If you’re like me, your garage may have become a catch-all for all the items you keep meaning to do something with. But we both know we won’t be using those items anytime soon.
So, It’s time to organize the garage and clean out things that are no longer needed.
But before you get started, here are some tips to keep in mind:
First, Get Rid of Anything You Haven’t Used In a Year
Before you get started, it’s important to make an honest assessment of what you’ve got. Don’t hang on to any item that hasn’t been used in a year—if you haven’t used it in a year, chances are good that you never will.
The same goes for anything broken or damaged beyond repair: If something gets accidentally left out in the rain by mistake, or if its battery dies and it stops working, then let go.
The same principle applies when it comes to things you don’t really want: Get rid of anything that you wouldn’t buy again today if given the choice—and there’s no shame in getting rid of things just because they no longer suit your tastes or needs.
Finally, don’t keep expired items around any longer than necessary.
Recycle Electronics and Anything Else that Contains Toxic Chemicals
Once you’ve decided to clean out the garage, make sure that anything with toxic chemicals gets recycled properly.
Don’t put a computer or other electronics in the trash; instead, contact your local recycling coordinator to dispose of them for you properly. Batteries should also be disposed of at a recycling center instead of being thrown away in the trash.
Donate
Donate things that you have no use for to someone who can use them. Here are a few ideas:
- Donate items to charity. You can donate your stuff by dropping them off at the local Goodwill or Salvation Army, or by making an appointment with a specific charity and taking the items in your car (for example, if you want to donate clothes but don’t have enough for an entire truck or van). Some charities will even pick up large donations from your home!
- Donate items directly to the people who need them. For example, if you’re clearing out old kitchenware and appliances from your kitchen remodel project, consider donating those things instead of throwing them away—you never know when someone else might need some extra pots and pans! If you live near a shelter or homeless shelter in your area, find out what they accept (blankets? books?) so that you don’t accidentally give away something they wouldn’t actually ever be able to use.
Sell Items Online
You can also try selling things you don’t need on eBay, Craigslist, or Amazon.
You can sell most things (except for those that are illegal) on eBay and the fees are reasonable.
You may want to consider selling your stuff on Facebook Marketplace or Letgo, which are more local options.
If you want to get rid of clothes and accessories, try Poshmark or Mercari.
Wipe Away Mold Using Vinegar and Baking Soda
If you have mold on the walls or ceiling of your garage, use vinegar and baking soda to wipe it away.
Vinegar is a natural cleaner that can kill mold spores if applied directly. You can also mix it with water to create a paste or solution to help remove the mold from your garage walls.
Baking soda has similar antibacterial properties and works well when combined with vinegar. If you mix them together in equal parts, you’ll create a mild abrasive solution that’s great for cleaning out tough stains on walls or other areas of your garage flooring.
To apply this mixture, simply wet down the area where there is visible mold growth before applying some baking soda and vinegar paste onto it with a sponge or cloth; let this sit for five minutes before wiping off any remaining residue.
Got tiles in your garage? Here’s an article on How to Clean Mold Off Bathroom Tiles with Vinegar.
Recycle
Recycling is easy and free, so it’s a no-brainer to recycle your old tires, propane tanks, batteries, and paint cans.
You can also recycle plastic bottles, plastic bags, and other plastics.
The most important thing is to be sure the materials are clean before you throw them in your recycling bin.
Conclusion:
It’s time to make your garage the best space possible! You can do this by cleaning the inside of your garage, getting rid of old items you don’t need, recycling what you can, and donating the rest.
I hope you try out some of these tips.
Thanks for reading my blog.
-Baking Soda Guy
Photo by Tim Mossholder from Pexels
