong once reorganization is complete.
Tip #3: Add Shelving and Storage
Now that your zones have been decided, it’s time for shelving and storage. Here are a few things to consider:
- Use vertical storage if your garage allows. Just remember that the higher you store, the more challenging it will be to get what you need out of storage. The things you’ll need often should stay at ground level.
- Replace cardboard boxes (a favorite nesting place for rodents) with plastic bins with colorful toppers (or colorful tape) to indicate which belongs to each zone.
Tip #4: Assemble a Tool Wall
One organization technique that works well for tools is to create a tool wall. This method gives every tool its own place and an easy way to see what’s missing. Here’s how you do it:
- Hang your tools equidistant on a designated garage wall.
- Next, trace around each tool’s shape using a pencil.
- Remove the tools from the wall and go back in with a black marker to solidify your lightly penned outlines.
Tip 5: Give Your Garage Door a Tune-Up
Your garage door is likely one part of your garage that you don’t think about unless there’s a problem with it. However, garage door manufacturers strongly recommend annual maintenance for your garage door similar to how your car’s owner’s manual calls for routine oil changes.
Regular maintenance can keep your garage door functioning safely and effectively and save you money in the long run. Here are some garage door maintenance tips:
- Never perform garage door maintenance on your own. A garage door system involves many reactionary parts that can cause injury if not engaged properly.
- Repairing your garage door instead of replacing it is a highly cost-effective option. If there’s an issue with your garage door’s operation, always look into part replacement first.
- Hiring a certified technician through a garage door company is your best bet for performing inspections and necessary upkeep.
We hope you found our garage spring cleaning and maintenance tips helpful! To learn more about garage door operation and maintenance, download our educational eBook Understanding Your Garage Door: How It Works & Who to Call.