Another winter is moving past us, which means it’s time to start enjoying the outdoors again. But before you get too carried away, there are a few tasks you might want to check off your to-do list. After all, winter tends to make quite a mess of things.

Meanwhile, the cold temps and snowy conditions often cause people to horde more things indoors. A little spring cleaning can help take care of this problem and set you up for success. The question is, where do you begin?

We think the garage is a good place to start.

Driving your vehicle in and out of it all winter has likely left some dirt and debris behind. On top of that, garages naturally tend to build up dust and clutter. The springtime is the perfect time to clear your garage out and maybe even make some improvements.

Here are some tips to get you going.

Remove Items That Shouldn’t Be in There

People tend to store a lot of stuff in their garages. In some cases, they store so many things that they barely have room for their vehicles. Those garages can be a great place to keep a number of items, there are also things that you shouldn’t keep in your garage.

Unless your garage is fully climate controlled at all times, you shouldn’t store these items in there:

  • A fridge/freezer
  • Wine (or other beverages)
  • Cardboard storage
  • Electronics
  • Wooden Furniture
  • Canned Food
  • Paint
  • Important Documents

While you’re at it, you should also remove any unused or otherwise unneeded items. Whether you have a garage sale, you take them to a local donation center, or you simply throw stuff away, now is the time to purge your garage of anything unnecessary.

Deep Clean

Now that the excess items are gone, it’s time to start cleaning. Dust any shelves and surfaces. While you’re at it, you should also clean dirt and debris from your garage door tracks and photo eye sensors. Next, sweep out the garage. Finally, consider either mopping the floor or spraying it down. This will get rid of dirt and dust that a broom simply can’t reach.

Get Things Off the Ground

With the clutter removed and the cleaning done, it’s time to start reorganizing. One of the first things you should do is try and get items off the actual floor of your garage. Garage floors can get wet, which can damage items. Additionally, items sitting on the ground can easily be stepped on or tripped over, creating a safety hazard.

If you don’t already, set up some shelving to stack things on. This will allow you to store more items, while also keeping things better organized. Adding peg boards can be great for hanging tools and other smaller items. Finally, if you have overhead storage options, utilize those as well.

Coat the Floor

If you want to protect your garage floor, improve its appearance, and make it easier to clean, you should consider adding a protective coating. An epoxy coating is a great addition to any garage, protecting against spills and stains while leaving a beautiful finish.

For professional epoxy flooring services in Ohio, make sure to check out our sister company here.

Update Your Garage and Entry Doors

While you’re cleaning, decluttering, and beautifying your garage, you should make sure to inspect your garage door and garage door opener as well. Make sure they’re operating properly, and that they’re in good shape. If you want to improve your garage’s appearance, a new garage door can make a big difference.

Additionally, if you plan to use your garage for activities other than simply parking your car, you should consider upgrading to insulated garage doors. As for your garage door opener, even if it appears to be working, it might be worth upgrading to a newer model. Modern garage door openers have a number of great features including security monitoring, smart device control, and more.

If you’re in need of garage doors, entry doors, or garage door openers in Ohio, Springfield Overhead Door has you covered. We have a huge selection of options, and we provide professional installation services. Contact us today!