Pretty soon it will be way too cold in Iowa to do any outside work without being absolutely miserable while doing it! Before we get to that point, heed the following tips so you can avoid having to deal with a dirty, crowded, disorganized garage on top of the already unpleasant winter cold. Organize and optimize your garage space so everything you need this winter is easily accessible.
Make a Plan
Before you jump in and start, assess your space and belongings, and come up with a game plan. What’s your goal? What’s the best way to reach your goal? What additional items do you need to get the job done? You may need to take a trip to the store to grab some cleaning supplies, storage containers, trash bags, or whatever else you need to get your garage cleaned and organized the way you want it.
Clean & Organize
If your garage is cluttered, get rid of some stuff. Organize everything in the garage into three main categories: throw away, give away, and keep. Try taking everything out of the garage and separating it all into these three piles. Replace what you want to keep in an organized manner, and get rid of the rest. Give your garage a good wipe down while everything is out of the way. Sweep and mop the floor, and clean off cabinets, storage units, shelving, etc.
Keep Things Off the Floor
One of the main things to keep in mind while organizing the stuff in your garage is to keep things OFF of the floor. Storing things on the floor wastes valuable space and makes a garage seem more cluttered. In the winter, anything left on the ground could become wet and muddy as well. Opt for hanging things like bikes, lawn mowers, tools, shovels, cords, ladders, sports equipment, and rakes on the walls or from the ceiling. You can install heavy-duty shelving or storage units as well.
Remember to keep the things you’ll use throughout the winter (such as snowboards, skis, snow blowers, shovels, window scrapers, sand, and salt) in easily visible and reachable places.
Add Extra Lighting
Consider adding some extra lights in the garage for dark winter days. Battery-powered LED lights are energy efficient and will work during power outages, such as during a violent winter storm. These can be safely installed in drawers or closets or mounted under cabinets or doors.
Insulate and Weatherstrip
If you work in your garage during the winter, adding insulation will help keep you more comfortable. You can choose to insulate the walls, the ceiling, and the garage door. Be sure to check the weatherstripping at the bottom of your garage door as well. This rubber strip is meant to keep wind and moisture out of your garage. If it appears to be damaged, replace it as soon as possible. Read our previous blog post, How to Insulate Your Garage for the Winter, to learn how to prepare your garage properly for the cold.
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