Spring Cleaning
The Garage

When I think of spring cleaning I think of cleaning and organizing my garage. What good does it do to clean your house for the summer when what you want to do in the summer is spend more time outside? Besides, I keep my house fairly clean all year so I do not need to spend that much time cleaning it in the spring.

Here are the first steps to cleaning the garage:

2) Do a quick broom sweeping of the floor to pick up the bulk of the dirt. You will sweep again at the end.

3) Put the winter things out on the driveway. You will need to get the gas out of the snow blower either by removing it or running the snow blower until it runs out of gas.

4) Clean up the winter things with a broom and rags.

5) Bring out the summer things.

6) Put the winter things away. These things should be placed as high and as tucked away as you can so that you have more room for summer things. Some of these things will probably work best if packed tightly into plastic bins. Plastic bins are far better than cardboard boxes. The best bins are see through so you can tell what is in them rather than spending a lot of time filling out tags. I like to have an assortment of small to large bins. Since I don't have that much stuff, I do not need to buy that many bins. These bins are only expensive if you have to buy a lot of them.

7) Sweep as you go. It is more satisfying to see part of the floor clean. This will add to your motivation to keep going.

8) Place the summer things where they belong. You want to make it easy to enjoy your summer activities, not make them difficult and annoying to do because you cannot find or get your gear.

9) Throw out the obvious broken things and things that are no good.

10) Make a list of the things you need next winter. Do you need a new snow blower, shovels, salt or ice scrapers? If you put what is needed on your list you will be able to get these things by next winter and probably find a better deal on them.

11) Make a list of the things you need this summer. Do you need a bike, air pump or rake?

12) Vacuum the interior of the cars and whatever can be vacuumed in the garage.

13) Get out your kids bikes so they can ride as soon as it is nice.

14) Tidy up all the stuff that is hanging.

15) Tuck in what can be tucked.

16) Use Window Cleaner to clean the garage windows and your car windows.

List of Tools and Supplies for Garage Spring Cleaning

2) Durable pants suitable for working.

3) Leather gloves.

4) Hat.

5) Long sleeve shirt over tee shirt.

6) Work jacket.

7) Brooms. The best is to have a big push broom and a regular broom.

8) Dust pan.

9) Garbage bags and ties.

10) Vacuum cleaner.

11) Paper and pen.

12) Window cleaner and wipes.

13) Pliers and other tools.

14) Knee pads or pad to kneel on.

15) Air pump.

16) Timer.

17) Chair.

18) Some way to play loud music.

19) Refreshments.

20) Ladder.

More Helpful Tips for Garage Spring Cleaning

2) Have a chair handy to sit down in for your breaks. Having a chair is what always gets overlooked. Most people are not in that great of shape. You will need to sit down while doing this type of work. Sitting on the ground or the steps or on rocks, bricks or whatever is available is not comfortable at all. It is not restful or relaxing. It takes energy away, not restores it. You want a good comfortable chair for this. You do not want to make spring cleaning a chore you dread, you want to make it fun and satisfying.

3) Have a way to get your refreshments easily when the timer goes off.

4) Have paper and pen handy for making notes of the things, supplies and equipment you need to finish and to make your life easier.

5) Carry pliers in your back pocket. This is the best tool to carry with you to make quick repairs as you are working.

6) Do not get bogged down fixing things at this time. If you can't fix something in less than a minute with your pliers, write it on your list and move on.

7) Keep your tools handy for making quick fixes.

8) Keep in mind what the overall goal is, and that is to make a big dent in your work. You are not trying to get everything perfect. You are trying to get everything good enough. You want to get the bulk of the work done fast and now.

9) Since this will be the first time you have done this type of work in months, you will be tired. Plan on it. Set your timer for 15 minutes to start and when it goes off, sit down with your refreshment and rest. Have your water, or soda, or coffee or beer ready. Enjoy the moment and the results of your spring cleaning.

Now you are done with your spring cleaning and you are ready for summer.

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