Are there unsightly stains on your garage floor? Are you having trouble finding your tools or parking your car in your garage? The mild spring weather and cool breezes make spring a great season to clean out your garage and do some deep cleaning. It can seem daunting to clean out your garage, especially if it has been neglected for so long and you use it as a primary storage space. We have some tips to help you clean out your garage.
Materials Required for Garage Cleaning
Make sure you have all the necessary tools and materials ready before you begin cleaning. This will ensure that you don’t have to run to the store or search your home for supplies after you finish cleaning out your garage. These are the things you will need
- Gloves
- Face masks
- Trash bags
- A shop vacuum
- Baking soda
- Liquid soap
- A scrub brush
- Use a non-abrasive sponge.
- A bucket
- The step ladder
- Storage Supplies
- A cleaning checklist
Although a hose or power washer can make life easier, it is not necessary. You should not use your power washer on your garage doors. Even at low settings, a power washer can damage your garage door.
Garage storage solutions may be a good option if you have lots of clutter. Pegboards, cabinets and shelves are great storage options. However, they are easier to install if the garage is empty. If you intend to donate unwanted items, plastic bins and storage boxes could be a good option.
It is a good idea to make a list of spring cleaning items for your garage before you begin. A well-organized list will help you avoid missing a step or making it difficult to return to where you were when you stop. Remember to take breaks when necessary. Although cleaning your garage may take some time and effort, it will be well worth it. It’s a great way of staying motivated by crossing off items as you go!
How to clean your garage
You are now ready to spring clean your garage. To make the process easier, break down the garage organizing and cleaning into smaller steps. These garage cleaning tips and steps will help you get rid of clutter.
1. Declutter
Even if you have a well-organized garage, it can be a pain to stop and move things around while cleaning the floor or walls. You can set your stuff outside the garage in your yard or driveway. Consider putting your belongings on the ground with a tarp or making empty boxes. It will be easier to organize your belongings if you start outside of the garage after you have finished cleaning.
There may be items in your garage that are not suitable for storage. Some materials can be damaged by the conditions in a garage, which can lead to dangerous situations for others. Garages can cause electronics to become damaged and canned food to go bad. Pests such as rodents and insects can be attracted to paper and firewood. Propane or gasoline can pose a danger if they are not properly stored. These items should be disposed of or moved to another storage location.
2. Dust and vacuum
The next step in garage clean-up is to remove dust. Dusting can make your garage appear cleaner and reduce allergy symptoms. Start at the top of your garage and work your way downwards. This will save you the time of dusting the concrete floor several times. It’s also better to not dust an area of the wall, only to get the dust up and back on it.
Now it’s time for vacuuming. A shop vacuum is better than sweeping a garage floor. Garage dust is too fine to pick up with a broom or dustpan. This means that you will end up pushing it around instead of removing it. You don’t have to just vacuum the floor. To clean ceilings and walls, you can also use a shop vacuum. Use a microfiber cloth dampened with water to remove dust.
This can cause a lot of dust to build up in the air as you work. For a pleasant cleaning experience, wear a mask.
You can also dustproof your garage by taking additional steps. A concrete sealer can be applied to your garage floor to protect it from dust.
You can also prevent dust from getting into your garage by using a variety of methods. Clean any garden equipment or lawnmowers before you store them in your garage. You can prevent grass seed and fertilizer from getting lost in your garage by using sealed storage containers.
Checking the seals on your garage door is an important step in keeping dust out. You can let dust in from the outside no matter how careful and diligent you are to keep it out.
3. Make sure to clean the garage floor
You can clean the floor of any stains after you have cleaned the dust off the walls. Garage floors can be stained by oil or rust. The stains will give your garage floor a new look and can even slow down the floor’s wear. For garage floors that are not scratched, a nylon bristle brush can be used.
Different types of stains require different cleaning products. Use dish soap or laundry detergent to clean oil stains. Allow the soap to sit for at least 45 minutes before adding water. Oil stains can be stubborn so it may take several scrubbings to remove them. Between cleanings, let the soap sit for between 10 and 15 minutes.
To remove rust stains, you can use white vinegar. Allow the stain to soak for approximately ten minutes before you begin scrubbing. This process may be repeated several times. Alternatively, you can use a mixture of water and baking soda-based laundry soap. The solution must sit on the stain at least for an hour. It should also be kept wet.
Mixing half a cup of baking soda and a gallon of warm water can be used to clean your home. To remove light stains, you can add a few drops of liquid soap to the mixture. Make a paste with baking soda and some dish soap to clean the areas.
After you have finished cleaning your garage floor, spray it with a power washer or hose to get rid of any extra cleaning solution. You can also finish cleaning concrete floors by mopping it.
4. Clean Garage Door Windows and Garage Door Windows
How clean your garage door will prevent rust and prolong the life of its finish. You should be careful when cleaning your garage door. You don’t want your paint or windows to get scratched. These steps will help you preserve your garage door while cleaning:
- Avoid solvent-based, ammoniated or abrasive cleaners.
- Use a non-abrasive sponge with a clean cloth.
- Do not use razor blades, squeegees, or any other sharp tool that could scratch your windows or damage the paint to scrape your doors or windows.
- Avoid using a power washer to clean your garage doors and windows.
Mild dishwashing soap and a soft towel are simple but effective ways to clean garage door windows.
Use either dishwashing soap, or car wash soap to clean your door. Use a sponge or nonabrasive towel to wipe the soapy water off your door. Your door should be cleaned from the top to the bottom. A step stool is likely to be needed for this task. You should clean the exterior and interior sides of the door.
You will need to wax steel doors. This can be done with the same liquid wax that you use for your car. You can also apply the resin to your garage doors and windows. Applying wax to your garage doors can help protect them from fading paint, hairline scratches, and minor abrasions.
After your garage door has been cleaned, inspect it for damage or wear. You can spot potential problems before they get worse by inspecting your garage door. You can seek professional Garage Door Maintenance and Repair Services if you notice something.
5. Organise the Garage
It’s now time to get your garage cleaned out. This is a great opportunity to assess what you actually need and to organize it properly, rather than dumping everything everywhere. You can keep your garage tidy by reducing the amount of stuff you keep.
You must first decide what you want to keep and how you plan to dispose of your unwanted items. You’ll want to dispose of items that are damaged or old. You might also be able to resell or donate other items. It’s best to prepare empty storage containers in advance if you intend on selling or donating unwanted items. You can create three to four different groups depending on what you intend to keep, toss or donate.
After you have decided what you want to get rid of, you need to decide how you are going to store it. You should not keep items such as firewood, propane, can food, wood furniture, photos, or paint in your garage. These items can be moved to another location if they were stored in your garage previously.
There are many garage storage options available for the items you want to keep. There are many options for garage storage solutions, including shelves, wall hooks, and overhead storage racks. You will need to consider what you store and how big your garage is. A garage floor plan can help you see where your items will be and how much space is available.
Layouts should be kept off the ground as much as possible. Items that you use most often should be stored towards the front. To avoid bumping your lawnmowers with your car, store them in corners.
Open options are better than cabinets for garage shelving. Cabinets take up more space as there is less room to open the doors. By allowing clutter to be visible behind the doors, open shelves encourage you to keep the space clean. If you have children or pets, you might want to consider locking a cabinet that contains chemicals and tools they don’t want to touch.
Consider what type of storage containers you need after setting up your storage space using a variety of racks and shelves that meet your needs. Different storage containers work best for different items. For larger items, sealable plastic containers can be used. The tight seal keeps insects and dust out. These containers are easier to stack and more durable than cardboard boxes. Clear jars can be used to store small items such as nails and screws.
