Most homeowners desire a garage because it shields their vehicles from the weather. It’s time to clear out the garage when there’s nowhere left to park your car or find a way to the door. The garage may turn into a big catch-all for various toys, tools, and rubbish. It also becomes dirty from dust, corrosion, and oil spills. Make everything pristine and put things back in order by following our comprehensive, step-by-step garage cleaning guide.
Read also: How to Clean Brass so It Looks Shiny And New Again
Steps For Clearing Out The Garage Thoroughly
Clear out the Garage
Even though it could seem overwhelming, cleaning an empty garage is simpler. Select a day with pleasant weather and get the cars out. Place all of your junk, toys, sports equipment, furniture, storage bins, and gardening tools in the driveway. If the garage has windows, take the window coverings off so they may be cleaned.
Commence at the Top
To get rid of dust and cobwebs from the ceiling, walls, window frames, shelves, and work surfaces, use an extendable-handled broom or duster. Make sure to clean the light fittings and rafter beams. Keep a lot of refills for your disposable duster handy to ensure that all the dust is captured. After you’re done, sweep up all the dust and debris from the floor with a push broom or shop vac.
Clean Walls, Windows, and Work Surfaces
Wash worktops, shelves, and walls with a pail filled with warm water and a few drops of dish soap. Pour plain water into a second bucket to wash away any soap residue.
Utilizing a sponge, microfiber cloth, or mop, begin at the top and work your way down the walls. Work in a constrained space and give your clothes frequent rinses. Rinse the area with fresh water after it’s clean, then go to the next area. It might be necessary to often replace the cleaning and rinsing water. Apply the same technique to shelves, work surfaces, the door leading to your house, and the inside and outside of the garage door.
To clean windows both inside and outside, combine one cup of water with one cup of isopropyl (rubbing alcohol) in a spray bottle.
Clean the Floor
If need, sweep the floor once more to remove any remaining dust and dirt before giving it a thorough washing. Observe the cleaning instructions provided by the manufacturer if your floor is made of rubber or epoxy tiles. Follow the instructions on the product package to create a solution of warm water and a degreaser-containing cleanser (dishwashing liquid is a good option) for an untreated concrete floor.
Spread the solution over a portion of the floor using a mop, beginning in the back corner. Give it at least ten minutes to act. To clean the floor, use a scrub mop with stiff bristles made of nylon. Use a garden hose or mop to rinse. Continue until the floor is completely cleaned.
After cleaning, attempt these methods to get rid of stubborn stains:
Oil: Apply a thick layer of sawdust or cat litter to the stain, at least two inches deep. After letting it sit for a full day or two, vacuum or sweep it away. Using an undiluted degreaser, scrub the area and thoroughly rinse. Continue doing so until the stain disappears.
Rust: Directly apply an oxalic acid-based cleaning (such as Bar Keepers Friend, CLR, or Rust Away) to the discoloration. As directed by the instructions, scrub with a brush with nylon bristles and thoroughly rinse. Chlorine bleach should never be used on rust stains since it can set the stains permanently.
Mildew and Mold: Combine one part chlorine bleach and two parts water in a plastic bucket or spray bottle. After applying the solution, leave the mildewed area alone for at least fifteen minutes. Make sure to rinse thoroughly. Protect your eyes, and make sure the area is sufficiently ventilated.
Inspect the Garage and Make a Repair
Now that the garage is clean and fresh, quickly check for mold, broken fixtures, and rodent or insect activity. Make repairs, swap out lightbulbs, install wall storage, and, if necessary, make appointments with pest control or home repair specialists.
Declutter and Organize Garage
Probably the hardest stage to complete is to deal with the items you had hidden in the garage and now find yourself in the driveway. Sort items into three piles (keep, donate, and dispose) and attempt to handle each one just once.
After sorting is complete, spend some time arranging items that will be returned to the garage. When returning objects to the garage after cleaning, make sure they are completely dry by wiping or rinsing them off outside in the driveway.
Get rid of the cardboard boxes. Use transparent plastic storage containers or mark opaque ones. Sort the bins according to seasonality or similarity. Seek to incorporate wall-mounted tools and gardening equipment storage.
Recall that most garages are not air-conditioned rooms. In the summer, temperatures can soar to 40 degrees Fahrenheit above those inside a home, and in the winter, they can plummet to considerably lower levels. In an unconditioned garage, never store electronics, pictures, fragile materials, or objects that are sensitive to temperature!
Read also: How To Clean a Mop Head