Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Garage

With spring just around the corner, you’ve likely started your yearly deep-cleaning regimen. While you’re on a roll, take your efforts out to the garage. A little bit of maintenance and TLC can go a long way, and given that you’re using your garage on a daily basis, it’s definitely worth your time. 

Take It Out

It can be tempting to simply work around your existing clutter, but the most effective way to clean your garage out is to begin with a clean slate. Take everything out to the driveway—yes, everything. Once you have everything out of the garage, you can determine what items get to go back in. This will force you to address the untidy piles you’ve been walking around. As you’re working, consider getting rid of anything you haven’t used in the last year. If you’re not using it, it’s only getting in the way.  

Clean the Space

After everything is out of the garage, get to work cleaning the space. Begin by taking a broom and knocking down any cobwebs along the corners of your garage walls and ceiling. Next, wipe down any surfaces you have in the garage, such as a workbench or built-in shelving unit. Use a broom to sweep debris off of the flooring, and use a mop and a heavy-duty cleaning solvent to thoroughly clean the floor.

Set Specific Areas

Chances are that you naturally store your garage items in some semblance of order. Maybe in one corner of the garage, you store outdoor lawn equipment and in another, you keep all of your camping gear. Whatever your system is, just make sure you have one! If it helps, you can section off areas of your garage with masking tape or even label specific containers to help you plan out your storage. Remember, the more organized your space is, the easier it will be for you to use it on a daily basis.

Organize Remaining Belongings

Now it’s time to tackle the mountain of stuff that you’ve built in your driveway. Work through your belongings and make three piles: keep, donate, and trash. Try to follow the “one-year rule” mentioned above. Remember to take any hazardous materials like batteries, paint, or gas to a facility that can properly manage their disposal.

Once you’ve gone through everything, start to take items back into the garage. If you have to adjust your original storage plan, don’t worry! The most important requirement of your system is that it works, so adjust your strategy accordingly. Once you’re done, safely dispose of all of your “trash” items and set a time to take your donation items to a collection center.

Wash the Door

You’ve finished with the inside of your garage, now it’s time to take on your door. Your method of cleaning will vary slightly depending on the material of your garage door, but in any case, you’ll need warm soapy water and old rags. Give the door a good scrubbing, and touch up any rough areas with paint or stain.  

Quick Tune-Up

If needed, conduct a quick tune-up on your garage door system. Regular maintenance is an effective way to keep your system running smoothly, and now is the perfect time for a check-up. Here are a few quick tips for at-home garage door maintenance:

• Repair and replace weather stripping
• Lubricate all moving parts and tracks
• Inspect your cables, springs, and rollers
• Tighten hardware
• Schedule an inspection with your local garage door company

Regular garage door maintenance will help you get the most out of your garage door system. For a professional inspection in the Cedar Rapids area, contact the pros at Doors by George. Our experts will help you keep your system running in tip-top shape. Give us a call today!