Five Steps to Declutter Your Garage

We’re likely all guilty of overcrowding our garage with boxloads of belongings. While the garage is a great place to store bulkier items that don’t belong in the house, it also tends to be our go-to spot for hoarding junk that we’re not likely to use again, but not quite ready to part with either. It’s also pretty easy to let a mess accumulate in the garage since we don’t spend too much time in there on a daily basis. But if you neglect your garage and its contents for too long, the task of decluttering it becomes more and more daunting.

Tackling a disorganised, jam-packed garage isn’t exactly our idea of a relaxing Saturday morning. It takes time, effort and elbow grease. But getting rid of old, unusable odds and ends lifts a weight off your shoulders that makes it all worth it. Think of it as a cleansing ritual - clear garage = clear head. Who knows, you might even find a few things worth selling, or donating to charity. And by giving the place a good scrub, you can tick that chore off your to-do list for another few months. You will also free up plenty of extra space that you probably didn’t even know you had.

Are you a garage stasher? You’re not alone. Let’s kick off summer with an epic clear out. Here are Euca’s tips to get you started.

1.   Fail to prepare, prepare to fail

The first step is locking a date into the diary. Work out when you have a block of free time to get it done in one go. We recommend choosing a non-working day with good weather forecast – nobody wants to be hauling boxes back and forth in the rain, so make life easy for yourself. You’ll want to pencil in at least a half day, if not a full one. It all depends on the size of your space and how chaotic it is. Once you’ve scheduled the big day, make sure you have an arsenal of cleaning and decluttering equipment at your disposal. You’ll need things like bin bags, boxes, rubber gloves and some high-performance cleaning agents – more on that later.

2.   Learn to let go

Many of your possessions will have been sitting stagnant in your garage for long periods of time. Ask yourself whether you really need them anymore. Humans tend to attach sentimental value to old things, and while it’s nice to hold onto a keepsake here and a memento there here, overdoing it is counterintuitive. The more you hold onto, the less special they become. So learn to say goodbye when needs be. In future, why not try to implement a policy whereby every time you purchase something new, you get rid of something else you own? This is a practical way to manage your collection of material things, preventing them from cluttering your physical space as well as your headspace.

3.   Sort it out

At Euca, we are all about sustainability. So before you order a rubbish skip to haul your unwanted items to the dump, take the time to sort through them and consider whether anything can be re-homed. As the saying goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Perhaps a friend or family member might be interested in your old rollerblades or body board. Your local charity shop may be happy to take a few bits off your hand, too. You may even be able to make a profit by holding a car boot sale in your neighbourhood. Alternatively, there are plenty of platforms on which you can sell virtually, such as Ebay and Depop. Most importantly, make sure to recycle whenever and wherever possible. Once everything is in its correct box or bag, you can load up your car and make stops at the recycling bank, the charity shop, and any other drop off points necessary.

4.   Invest in some storage units

To avoid another monumental clean-up in the future, consider investing in some high-quality, clear storage units so you can organise your items properly. Designate an area for different categories, such as camping and Christmas lights. We recommend making labels too, so that everything can easily be found in its right place. These little steps in the interim will make life a whole lot easier in the long run.

5.   Start scrubbing

Now that you’ve gotten rid of the clutter, it’s time to roll up the sleeves and put on the rubber gloves. There tends to be a preconception that garages are inherently dirty, but yours doesn’t have to be. Sure, you may not clean it as regularly and as thoroughly as your house, but it’s still important to have hygiene standards. Here are some cleaning tips to freshen your garage up.

Protect your hands

Your garage could be home to all sorts of germs. Because they tend to be left unattended most of the time, dirt, cobwebs and dust often collect in garages – not to mention creepy crawlies. Ensure your hands are well protected with Euca Shield Barrier Hand Cream. Euca Shield is a multi-function skin cream that repairs and moistens dry skin while providing an invisible layer of defence that shields you from irritants, allergens and other nasties.

Garage door

For grubby garage doors, we recommend with Euca Show Time. This high-performance concentrate cuts through dirt and grime with ease, leaving surfaces spotless. Its non-caustic formula means it won’t affect the finish of your garage door, in fact will leave it looking better as it has wax and fluoro bases to help restore sun baked surfaces. Simply apply it using a bucket of water with about 40ml of Show Time, a non-abrasive sponge or cloth. You can also high pressure wash as well if that’s easier for you. Simple and quick, for great results (more on Show Time later).

Garage walls / racking

Euca Multi (nee Tuff) is the perfect all surface cleaner, that removes marks and cuts through grease and grime with ease. It’s a non-caustic formula which is easier to use, meaning no stressing or worrying about having to avoid contact with the skin. Euca Multi is made with all-natural ingredients, including citrus and eucalyptus, without compromising its cleaning power. Simply apply it using our spray bottles applicators, or add to a bucket of water (about 40ml), apply using a wet cloth or non-abrasive sponge and let the magic happen.

TIP: Multi is also great for cleaning garden tools/lawn mowers etc.

Garage floor

Do you use your garage for car repairs or DIY? If so, garage floors can become a greasy, toxic slip-hazard. Scrubbing greasy floors can be an arduous task, therefore it’s essential that you have a high-strength cleaning agent to do most of the hard work for you. Euca Sprinkle is an eco-friendly powder floor degreaser formulated specifically for garage and workshop floors. It effortlessly lifts grease, leaving your garage floor squeaky clean and non-slippery. Euca Sprinkle is also non-caustic so won’t damage or erode any surfaces.

Car

If you’re cleaning your garage, you might as well tackle your car while you’re at it. No need to take your car to your local carwash. Give it that coveted fresh-from-the-dealership look at home with Euca Show Time. Dirt slides off with this multi-purpose cleaning liquid, which is also enhanced with a rust inhibitor and a water-soluble wax with fluoro chemicals for a protective coating that helps to prevent future damage. Euca Show Time can be used to treat areas of your vehicle’s exterior, including windows and alloys. Simply dilute the mix (recommended 1-part Show Time to 10 parts water) and spray onto the dry, dirty surface using a hand held trigger spray, a pressure washer or a good old fashioned bucket and sponge. Let the solution rest to do its work, and wash off with a hose or a pressure washer. Voilà! A restored, shiny set of wheels.

Clearing out and cleaning the garage is a task that we all tend to put off for months on end. Cross it off your to-do list with our tips for success. If you feel intimidated by the ordeal, make it a family affair. Give everybody their own jobs, or assign them to different stations. Sorting through old possessions will likely be a catalyst for storytelling as you reflect on first days, holidays, parties and other cherished memories together.

If you’re curious about any of the cleaning products we mentioned above, visit www.eucaonline.com.au today. Euca is a 100% Australian owned company that continues to manufacture its products domestically in Melbourne. Euca remains committed to the eco-friendly, sustainable philosophy upon which the company was founded, using all-natural ingredients and selling in bulk to reduce packaging waste. Shop consciously with Euca today.