Garages are some of the most abandoned spaces in most homes when it comes to organization. Being some of the most activity-filled areas often requires a lot of effort to keep them clean and organized. Following the tips below could help your garage cleaner and safer.
Keep hazardous items locked
Most people store dangerous materials and chemicals in garages since they are the least prone to coming into contact with other items. Such items could include pesticides, insecticides, cleaning products, paints, solvents, gasoline, and car maintenance fluids. These materials should be kept out of reach of pets and children in high cabinets. Products like fertilizers should be locked away in properly ventilated areas.
Lock power tools and sharp items
Children like to explore and play with items, especially when their parents are not around. They may be curious about the power tools they see adults using to which they are denied access. Ensure they are returned to their cabinets and are properly locked whenever they are not in use.
You can use a barn door lock for extra security, which is highly efficient and aesthetically pleasing. Also, store all your sharp tools like shovels, pruners, and other yard tools in a safe place to prevent accidents and keep your garage organized at the same time.
Clean your garage frequently
It is easy to dump all your junk in the garage when cleaning the rest of the house and to forget it there. It starts with one unused dish rack and ends up as a huge heap of garbage that no one pays attention to. The accumulation could go on for months or even years since the garage is a place you get in and out of when you need to but never spend any time inside.
The heaps of garbage could cause injuries, make people trip, or even be a fire hazard because of paper, boxes, and some paints. In the worst case, carelessly stored heavy items could cause dents and scratches to your car, increasing the chances of damages and causing faster wear and tear.
Set aside one day to declutter your entire garage. It would be better to start in the morning. Move all your cars onto the driveway and start sorting out the items. Separate the usable items from the worthless ones, and dispose of them appropriately. As the space is still empty, do a thorough cleaning, from the walls to the floor, to the roof, and the doors and cabinets. You can create extra storage areas to neatly store your items since vehicles occupy the center of the garage.
Throw away old chemicals and paints
After living in the same house for a while, you are likely to have a huge collection of old cans of chemicals and paints. Most people store remains just in case they’ll need them later, and they end up becoming a collection of clutter over time. Paints, especially oil-based ones, are fire hazards, and chemicals are health hazards.
If you do your automobile maintenance on your own, you most likely have several vehicle parts like tires and batteries lying around, which could pose a great risk to your safety. You can call automotive recyclers to inspect these parts for spills and damage, then they will take the parts that are in good shape for recycling and dispose of the useless ones safely.
Install proper garage lighting
When it comes to lighting, garages are often overlooked. Most people assume one or two bulbs are enough to illuminate their entire garage. Install modern energy-efficient light fixtures to illuminate your entire space uniformly.
It makes your work easier when driving in and out and searching for tools and makes it safer since it becomes easier to spot dangerous items lying around. Also, make sure all your storage systems are properly anchored to accommodate heavier items.
Fire safety measures
Clearing out your garage generally keeps it safer against fire risks, but you also need proactive measures in case a fire occurs nevertheless. Invest in a smoke detector and heat detector alarm that will go off as soon as it detects any signs of a fire. Also, have a fire extinguisher close to your garage door and educate everyone old enough on how to use it.
