Twenty-five percent of garages are so cluttered there isn’t room for one car. They are a catch-all for garden equipment, tools, old toys, lumber, and other things you should never store in a garage. Here are things to get rid of now to make the space more usable. A clean and organized garage is healthier, pest-resistant, safer, and more useful.
Many of us have “just-in-case” disease. Just in case I need that exact thing, I’ll keep it. Or “as-soon-as” disease. As soon as I have time, I’ll get around to fixing that thing. Almost never happens. Just throw the stuff out to make room and relieve guilt feelings.
Paint Supplies
Temperature fluctuations ruin paint. Things stored in unheated garages freeze in colder climates. Frozen paint separates and can’t be reconstituted. If you think you may use the color again, take a picture of the can and write down the color combinations so you can reorder it. Paint is also a fire accelerant.
Unopened paint can last for over 10 years but it needs to be stored in a place where temperatures don’t fluctuate much–like a basement. Take any open cans to a hazardous waste recycling location.
Garbage
Storing garbage in the garage makes it smell bad, takes up room, and invites pests like mice and cockroaches. Get it out of the garage and into sealed containers. Recyclable cans and bottles take up a lot of space. Take them back regularly or donate them to an organization doing a bottle drive.
Unused Baby Things
Unless an item has great sentimental value, pass baby strollers, car seats, clothes, and toys to someone who can use them now. Car seats, for instance, have an expiration date. They are not safe to use after they expire. Saving things for grandchildren just wastes space.
Broken Or Unused Decorations
Tangled strings of Christmas lights that may work, broken decorations, Halloween stuff you no longer use, etc. just take up space. If you are not using it now, you probably won’t in the future. Garage sale, donate, or garbage clear space in the garage.
Broken Or Unused Tools
The list of broken or worn-out tools and equipment stored in garages is almost endless. Some are kept for parts, some to be repaired later, and some are just forgotten about. Make an honest assessment and get rid of things taking up space for no good reason.
Old lawnmowers and trimmers.
Broken hammers, bent screwdrivers, broken drill bits.
Old saws, dull blades.
Old dried-out caulking tubes, almost empty lubricant containers.
Etc.
Cardboard
Empty cardboard boxes take up a lot of space. Cardboard attracts insects and rodents. If the garage is humid enough the boxes will be worthless anyway. Buying new boxes is not expensive. Don’t save old ones.
Old Papers and Files
Like cardboard, papers attract pests. Silverfish and cockroaches eat bookbinding and paper. If the papers are important, store them safely where temperature, humidity, and pests are not a problem. Shred and throw out anything else.
Old Or Seasonal Clothing
Moths, mold, and pests can more easily attack clothes and shoes in a garage. If they are old or outdated, donate them, try to sell them at a garage sale, or throw them away. Anything you still plan to wear should be stored safely in the home.
Unused Electronics
If they weren’t good enough to use three months ago, they’ll be even more outdated and worthless in three years. High humidity in garages causes rust on delicate electronic components.
Unused Exercise and Sports Equipment
If it hasn’t been used for years, it probably won’t be. Sell it, donate it, or toss it. Extra room in the garage is more valuable.
Garage sales are a good way to declutter your garage. Your customers may have a use for the things you are selling. Throw out or donate anything that does not sell. The market is telling you that there is no need to keep it.
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