Tidying Up the Garage (How BKF can help)

April 17, 2024

Spring is finally here, and that means it’s time to start tidying up the garage.  With it comes the perfect opportunity to declutter and organize one of the most neglected spaces in many homes: the garage. Whenever I pull into my driveway and open the garage door, I think, “I need to organize and clean my garage.” So, I put it on my calendar for this weekend.

Tidying Up The Garage

As the days grow longer and the temperatures rise, dedicating some time to tidying up your garage can not only improve the functionality of the space but also provide a sense of accomplishment. So, let’s roll up our sleeves, put on some gloves, grab the Bar Keepers Friend, and get ready to transform that cluttered garage into a clean and organized oasis.

Assess and Declutter

The first step in tidying up your garage is to take a good look at what’s inside and ask yourself: What do I use, and what can be donated or discarded? Garages can quickly become dumping grounds for items we no longer need or use. As I looked around my garage, I noticed several boxes, and I had no idea what they were. It could be time to make some donations.

Start by sorting items into three categories: keep, donate/sell, and discard. Be ruthless in your decision-making process. If you haven’t used something in over a year, you can live without it. Consider donating gently used items to charity or selling them online to make a few extra bucks.

Organize and Maximize Space

Once you’ve decluttered, it’s time to organize what’s left. Invest in shelving, hooks, and bins to maximize vertical space and keep items off the floor. Group similar items together, such as gardening tools, sports equipment, and automotive supplies, and designate specific areas for each category.

Use clear plastic bins or labeled storage containers to keep smaller items organized and easily accessible. This prevents clutter and makes it easier to find what you need when you need it. Additionally, consider installing overhead storage racks for seasonal items such as holiday decorations.

Clean and Maintain

With everything sorted and organized, take the opportunity to clean your garage thoroughly. Sweep the floors, wipe down shelves and storage bins, and remove cobwebs and dust. If you want to take it to the next level, BKF can help.

How BKF Can Help

Bar Keepers Friend Powdered Cleanser removes rust, tarnish, water spots, mineral deposits, and more. You can even clean your garage windows with it! How to Clean Windows with BKF!

MORE Spray + Foam shares the same cleaning components as our powder cleaner, minus the micro-abrasives. Use the spray cleaner function for horizontal or easily accessible surfaces, or switch to the “foam” setting for vertical surfaces.

Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser may be my favorite. Not that I’m lazy or anything, but it’s premixed and does all of the above.

Depending on your needs, BKF has a product for just about anything. Check it out: Bar Keepers Friend Products.  

Next, establish a regular cleaning and maintenance routine to maintain your newly organized space. Schedule quarterly decluttering sessions to prevent clutter from piling up again. Make it a habit to put things back in their designated spots after each use, and keep a shelf in the garage for BKF products.

Create a Functional Workspace

Finally, consider transforming your garage into more than a storage space. If you enjoy DIY projects or hobbies, carve out a dedicated area for a workbench or crafting station. Hang a pegboard to keep tools within arm’s reach, and invest in proper lighting to brighten up the space. (I do have a pegboard, but for it to work, I need to put things back.)

By creating a functional workspace, you’ll have a place to tackle projects and a reason to spend more time in your garage, making it part of your home and not a junkyard.

Tidying up your garage may seem daunting, but the benefits outweigh the effort. Not only will you reclaim valuable space and improve its functionality, but if you’re like me, you’ll also experience a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment knowing that you’ve tackled a project lingering on your to-do list.

So, roll up your sleeves, gather your supplies, and tidy up your garage. With a bit of time and effort, you’ll be rewarded with a clean, organized space that sets the tone for a fresh start this spring.

About the Author

Randy Clark is a speaker, coach, and author. He publishes a weekly blog at Randy Clark Leadership.com. Randy is passionate about social media, leadership development, and flower gardening. He’s a beer geek and on weekends (after COVID-19) he can be found fronting the Rock & Roll band Under the Radar. He’s the proud father of two educators; he has four amazing grandchildren and a wife who dedicates her time to helping others. Randy is the author of the Amazon bestseller The New Manager’s Workbook: A crash course in effective management.