What's in Your Garage?
November 18, 2009
Garages in California tend to become the storage areas that back-east homes have in attics and basements. After a while, there is more stuff in the garage and the cars are relocated to the driveway.
Recently the insurance company, GEICO, in their promotional magazine had an article entitled "5 Steps to a Gorgeous Garage". This article really caught my attention since I have a garage that barely has enough open space for someone to walk through. Even if your garage is relatively neat, it might be useful to give it a good cleaning while the weather still permits you to take things out of the garage with out fear that rain will destroy them before you get them sorted.
Here are GEICO's tips and I quote:
"1. Make your plan. ...determine in advance how you'll store items so you'll have the necessary containers and materials on hand when you do the job.
2. Carry everything outside and clean the inside....Use cat litter to soak up residue from oil or fluid spills or leaks.
3. Sort. Group together tools, gardening equipment, sporting goods....Be sure to make "Trash" and "Donate" piles, too.
4. Evaluate. ...If you're into garage sales or online selling create a "Sale" area. Ask yourself: Have I used this in years? Am I likely to use it again? If it doesn't work, will I ever fix it? Do I want to bother selling it? Would I buy it now if I didn't have to? Do really need it?
Separately group items classified as "hazardous" such as old computers, fluorescent light bulbs, paint, leftover chemicals which need a safe disposal. Store them is an safe, convenient location so you can drop them off at the appropriate recycling facility when you have time.
5. Put back what you're keeping. Use vertical space to get as much as possible off the floor.... "
This cleaning day could be like a treasure hunt. You could find items that have been long lost.
When the job is done, you will know what you have and I am sure you will maintain the garage in its newly organized state.
Garages in California tend to become the storage areas that back-east homes have in attics and basements. After a while, there is more stuff in the garage and the cars are relocated to the driveway.
Recently the insurance company, GEICO, in their promotional magazine had an article entitled "5 Steps to a Gorgeous Garage". This article really caught my attention since I have a garage that barely has enough open space for someone to walk through. Even if your garage is relatively neat, it might be useful to give it a good cleaning while the weather still permits you to take things out of the garage with out fear that rain will destroy them before you get them sorted.
Here are GEICO's tips and I quote:
"1. Make your plan. ...determine in advance how you'll store items so you'll have the necessary containers and materials on hand when you do the job.
2. Carry everything outside and clean the inside....Use cat litter to soak up residue from oil or fluid spills or leaks.
3. Sort. Group together tools, gardening equipment, sporting goods....Be sure to make "Trash" and "Donate" piles, too.
4. Evaluate. ...If you're into garage sales or online selling create a "Sale" area. Ask yourself: Have I used this in years? Am I likely to use it again? If it doesn't work, will I ever fix it? Do I want to bother selling it? Would I buy it now if I didn't have to? Do really need it?
Separately group items classified as "hazardous" such as old computers, fluorescent light bulbs, paint, leftover chemicals which need a safe disposal. Store them is an safe, convenient location so you can drop them off at the appropriate recycling facility when you have time.
5. Put back what you're keeping. Use vertical space to get as much as possible off the floor.... "
This cleaning day could be like a treasure hunt. You could find items that have been long lost.
When the job is done, you will know what you have and I am sure you will maintain the garage in its newly organized state.
posted by shirley harry at 9:31 AM
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