The garage is usually the most cluttered place in the house: after all, people tend to store everything there. Whether an old bike, piles of clothes that have to be thrown out, or even a set of drums – you will probably find a lot of useful and at the same time unused stuff in your garage. But now may be the best time to get rid of it and finally organize the place.
However, that’s not so easy. Even thinking about decluttering all that space can seem frustrating, as it will probably take much time. Don’t worry, though – we’re here to help. In this article, you’ll find several helpful ideas that will help you deal with the mess in your garage quickly and efficiently.
Spending some time every day in your garage, asking for help, decluttering first, organizing next, dealing with toxic materials, buying new organizers, and so on – these are some of the things that we will cover. Read on, learn more about them – and make your garage a better place.
Taking Everything Out: It’s Worth It
We’re sure that you’ve already had the idea to spend some time in your garage and deal with that mess. However, before you start organizing everything and go shopping for garage organizers, you need to take everything out and get rid of all the garbage.
Of course, not all of the stuff that you will find in the garage will be useless – but if you want to get rid of the clutter once and for all, you need to check each item. Pick up everything and put it on a table or the floor – and then decide whether to keep it or not. If you are throwing something out, don’t just make a pile on the floor – prepare garbage bags or boxes for donations and put the unnecessary stuff there. In case you have a lot of things to deal with, you can go here to have a large container delivered right in front of your door, this is a pretty convenient way to dispose of garage waste.
The best way to go through that process is to devote some time – for example, an hour – every day to spend in the garage. This way, you won’t get tired quickly, and the mess will gradually disappear.
Decluttering Your Garage: Organize Everything by Category
While taking everything out of your garage, try to organize it by category, so that you can easily find something when you need it again. It will also be easier to throw something away when you know which category it belongs. This way, you won’t waste time later and will be able to deal with the process quickly. Here are some ideas to help you organize your garage by category:
Reusable Items: You Can Sell Them or Give Them Away
Check if there are any reusable items in your garage. For example, if there are any tools or fishing equipment there, try giving them away or selling them on eBay or Craigslist (of course, if you are not planning to use it). You can also ask your neighbors if they need any of those things – and let them pay you for it or simply give some stuff away.
Large Appliances: Try to Sell Them or Throw Them Away
If there are any large appliances in your garage, you might want to consider selling them as well. For example, if you have a broken refrigerator that has been standing there unused for months, selling it is a great idea. You can check eBay and Craigslist to see whether there are any other people who want to buy such an appliance – and sell it to the highest bidder. If not, it’s time to throw it away – just make sure to do that properly.
Old Clothes: Get Rid of Them
When it comes to clothes, there’s one thing to remember: don’t keep anything that doesn’t fit you – or that doesn’t make you feel comfortable. If you have old clothes that are either too small or too big for you, or you simply don’t like them – it’s time to throw them away or donate to charity. You won’t miss them – trust us.
Old Books: Use Book Exchange or Donate to Libraries
If you have many books, it may also be the right time to get rid of them. However, don’t rush to simply throw them away: if they are still in good or appropriate condition, you can donate them to charities, libraries, or even give them away to your friends. And, if the books are pretty new, you can try to sell them online as well.
Old Computers and Electronics: Recycle Them
When it comes to computers and electronics, things are quite easy: they should be recycled. For example, if your old computer is still working well, you can utilize it with the help of your local computer stores or non-profit organizations (look for them online). And if your old computer or TV works, you can also donate it to a local school or charity organization – and make a child happy on Christmas morning.
Garbage: Don’t Forget About It
Once you’ve finished organizing everything in your garage by category, it’s time to get rid of all the garbage. That includes everything that doesn’t fit in your categories (like plastic bags full of random stuff) – as well as all of the things that have been thrown out of your garage by mistake.
You can either throw those things away yourself or call a contractor. The key thing to remember here is: don’t forget about them. Otherwise, they’ll pile up again after a while – and you’ll have to declutter your garage once again.
Final Thoughts: How to Get Rid of the Things You Don’t Need?
There are many things lying around your garage that you can throw away right now – and the sooner you start cleaning your garage, the better it will look and feel. To make it more manageable for you, remember: during the process, you can make many people happier – or even earn some money.
For example, ask your friends or family members to come visit you and take some items they might find useful. Or donate some things that are in good condition to libraries, children’s hospitals, or non-profit organizations. While that won’t bring you anything in exchange, it will help some people.
You can also sell your things on eBay or Craigslist – and earn money in the process. And if you don’t want to deal with the long process of donating or selling stuff, don’t hesitate to just throw it away (just make sure to do that in an environmentally friendly way). Good luck decluttering your garage – and have fun.