15 Ways to Keep Your Garage Clean
Keeping your garage clean and organized can be challenging, but it’s essential for creating a functional and safe space. J.D. Griffiths is the expert at building, renovating, restoring, and servicing garages in the greater Milwaukee area. We’ve been the premiere garage building company Milwaukee relies on for over 75 years, so we know garages, inside and out! To help you keep your garage space spick and span so that its quality can be maintained for years and years to come, here are our top 10 ways to keep your garage clean, plus 5 bonus tips for garage enthusiasts!
1. Establish a Regular Cleaning Routine
It may seem simple, and it is, but this habit will help keep your garage feeling “like new” for so much longer. Set a schedule for cleaning your garage, whether it’s weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Stick to this routine to prevent clutter from piling up.
2. Declutter
Sort through the items in your garage and declutter regularly. Donate, sell, or discard items you no longer need or use. See Bonus Tip (11) below for a clever approach on how to maintain decluttering once an initial purge has been done.
3. Categorize and Organize
Group similar items together and use storage solutions like shelves, cabinets, and bins to keep things organized and easily accessible. Label the containers to make finding items more straightforward so you don’t end up with a huge mess every Christmas when the holiday decorations need to come out!
4. Utilize Vertical Space
Install wall-mounted shelves, hooks, and pegboards to maximize vertical storage. This will free up valuable floor space and make it easier to find tools and equipment. Helpful tip: hang your bikes too!
5. Invest in Storage Solutions
Having a designated spot for everything will help you maintain a clean garage. Use clear plastic bins or containers to store small items, allowing you to see what’s inside, without having to open them. To store larger items and tools, we recommend using heavy-duty shelving.
6. Create Zones
Divide your garage into specific zones for different purposes, such as a gardening zone, a sports equipment zone, and a workspace, to name a few. This will help maintain organization and make it easier to find what you need. This tip is essential for families! See Bonus Tip (15) below on how to get the whole family on board with keeping the garage clean.
7. Sweep and Clean Regularly
Keep the floor clean by sweeping regularly to prevent dust, dirt, and debris from accumulating. Utilize a shop vacuum to make clean-up even more efficient, especially for messes that are too big for the broom.
8. Use a Pressure Washer
Routinely pressure washing the inside (floors) and outside (walls) of your garage can provide many benefits such as maintaining a “like new” appearance and eliminating grim build-up. It’s an easy and affordable way to make a big difference in the cleanliness of your garage.
9. Store Hazardous Materials Safely
If you keep hazardous chemicals or materials in the garage, ensure they are stored securely and away from children and pets. Create a special zone for these items and make sure you’re routinely inspecting them for leaks, expirations, or other flaws that could cause issues for you or your family. Wisconsin weather is all over the charts, reaching some high heat temps in the summer and often below freezing temps in the winter. Make sure you’re storing materials properly throughout the changing seasons.
10. Create a Designated Storage System for Tools
Hang tools like shovels, rakes, and brooms on hooks or wall mounts to keep them off the floor and organized. Store in an accessible area but also away from high-traffic points of the garage to avoid congestion and potential hazards.
BONUS TIP (11): Implement a “One in, One Out” Policy
Do you feel like you’re always having to purge and declutter your garage? No matter how many times you clean it, does it still feels cramped and dysfunctional? Try this! When you bring something new into the garage, commit to removing something you no longer need. This will help prevent unnecessary clutter.
BONUS TIP (12): Maintain Good Airflow
Proper ventilation is essential, especially if you use the garage for activities like painting or woodworking. Open windows or use fans to keep the air fresh. Airflow is often overlooked but can be essential for minimizing things like mold or mildew growth, and odor build-up.
BONUS TIP (13): Check for Pest Infestations – Inside and Outside
Regularly inspect your garage and the outer perimeter for signs of pests like rodents or insects. Take action promptly if you notice any issues. Insulating your garage might be a good course of action to prevent any ‘intruders’.
BONUS TIP (14): Keep the Entrance Clean:
Establish a mudroom area just inside the entrance of the garage to remove dirt and debris from shoes before entering the rest of the space. This is sure to help you maintain cleanliness long after you’ve cleaned your garage.
BONUS TIP (15): Involve the Family
Encourage all household members to be responsible for their belongings in the garage and participate in keeping it clean and organized. This can look like assigning chores to teens that include keeping up with garage cleaning maintenance or giving them their own zone to keep a few outdoor recreation items. If the garage unintentionally becomes a hub for deconstructed Amazon boxes, work on establishing a flow and expectation of regular upkeep. A simple solution? Make taking care of the boxes each Saturday morning a rotating responsibility in the family (you too, moms and dads)!
Remember that maintaining a clean garage requires consistency and effort. Following these tips and staying organized can create a tidy and functional garage space for every kind of use. Giving your garage a thorough cleaning, inside and out, will also help you get the most out of this space and keep the value of your property up.
However, if your current garage is outdated, damaged, or just not doing it for you anymore, J.D. Griffiths is here to help! We offer garage makeovers and remodels, as well as complete teardowns and rebuilds to give you the detached garage you need for decades to come. To learn more about what to expect, give us a call to get a free garage project quote – 414-362-7222!
