Winter can make a messy garage harder to use. Snow, cold air, wet shoes, and winter gear can quickly take up space. A good garage cleanout before winter gives you more room, keeps your items in better condition, and makes it easier to park your car.
You do not need to clean everything in one day. Follow this simple checklist and work through each task one at a time.
Start by taking everything out of the garage that you no longer need. Look for broken tools, old boxes, unused furniture, damaged sports gear, and other items that have been sitting there for a long time.
Make three groups:
Do not put unwanted items back into the garage. This is a good chance to free up useful space before winter.
Gather your tools in one place and check what you have. Remove broken tools and put similar items together.
For example, keep:
Place the tools you use often in an easy-to-reach spot. This saves time when you need something during cold weather.
Once the garage is clear, sweep the floor well. Remove dust, leaves, dirt, and small pieces of waste.
If the floor has oil or other stains, clean them before winter. A clean floor also makes it easier to spot water leaks, cracks, or other problems.
Look at the floor, walls, ceiling, and around windows for signs of water. Check for wet spots, stains, mold, or a musty smell.
Water can damage boxes, tools, furniture, and stored equipment. Find the source of a leak and fix it before heavy snow and rain arrive.
Keep items off the floor where possible. Shelves and storage racks can help protect your belongings from water.
Check around the garage door, windows, walls, and other openings for gaps. Small openings can let cold air, rain, snow, and insects inside.
Seal small gaps with a suitable sealant or weatherstripping. If you find a large crack or damage, it may need a proper repair.
This can also help keep the garage warmer and reduce drafts.
Open and close the garage door several times. Make sure it moves smoothly and does not make unusual sounds.
Check the door seals for cracks or damage. A damaged seal can let cold air and water into the garage.
Also check the tracks and visible hardware. If the door has a serious problem, have it checked by a qualified garage door technician.
Winter is a good time to put away items you will not use for several months.
Store things such as:
Clean these items before storing them. Use shelves, hooks, and storage boxes to keep them off the floor.
Do not hide your winter supplies behind boxes. Put the items you may need often near the garage entrance.
Keep items such as:
in an easy-to-reach area.
This saves you from moving several boxes just to find a snow shovel after a heavy snowfall.
Your garage may contain old paint, oil, cleaning products, batteries, pesticides, or other chemicals. Do not simply throw these items into regular household trash.
Check your local waste rules to find out how these products should be disposed of. Keep chemicals in their original containers when possible and store them safely until disposal.
Never mix different chemicals together.
After cleaning and organizing the garage, make sure there is enough room for your car if you plan to park it inside.
Move boxes and equipment away from the parking area. Keep walkways clear too.
Parking inside can help protect your car from snow and ice. It also means you may not have to clear snow from the vehicle before leaving home.
A garage cleanout before winter does more than make the space look better. It helps you find important items, protect your belongings, deal with small problems early, and make room for your car.
Work through these 10 tasks before the cold weather arrives, and your garage will be cleaner, safer, and easier to use during winter.
