When you notice that it’s time to clean out your garage, things likely have already gotten out of hand. The close proximity and intimacy of areas like your closet and bedroom prompt frequent clean-outs. Your garage, on the other hand, may get less attention. “I’ll clean it out next week” can quickly turn into next month—and then you’re suddenly staring at a cluttered mess of seasonal gear, forgotten tools, and overstuffed storage bins.
“Garages can be overwhelming and a lot to tackle at once,” says Audra George, owner and pro-organizer at Pretty Neat, a professional organizing company. “Break the garage up into sections and work on one section at a time,” she suggests. “In each section, start by decluttering and getting rid of anything you no longer need; give things a good cleaning as you go.”
Here’s your guide to the items you can—and should—ditch first when cleaning out your garage.
Audra George, owner and pro-organizer at Pretty Neat: An Organization Solution, a professional organizing company in Oklahoma City, Okla., serving unorganized, overwhelmed, and busy families
Expired Products
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Garages can quickly collect old paint cans, cleaning supplies, and half-empty bottles of chemicals. Many of these items have a shelf life—and they can be dangerous when improperly stored. Check for expiration dates on old motor oil, antifreeze, brake fluid, and pesticides, and evaluate cleaning products and cans of paint over a year or two.
Check with your local waste disposal facility for instructions on how to safely dispose of chemicals.
Broken Tools and Equipment
You know the ones: that bent, barely functional rake, the weed trimmer that’s been out of commission since last summer, those falling-apart ice skates. Unusable tools and equipment are among the first items George suggests you toss. Holding onto broken items gobbles up valuable garage real estate—and the space they take up will make you feel as if you making a big impact more quickly.
Consider what can be repaired or repurposed before it goes into the trash pile. Maybe the parts are worth saving or can be used for a DIY project. If not, let them go.
Ill-Fitting Coats and Shoes
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If your garage has become an extension of your closet, it’s time to toss the apparel and shoes that don’t fit or have gone seasons without being worn. Garages can be dumping grounds for winter boots and coats once the weather warms, so take a few minutes to sort through and try everything on. Donate items that are in good shape but don’t fit or no longer suit your personality or lifestyle.
Unnecessary Boxes and Storage Bins
While useful for storage, unnecessary boxes and bins can take up a lot of space, notes George. Empty cardboard boxes should be broken down and recycled. Unmarked bins should be opened and sorted: Toss the things that you don’t need or can’t remember the last time you used them. Keep the things that truly serve a purpose, whether important documents, sentimental items, or useful tools. Commit to a clean, organized space by giving those bins a good once-over and getting rid of what’s simply taking up space.
Second-Tier Seasonal Décor
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If stored in your garage, go through your seasonal décor. Maybe you’ve upgraded your holiday decorations to something fresher and more your style. If the garlands, lights, and ornaments are gathering dust year after year, it’s time to let them go, recommends George.
If it’s damaged or too outdated to be useful, let it go. Recycle any materials that can be repurposed (think: ribbons, etc.), and donate or discard what’s no longer worth storing.
Anything You Haven’t Used in the Last Year
Items that have long gone unused have got to, says George. For example, old soccer balls, baseball bats, and sports gear from abandoned hobbies can pile up in garages. If the gear is in decent shape, consider donating it to a local school or charity where others can get use out of it. Old furniture (like that wing-backed chair you never found a place for) can also be sent to a thrift store.
Be it gardening tools, old electronics, or scraps of wood or metal from forgotten DIY project, items that haven’t been used in a year or more should be re-evaluated. Give yourself permission to part with what no longer serves you, and you’ll be amazed at how much more organized and functional your garage can become.
