Garage Spring Cleaning Tips: Preparing for the Garage Remodel
Preparing to remodel your garage and need to get everything off of your garage floor but don’t know where to begin? Here are some tips for Spring Cleaning your Garage.
First, when evaluating which things that you have been storing in your garage that you should keep and what you should get rid of, be practical, not sentimental. If you haven’t used the items in over a year, consider the value of the items. Why haven’t you used them? Are you likely to ever use that badminton set again? Maybe you moved to a warmer climate, are those skis worth storing? If you got rid of them, what would it cost to replace or rent the gear if you wanted to use it in the future?
The items that you have been storing in your garage that are beyond use need to go to the trash. Box or bag these items up and place them in an area that will be easy to take out on trash day. Don’t overfill the boxes or bags—if you can’t carry them, others can’t either.
What about all of the miscellaneous items you have stashed in the garage? The garage tends to be the catch all for the house. When preparing for a remodel, you want to start as fresh as possible. You don’t want to just box up the miscellaneous clutter and then store it in your brand new garage. So what to do with it?
The paint, household chemicals, fluorescent bulbs, fertilizers and cleaners need to be taken to a separate specialized toxic waste facility. Old appliances without Freon can be taken to a metal recycling center, often you can call and have them picked up for a fee. Appliances with Freon can be taken to the disposal station for a fee. Non-rusty, working hand tools and garden tools that you are no longer planning to use can be donated to a local thrift store, or they can be designated to your metal pile.
E-waste can be recycled at the disposal station free of charge, this includes electronics, computers, old cell phones, etc. Make sure you erase your personal information before donating them where possible, to protect yourself from possible identity theft.
Wood, except treated wood, can be placed in its own pile for removal. Tires can be recycled for a fee generally at the local landfill. Concrete, tiles, bricks, and cinder blocks can be recycled for a fee at a local recycler. Flattened cardboard, plastic, and paper can be recycled free of charge at the recycling center.
So what can you do with the items that are still of use? You could throw a garage sale, sell items on Craigslist or eBay—especially items like bikes, small appliances, or other valuables. Items that are not sold can be donated, but keep in mind that thrift stores can be very selective. They will not accept any items that are ripped, stained, torn or broken. Often they will accept furniture in good condition, clothes, shoes, housewares, books, linens, toys, working tools, home décor, art, and other odd or interesting items.
Garage spring cleaning can be a major task, making this the perfect time to remodel, once your garage is clean and you are looking to organize and store the remaining items. Global Garage Flooring & Design offers many garage storage solutions and garage cabinets to solve your spring cleaning dilemmas. Contact Global Garage Flooring & Design for a free garage remodel quote.
