How to Clean Your Garage

Set of wrenches

This spring is a brilliant time to start on your garage cleaning project. Cleaning the garage is a big task. We are making it easier for you to get it done with these simple garage cleaning tips. 

1. Choose the right time

If your garage has been moonlighting as a storeroom and a semi-junkyard, you will have a lot of things to remove so it is best to schedule your garage cleaning project on a weekend and when the weather is good.

2. Make it bearable

Get creative to get some help. Turn it into a kids’ activity so you can get the kids involved with some of the decluttering and cleaning. You can even clean your bbq in the meantime and invite some friends and family over to eat and help with the garage spring cleaning.

Create a playlist of music you enjoy so you have something to occupy your mind while you are cleaning out the garage. 

3. Take the car out

Remove your car, the kids’ bikes, and your mountain bike before you start cleaning your garage. 

4. Remove everything and sort

Clear a space in your porch, driveway, or garden to put everything you will be taking out of the garage. Sort things out into three groups: KEEP, THROW and DONATE. 

KEEP only things you are using or likely to use soon. For example, camping equipment, tools, inflatable mattress, etc.

THROW everything that is broken and things that you don’t use anymore. For example, old clothes, appliances, computers, keyboards, televisions, etc

DONATE all the things that are in reasonable condition that someone else may find useful. A clothing bin is not a rubbish tip for you to throw old clothing. Only donate reasonably good condition items to charity. If you are not sure where to put an item, ditch it. It means you don’t need it.

5. Clean from top to bottom

The golden rule of cleaning is from top to bottom. If you start from the bottom first, it may become dirty again when you clean the top part of the garage. That means double the cleaning! Don’t think of wiping down the walls until you have removed the cobwebs and dust from the ceiling. Don’t get stuck into the floors until you have cleaned the ceiling and the walls. And don’t put anything back into the garage until you have cleaned it thoroughly including cleaning inside drawers and cleaning the shelves. 

6. Clean the ceiling 

What you will need:

  • Step ladder
  • Safety goggles
  • Soft-bristled brush
  • Long-handle cobweb brush
  • Sponge
  • Floor mat
  • Dishwashing liquid
  • Bucket
  • Gloves
  1. Use a cobweb brush to remove cobwebs and dust from the ceiling.
  2. Put a few drops of dishwashing liquid into a bucket of water.
  3. Put on your goggles and gloves. The goggles prevent water from getting into your eyes. 
  4. Secure your step ladder.
  5. Place a non-slip mat near the ladder to prevent slipping.
  6. Dip the sponge in the soapy water and clean the ceiling as you would any surface.
  7. Use the brush for stubborn stains. 

7. Clean the walls

What you will need:

  • Step ladder
  • Extendable duster
  • Brush and dustpan
  • Sugar soap
  • Floor mat
  • Bucket
  • Gloves
  • Cleaning rags
  1. Put on your protective gloves.
  2. Use the brush and dustpan to brush off dirt and dust from the walls.
  3. Use the extendable duster for hard to reach areas.
  4. Dampen the rag with sugar soap.
  5. Scrub walls to remove stains and marks.
  6. Use a ladder if necessary. Always place a non-slip mat near the ladder to prevent slipping.
  7. Allow to dry completely. 

8. Clean the floors

What you will need:

  • Goggles
  • Soft-bristled broom
  • Hard-bristled broom
  • Bucket
  • Mop
  • Floor cleaner
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Flour
  • Plastic-edge scraper
  1. Put goggles on. 
  2. Sweep the floor to remove surface dirt and debris.
  3. Use the hard-bristled broom for marks
  4. For stubborn oil and grease spills, combine hydrogen peroxide with flour to make a paste. Apply on the affected area and leave overnight. Scrape off the next morning. 

9. Organise your garage

After cleaning the garage, you can put all the ‘KEEP’ things back into the garage. Arrange neatly. Here is a list of cool tips:

  • Store things in boxes and containers
  • Install a magnetic knife strip for your tools, nails, and screws
  • Install a fly screen to create light and air
  • Install a metal locker
  • Install a door to the home
  • Put up some shelves
  • Install a fold-down workbench to save space
  • Add pool noddles to protect your car doors
  • Paint the floor and walls with moisture-blocking paint to brighten up the place
  • Install cabinets
  • Add insulation
  • Put in a new remote-control door
  • Create new spaces for entertaining and living

10. How to clean your garage door

Dust surface dust and debris from the garage with a soft-bristled brush and a small dustpan. Use an extendable microfibre duster for higher parts of the door. 

Wash with a mild liquid soap (for example a car-washing liquid or dishwashing liquid) and water. Wash both the interior and exterior using a sponge cloth and soft brush. Do not use any harsh abrasive substance on your garage door as you may scratch the paint or damage the seals. 

11. Skip bin your rubbish

If you anticipate having a lot of rubbish to throw out, then rent a skip bin in advance so that you can directly put rubbish into it. That will save you having to do it twice. 

What size skip bin should you get?

Skip bin
Skip bin sizes

What you cannot throw into a skip bin: perishable waste (for example food waste), asbestos (unless the skip bin remover has a licence), hazardous waste, insulation, liquids (paints, oils, chemicals. Dry paint in cans is acceptable), gas bottles, empty chemical containers, and tree trunks.

12. Garage clean-up ideas

To motivate you to start cleaning your garage, here are some brilliant ideas with all that newfound space you have created once the garage is cleaned. 

  • A man-cave
  • A dedicated wall for your tools
  • A home office
  • Space to park your car not just the wife’s
  • A workbench
  • A new entertaining space
  • A games room
  • A home gym
  • A sleepout
  • A hobby corner
  • A play area

Our house cleaning services are available in various cities in Australia, including AdelaideBrisbaneCanberraGold CoastHobartMelbournePerth, and Sydney. Aside from Gold Coast house cleaning services, End of lease cleaning services are also available in AdelaideBrisbaneCanberraGold CoastHobartMelbournePerth, and Sydney. Did you like this guide on how to clean your garage? Then you might just like these guides on How to Clean Car Seats, How to Remove Limescale and Clean Your Appliances, and How to Clean Concrete Floors.

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