What Not to Store in The Garage

While the garage is a great place to store gardening equipment, bikes, tools and of course, a car, some things shouldn’t be stored in a garage, according to This Old House. Cans of paint won’t last in a garage that isn’t temperature-controlled, and that extra fridge or freezer will consume lots of electricity. Pet food and paper products can attract a variety of four- and six-legged vermin, and propane tanks can present a fire hazard. Keep an ABC-rated fire extinguisher in the garage to ensure safety year-round, and consider an epoxy coating for the floor to keep the space cleaner.

Storage Solutions for a Spotless Garage

It’s easier to keep a garage clean when everything has its place. That’s why you should find storage solutions that work for you and the oddly-sized stuff that tends to get stored there, says Living Well Spending Less. Try stacking bins or pegboard for small tools, and use labeled jars for tiny items such as nails and screws. Hang long items such as rakes, ladders and shovels on the wall, and suspend bikes, canoes and kayaks overhead. Keep the things you use most often within easy reach, and you’ll find you put them back in the right places more often.

Sell or Donate Extra Garage-Bound Goods

Once you’ve cleaned the garage, you might have a lot of stuff sitting in the driveway that you don’t need or want to put back on the shelves. Why not kill two birds with one stone? Put price tags on anything you don’t want and have a garage sale. At the end of the day, box up anything that’s still outside and unwanted and call ClothingDonations.org for a pickup. A truck will come at the designated time and take all of that stuff away, leaving your newly cleaned garage uncluttered and easy to maintain — and helping fund veterans’ programs.

A Top-to-Bottom Scrubdown for the Garage

When was the last time you gave the garage a good cleaning? Chances are it’s been a while, and there’s no better time than the dead of summer. Pick a sunny day, and begin by taking everything out, Tidy.com says. Then, start at the top with the cobwebs on the ceiling and work your way down to the floor. Dust all surfaces, wipe down the walls and sweep — and when that’s done, scrub the floor with soap, water and a hose, or give it a good powerwash. When you’re done, the garage will be so clean that you might not want to move all that extra stuff back in!