It's time to clean the garage

You may be feeling a little down after the bustle and hustle of the holidays. Why not chase the winter blues with a healthy dose of exercise in the form of housecleaning and organization? There is a lot that can be done well before the nice weather sets in. Besides, you don’t really want to spend those beautiful spring days cleaning, do you? Yes, even the garage can be done. We do enjoy some pleasant weather during the winter months. Anyway, it doesn’t have to be really warm for you to tackle the outdoor chores. The cool air won’t bother you once you get going!

One of the first things that you might want to check on is the garbage pick-up for large items. If their schedule does not comply with when you are planning to finally get rid of the junk in your garage, then ask if you can drop it off. Don’t forget to make sure that you have the permits that might be needed. Next, you may want to consider a garage sale. Having a garage sale on a beautiful Saturday morning in February can be an event that you can enjoy putting together as a family. Of course, you can also inquire about donating some of the items to your favorite, local charity.

Now that you have a few ideas about where to go with the paraphernalia that you no longer want, let’s talk about organizing everything that you decide to keep. Before you begin, take inventory and categorize everything. Make sure that you have agreed on what can be discarded. Then, create some type of plan as to what should be where. For example, the tools which are needed frequently can be stored in an area that is easy to access. Large, bulky items can be placed toward the back corner. Take a look around the garage. Is there storage space that can be created on the walls? Can you put up a couple of beams to store those long pieces of wood that you didn’t need on the last project? Creating space as well as organizing your things prior to starting will help the project to be finished quickly and efficiently.

When brainstorming as to how to actually store your things, you can choose from one of the many types and sizes of storage containers that are available for purchase or you can make something to custom fit the space or the items that you want to store. Again, the key here is in planning ahead. Shopping for what you need on the same day that you plan to clean the garage is not a good idea. In your hurry to achieve both goals, you are likely to miss the sales for containers or whatever you need that would help to keep the cost down for the project. Before you make your selections, make sure that you have measured the size of the space. You do not want to purchase or make storage boxes that will not fit the space that you have appropriated or are too small for the items that you need to store.

Depending on your choice of hobbies, the garage may contain an array of gardening or automotive tools or sports equipment. Not having these organized in some way becomes extremely aggravating when you are trying to locate the tool or hockey stick that you need. Fortunately, there are a number of solutions.

If you have children, you have sports equipment in the garage. When it comes to bike riding, adults as well as children are enjoying the benefits. The storage for the bikes must be easy to use. For one, you want to encourage, not discourage, everyone to put their bikes away when they are finished riding. Bike storage is not just for organization; it is also for maintaining the bikes in good condition and preventing theft. A storage pulley system will allow the bike to be suspended from one of the rafters in the garage. The Delta Picasso Bike Rack mounts on the wall and can hold two bikes. Its accessory shelf is great for the helmets and other bike riding accessories. This rack folds flat when not in use. For the younger children, the Ready To Ride Trike folds up for easy storage on a wall hook.

Soccer balls, basketballs, baseballs and more tend to clutter the garage as well as become safety hazards. The On-Floor Sports Organizer has a place for baseballs, bats, footballs, basketballs and accessories. Golf bags do present a storage problems. They are big, bulky and seem to be in the way when they are not in use. The Sports/Golf Storage Center holds two full golf-club bags, a few hockey sticks, tennis rackets or baseball bats. It also has two shelves to store shoes, balls or accessories. You’ll be happy that you have a storage unit when you are able to find your equipment much faster for those early Saturday morning games.

For the tools, there are stackable units that allow the storage area to grow along with the collection. The Craftsman Two Drawer Project Center With The Bulk Storage Area is a good base unit. A nifty idea is the Craftsman Hang On Side Cabinet which connects to either side of the roll-away cabinet or any flat surface. The Magnetic Tool Bar also mounts to the side of the tool chest and holds wrenches, screwdrivers and other frequently used tools. Then, there are the magnetic labels that attach to the drawers so that you can easily locate what you are looking for. So that your tools do not disappear, these cabinets also lock.

A metal back board is an ideal solution for those items that you have to keep very handy. First, hang some hooks on the board. Then, gather your small tools, those rolls of tape that you are always losing, scissors, safety glasses and much more. Most of the boards have a top shelf with holes for mounting a shop light.

Storage shelves are perfect for all of those paint cans, oil cans, and more that are shoved into every nook and cranny in the garage. How about that leather cleaner that you used one time for the car that you sold? The Berg 3 Shelf Corner Storage Unit fits nicely into the small corner space. The Three, Four or Five Shelf Steel Rack with Work Benches from Do Able provides a place for storage as well as for work. Wall mounted shelves or a cabinet organizer will allow you to utilize every spare inch of wall space for storage. The metal wire shelves remain virtually dust-free and allow you to see what is on the top shelves easily. It is important to make sure that the shelves do not become cluttered. Don't forget your batteries. A battery organizer can be a life saver if the power goes out, or if you need find some quickly. Try to maintain some organization by putting things that are alike or are used together on the same shelf.

Work areas need to be clear and well-lit for safety. Everybody complains about not having enough room to dedicate to a work area; however, having one actually saves time and helps you to complete the project more efficiently. You don’t need a large area for the Craftsman 2-Drawer Workbench, Ball Bearing with Bulk Storage Shelf. If you need cabinet space and a workbench, Do Able provides an extra large workbench with a double door base cabinet.

A combination unit for the work area that includes the work bench, drawers or cabinet for bulk storage, a back wall board and a light not only saves space but also centralizes all of your needs for the project.

The corner of the garage that contains the rakes, shovels, and other large tools used for the lawn and garden is usually a mess. The jumble that is created when you try to retrieve a rake or a shovel is frustrating. Everything is such a tangled mess that removing one tool usually causes the remaining items to slide to the floor in a heap. There are a number ways to mount these items. A simple, inexpensive solution is to hang them on nails or use a large garbage can. However, investing in a garden tool rack definitely provides a longer term and more organized way of storing your garden tools. If you want to be able to move your tools to the garden or yard, the tool rack with wheels might make things easier for you. A wall-mounted tool rack will keep the tools off of the ground as well as give you additional, clear floor space. If you need a place for garden gloves, then look for a wall rack with a large shelf attached for those extra gardening accessories.

Seasonal equipment and furniture needs to be moved around. In winter, your snow blower may need a readily accessible location. However, during the summer months, it could be moved to an unused back corner. When planning the re-organization of your garage, make sure to accommodate the moving of seasonal items. For lawn mowers, snow blowers and other large outdoor equipment, the purchase of a storage shed may be the best solution. Another possibility for storing large items, such as lawn chairs, is the overhead storage rack. These are also great for the large bulky items that are not used frequently.

Easy to assemble, outdoor storage sheds can provide the additional storage space when your garage simply is not big enough! The kits come in a variety of styles and colors to complement the house and yard. The Tudor Cedar Shed is handcrafted to provide stylish storage for almost everything from garden tools to winter supplies for boating and fishing gear. The stylish shed has a rounded door and 3 shelves (2 are adjustable). The Rubbermaid Home Storage Sheds are easily assembled with basic tools. The large, vertical sheds have two lockable doors. For a medium-sized unit, a slide-lid storage shed with a lid that slides back for easy walk-in access is ideal for storing bikes and lawn equipment. For the smaller tools, a deck box is just the right size. The storage bench is a perfect addition for the patio area. It will provide seating for your guests as well as a decorative, storage area.

Now is the time to organize the garage. Plan your strategy, watch for sales for items that you will need, get to work! Make it a family occasion by getting everyone involved. The exercise will do wonders for your mental attitude and help you to forget all about winter.