Cleaning up?

[seagullplayer]

So Friday I spent about eight hours cleaning my garage.

I only had a couple of trash bags full when I got done and a small stack of cardboard. Everything else just needed a home.

Things really seem to get out of hand fast. It doesn't take long before I don't have room to work on anything!

I did put up some more shelving and a cabinet. I think a big part of my problem is that I still don't have a "place" for everything.

What are your secrets to keeping your garage orderly enough to be useful?

 

[sublimate]

I think a big part of my problem is that I still don't have a "place" for everything.

That's the key thing for me:

1. There needs to be a place for everything and it needs to be convenient.
2. A trash can, in particular needs to always be handy and have room.
3. Designate one spot where you can place things that don't have a home. When that spot fills up you have to stop and sort the pile, make places to store it, and put it away.

 

[brycez28]

That's the key thing for me:

1. There needs to be a place for everything and it needs to be convenient.
2. A trash can, in particular needs to always be handy and have room.
3. Designate one spot where you can place things that don't have a home. When that spot fills up you have to stop and sort the pile, make places to store it, and put it away.

I second this! I have a 1 car garage, so space is precious. I also took everything out of the garage that wasn't garage/auto related. No need for lifejackets or folding chairs to be in the garage, they can go on a shelf in the basement.

It usually takes me about 30-45 minutes to do a good cleaning every couple weeks if I don't keep up with putting tools away after projects. When the weather is nice, I like to go out to the garage before work and just hang out, listen to the birds and some music and put tools away.

 

[Labradorian]

So Friday I spent about eight hours cleaning my garage.

I only had a couple of trash bags full when I got done and a small stack of cardboard. Everything else just needed a home.

Things really seem to get out of hand fast. It doesn't take long before I don't have room to work on anything!

I did put up some more shelving and a cabinet. I think a big part of my problem is that I still don't have a "place" for everything.

What are your secrets to keeping your garage orderly enough to be useful?

As stated above, having a place for everything is key. there are many storage ideas on this forum that I pulled ideas from. here is one of them...

click here

I make a habit of forcing my self to put tools away when I'm finished a project , small job or going in the house for the night. or I try to make it a point to go to the garage and clean up every couple weeks or so. grabbing the shop vac and broom and sweeping & vacuuming up the floor helps keep things looking clean. and honestly when I'm in the garage away from my wonderful wife and 2 loving teenagers it's a excuse to get away from it all, turn up the music and focus on getting organized. Keeps me sane.

like I said there are a pile of ideas on this site.

cheers

 

[dfiler2]

That's the key thing for me:

1. There needs to be a place for everything and it needs to be convenient.
2. A trash can, in particular needs to always be handy and have room.
3. Designate one spot where you can place things that don't have a home. When that spot fills up you have to stop and sort the pile, make places to store it, and put it away.

For me, this is the answer and it took me years to figure this out. It is so much easier, quicker and you can get a lot more done if you have a designated place for everything. Putting things away and finding them again is much quicker. I have a short bench where i put things that don't have a home and when I get in the mood I sort it out. I think you also have to do what works best for you, generally speaking most of this is for enjoyment. I know many people like to clean up at the end of the day, I don't, I'm usually too tired to do a good job anyway. I like to clean up when I go back in the morning. It gives me time to plan out what I'm going to do and I always seem to do a better job.