Spring is finally here, which means your cleaning bug may have already gotten the best of you. Making sure the inside of your home is spic and span can be a challenge in itself, but often cleaning out the garage transforms into a royal nightmare. Between getting into all of the boxes that could house spiders, among other critters, and trying to clean up pesky stains on the ground, you may feel like the garage is a challenge that might be better suited for next year, or the year after. However, there are ways to help you make the most of this cleaning spree. Plus, with a few helpful tips you should have to spend a small fortune on supplies to organize and clean you garage, which will make this job a lot more enjoyable.

1. Dedicate the Time
One of the best things you can do when it comes to cleaning out your garage is set out a time to do it. You don’t want to do it on a whim because this could leave you feeling overwhelmed after a couple of hours of work. This task can be tough, so try to come up with a game plan before you go in blind. One of the best things you can do is work out a schedule. For instance, on the first day, spend an hour or so tackling the boxes in your garage. You can separate the items you want to keep from those that are donation worthy or trash. Once you’ve finished up this task then allocate time for the next. The key is to stick to your schedule though and spend the time working on it each day or on the weekend, if it suits your schedule better. By knowing what you need to get done on which days, you’ll feel a greater power over the task at hand. Not to mention, giving up on the garage could end up costing you money. Without cleaning the area properly, you may miss mold grown or infestations that could cause some major problems down the line.

2. The Five Year Rule
The garage is one of the worst places when it comes to collecting junk that we think we need, but most of the time we truly don’t. Of course, when we go through these hidden items, it’s hard to give them up, which means your storage will only grow and grow over time. One of the best things you can do to combat this problem is to ask yourself if you’ve used or even thought of the item in the last 5 years. If you haven’t and it has no ancestral or sentimental value, then it may be time to kick the item to the curb. Of course, if you’re feeling even more courageous, you may want to drop the limit down to three years. Once you weed through these items, you’ll probably see the junk section of your garage look significantly smaller.

3. Toss the Containers
One of the worst habits we have is placing containers in the garage. Before you know it, there’s about 5 different colors of half used paints, some fluids for the car and some cleaning supplies you don’t want the little ones to get close to. These items can be pretty hazardous, which is why it’s best to get them out of the garage and throw them out. Generally, the worst aspect of storing these items in the garage is the fact they end up changing temperatures quite a bit. This pretty much renders the paint useless and can do the same to your other supplies. Not to mention, you don’t want these items spilling in your garage as the chemicals can be hazardous and the paint will, obviously, stain your flooring. Of course, you should make sure you dispose of the items in the proper place though.

4. Utilize the Ceiling
We tend to pack shelves on the wall sky high and even the flooring in the garage ends up with some crazy pathway because there’s so many items on the floor. One of the best things you can do to limit this hazard and to make it a safe place to actually park a car, is to hang things from the ceiling. There’s actually some great tips online that can show you how to hang up items in your garage without forcing you to spend a ton of money. One of the best things to consider hanging up is items like bicycles or small boats, if you have them. Other items that are perfect are sports equipment, like tennis rackets, or even luggage. The more you can take off the floors and shelves, the better off you’ll be when it comes to organizing the home. Plus, this could help you save a boatload of money on the shelving you were already thinking about buying.

5. DIY Shelves
Of course, not everything is going to be suitable to be hung on the ceiling. You may end up with quite a few boxes or individual items that needed to be stored somewhere other than the floor. Shelving is your best option here, but that doesn’t mean you have to be prepared to spend an arm and a leg on it. There’s actually lots of great DIY projects that you can accomplish for next to nothing if you’re willing to put in the elbow grease. You can easily work around items you already have to build shelves, or you can see if friends and neighbors have anything to donate. Some junkyards can even give you a great price on the items you’ll need. Just, make sure you do all of the proper measuring and ensure everything is sturdy before you begin loading up the shelving. If all goes according to plan, your garage will be safer to walk through and more efficient when it comes to finding your beloved storage items.

6. Invest in Waterproof Bins
We never want to think the unthinkable is going to happen to us, but often times it does. This is why you should try to protect the items you store in your garage by placing them in water proof bins. This is especially the case when it comes to items that are valuable or may be damaged by water. By doing this, you’ll ensure your items won’t be ruined if the roof of your garage leaks, or if you end up having to deal with flooding. Another great thing about these bins is the sheer fact that they close tight. Thus, if the water isn’t going to get in, most likely bugs and other pests won’t be able to either. You’ll never have to fight your way through spider webs just to check out what items you have. Also, your seasonal clothing won’t end up ruined by months, which will save you quite a bit of money. At the end of the day, the bins will more than pay for themselves by saving you money on items you might otherwise have to replace.

7. Research Dumping Locations
Most of the time, cleaning out the garage means making a whole lot of garbage. This is especially true if you wind up finding damaged areas that need a bit of work. This can be a problem in a lot of cities and towns though as often dumping sites will charge you to get rid of the items. Sometimes, people try to get away with putting it in the dumpster, but this could lead to fines which won’t help you out financially. The best thing you can do is sit down and start researching dumping sites before you load up your vehicle with the items. This will give you time to find the best place to go, so you can maximize your savings. If you think you may have more junk to throw away than you can haul then you may also want to check around for the prices of companies that will haul off the items for you. This may be more cost efficient than renting a truck to haul the items off.

8. Donate
One of the best ways to offset any charge you may have to pay for the cleaning process is to donate the items you come across that you don’t want. Most charities will quickly give you a receipt for what the items may be worth, which will allow you to write off these items on your taxes at the end of the year. Of course, you’ll want to make sure your donations fit the criteria though. For instance, most charity organizations can’t take mattresses, couches or chairs that have holes in them. You must also ensure that your technology is in good working order, as items that don’t turn on will be considered junk. Luckily, most items won’t be a problem, so you can really earn some money off of all of your hard work.

9. Clean the Floors
Once you can see the floor, you’ll probably find it was due for a cleaning a few years ago. Don’t let this discourage you though, as you can easily whip it into shape with little effort. Obviously, the first thing you’ll want to do is try to sweep as much as you can. This will help get rid of spider webs and other problems too. Once your floor is dirt free then it might be time to consider getting rid of the stains that have probably been there quite some time. Generally, in the garage, these tend to be grease stains, which is nothing to worry about as far as cleaning goes. Of course, formulas designed to get rid of grease can cost you a small fortune though. Rather than doing this, you may want to make your own. There’s lots of natural degreasing formulas you can use, which will help keep the cleaning process healthy for you and the planet. If you tend to work on the car often in the garage, then use an old rug to help prevent more stains. You can find one of these at the thrift store, or simply use one that you own that is already worn out.

10. Ask for Help
If you don’t have to, you shouldn’t have to tackle the garage on your own. Ask your spouse and children to help out, so the job can go a lot faster and you won’t end up losing momentum. Apart from doing the actual work, you might want to stop and ask neighbors, friends or family if they have a truck you can borrow, so you can haul away garbage or donation items. Other than that, you may want to invite neighbors and loved ones over to see if they want any of your items. You may even consider charging for them to earn a bit of extra money. All in all, asking for help will make your spring cleaning go smoother and won’t leave you hurting for money.

Cleaning out your garage can be a big job, but once you finish the task you’ll feel incredible. With these simple tips, you should be able to get the job done in no time, while ensuring your budget doesn’t go down the tube. Now, you’ll know the hazards in your garage will be a minimum, so you can rest easier.