Cleaning it out

[mulepackin]

Any great tips on cleaning the garage out. I am referring to getting rid of the junk one accumulates over time, that likely won't get used. Mine is getting so full of wood scraps, pieces of sheet goods. various odds and ends from auto projects, not to mention ongoing projects in various states, I would be embarrassed to show a photo. I'm going through it now, kinda with the idea that if I haven't used it in the last 5 years its gone. Any thoughts?

 

[trovato]

I have found freecycle to be a great way to get rid of stuff. You post things you don't want and see if anyone wants to take them off your hands for free. That's also how I picked up my garage air conditioner. Check out: http://www.freecycle.org/

 

[Stephenw]

The day after you get rid of it, you will need it.

 

[73super]

I agree that the day you get rid of it, you'll need it.. it's happened to me.. HOWEVER.. there is something so freeing when you declutter your shop and have it looking good. I continually go through phases with this.. right now it's in clutter stage again and I have to walk around stuff. When I finish my addition, first priority will be purging and cleaning.. "You've got to keep it lookin' good!".

 

[SWA Guy]

When I began my garage remodel (http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9483), I NEEDED to clear out the space for room to run electrical, insulate and drywall the ceiling and walls. I tried to move stuff around the garage to clear enough space to work, but that quickly proved too time consuming. I ended up renting a storage space and moved all of my boxes of treasures out. As I finished an area of my garage I moved the appropriate boxes back and set up shop.

Looking at my "collection" as a whole was overwhelming. Tackling it one box at a time was much easier. I have heard that it's a good idea to get rid of something if you haven't used it in 1, 3 or 5 years, but I simply eyeballed it. I would guess that I ended up selling, donating, throwing away or giving away 50% of my stuff.

I must say, getting through this cleaning out process is a liberating feeling. You do have to get in the right frame of mind however, but once you begin you'll be amazed at how good it feels.

Now I have enough space to collect more goodies and tools!

Craigslist (www.craigslist.com), ebay and even the classified section of this board are also great avenues to sell or give away some of that stuff you don't want to keep.

Good luck and have fun with it!

 

[T1704]

I would say that if you haven't used it in a year, junk it! Unless of course it's a tool of some sort or fishing gear....or camping gear... or the like.

 

[mike944]

Coming from a self-confessed pack-rat, i have downsized from a house to an apt and a now a condo, i hated the thought of getting rid of stuff, but i did, and it wasn't too bad. Yes, i have found myself needing stuff that i threw out, but it was a lot less often than i expected, and i was usually able to find a replacement, even if it cost me some money to get, it was well worth the monetary tradeoff for the lack of clutter.

My rule is, I keep stuff that's either really expensive to replace, or hard to obtain. Many other things get tossed. it's painfull at first, but you get over it.

Ebay or craigslist is a good way to get rid of stuff, if you think it might be worth something to somebody.

 

[mulepackin]

Well thats pretty much how I'm doing it. One box, one board, one part, one piece at a time. It's coming along nicely, if not slowly. I do alot of dust producing wood work, so I'm blowing down, vaccuaming, sweeping (repeat) alot as I go along. Now it appears my biggest problem is going to be running out of wall space. You know, square footage along the walls to put machines, benches tool chests and stored stuff along to open up the center "working area". I may have to start looking into more upper wall type cabinets for some things to free up lower space. Hopefully my new garden shed will give me more storage also. Anyway thanks all for the pointers and mostly the "go ahead" to start pitching.

 

[Motorin427]

"WHEN IN DOUBT, THROW IT OUT" You can always replace that 20 year old garden hose you were saving to splice the 10 year old hose but you cannot go to Home Depot and buy more square footage.

 

[SWA Guy]

That Sir was very well said! I may just have to frame it and put it on the shop wall as a reminder.

"WHEN IN DOUBT, THROW IT OUT" You can always replace that 20 year old garden hose you were saving to splice the 10 year old hose but you cannot go to Home Depot and buy more square footage.

 

[Motorin427]

You have my permission and my blessing!

 

[Junkman]

If I throw everything out that I haven't used in the past 10 years, what will be left to sell at my estate sale when I kick? I have a few collector cars in the garage that haven't seen the light of day in years...... do I get rid of them?

 

[z28toz06]

"WHEN IN DOUBT, THROW IT OUT" You can always replace that 20 year old garden hose you were saving to splice the 10 year old hose but you cannot go to Home Depot and buy more square footage.

The hell you say!

http://www.olympiabuildings.com/applications/res_steelgarages.html

 

[Uncle Buck]

If I throw everything out that I haven't used in the past 10 years, what will be left to sell at my estate sale when I kick? I have a few collector cars in the garage that haven't seen the light of day in years...... do I get rid of them?

NO NO NO My dad has a 46 Ford convertable, and a 30 A coupe stashed in his basement. The only time either has seen the light of day for the last 40 years was when they rode a rollback to my folks new address in 1991! If he did that, I would not fall heir to them, and I have understood that I would inherit them after his passing. SO NO!

 

[SWA Guy]

Yes I think you should. But please, email me a description and pics first. I may be willing to help you clean out your garage!

If I throw everything out that I haven't used in the past 10 years, what will be left to sell at my estate sale when I kick? I have a few collector cars in the garage that haven't seen the light of day in years...... do I get rid of them?