How to Clean Your Garage and Get the Most Out of This Space

Garages may be the designated home for our cars, but they can all too easily become a dumping ground for old clothes, empty paint cans, gardening equipment, and other items. Dedicating time to cleaning out your garage will help you find a home for these miscellaneous items—and donating or tossing the things you no longer have use for will free up room for better organization. To help get you started, we asked experts to share their top tips for cleaning up this often-ignored space.

How Often to Clean Your Garage

How often you clean your garage depends on your lifestyle and how frequently you use this space. "The key is maintaining a consistent cleaning routine to keep the area safe, organized, and functional," says Alicia Sokolowski, the president and co-CEO of AspenClean, adding that you should aim to deep clean this space at least once a season.

Deep cleaning your garage includes cleaning floors and surfaces, inspecting for pests and mold, organizing storage spaces, and donating or tossing unused items. "Additionally, be proactive about cleaning up spills, stains, or any messes as they occur," says Sokolowski.

Before Getting Started

Before starting the cleaning process, think about how your garage can best serve you and sketch out a plan for how to achieve an end result you're happy with. Are you an avid gardener? Do you need easy access to sports gear? Does your garage double as a laundry room? "Having a plan for the final functionality of the space is key to achieving a successful spring cleaning," say Marty Basher, home organization expert with ModularClosets.com.

How to Clean Your Garage

Now that you have a plan in place, you can begin cleaning your garage.

1. Empty Your Garage

For a proper deep clean, start by emptying out your entire garage. This may feel overwhelming, but it's the best way to ensure you go through every item in your garage. Fully emptying this space out also allows you to better reach the floors and corners where there may be a build-up of dirt and other grime. To break this process up, empty and edit one section at a time.

2. Edit Your Items

Once everything is out of your garage, sift through your items and make piles for things you want to keep and those you can donate or get rid of. If you're having trouble letting things go, try itemizing things into "use regularly," "use annually," "never use," and "sentimental storage" categories.

Everything in "never use" can be donated or tossed. Check annual and regular-use items for signs of wear and tear, and replace or store them. Move sentimental items into your home, like photo albums and old toys, as these risk being damaged in your garage.

3. Create Additional Storage

If you've gone through all of your items and still don't have enough room to store everything efficiently, now is the time to create additional storage solutions. In a garage, utilizing vertical space is ideal.

Overhead storage racks suspended from the ceiling are great for storing bulky items such as seasonal decorations, camping gear, or bins of less frequently used items, says Sokolowski. Other options include: creating a peg board with hooks for hanging tools, installing a wall- or ceiling-mounted bike rack, and hanging hooks for gardening tools.

4. Dust and Clean Garage Surfaces

Once your garage is empty and you've installed additional storage (if needed), you can start the cleaning process. "Take the opportunity to dust or vacuum any surfaces that have accumulated dirt and debris," says Kathy Cohoon, the director of franchise operations of Two Maids. Then, wipe down all of the garage surfaces with a damp cloth and a cleaning solution suited to the materials in your garage.

5. Clean Garage Floors

Next, tackle the garage floors. "Sweep up any loose dirt and debris, then give the floors a good scrubbing," says Cohoon. "Depending on the type of flooring you have, you may need to use a mop and some soapy water or a specialized cleaner to get them clean."

6. Wipe Down Garage Items

Return to the pile of items you moved out of your garage, which should now be edited down to the essentials. Take the time to wipe down these items with a damp cloth to remove accumulated dust and avoid tracking it back into your garage.

7. Organize the Garage

Come up with a thought-out plan when returning items to your garage. "When organizing your garage, it's essential to group similar items together," says Cohoon. "Store frequently used items within easy reach, creating designated zones for different purposes like yard work, gardening, and seasonal items to maintain organization." Keep these items in clear, labeled bins to ensure they stay contained but are still easy to see and access.

Tips for Keeping Your Garage Clean

Keep your garage clean for longer by following these maintenance tips.

• Establish a regular cleaning schedule and clean messes immediately as they occur.
• Invest in efficient storage solutions to keep items organized and off the floor, says Cohoon.
• Edit the items in your garage as they break, expire, or when you no longer have use for them.
• Sweep the floors as dirt and grime accumulate to make seasonal cleaning easier.
• Clean yard tools after using them to avoid tracking dirt into your garage, says Sokolowski.