Whether you’re putting off your annual spring cleaning or you’re tired of searching high and low for your belongings, it’s time to clean the garage.

While a garage cleanout may sound daunting, it will only get worse if you don’t tackle it head-on. You may discover you only need to wipe off accumulated grime, or it could be as extensive as determining you need to repair your garage door.

Ready to clean the garage but unsure of where to begin? In our guide, we’ll walk through some tips, tricks, and steps to follow that will help you streamline the process.

To prepare for your garage cleanout, choose a day when rain isn't in the forecast, and the temperature isn't too high or low. You want to clean the garage when the weather is mild and comfortable –– it's no fun lugging around your accumulated items in the blistering heat or on a wet, cold day.

To keep morale high, consider asking a family member, neighbor, or friend to assist in the garage cleanup project. The promise of a free lunch or dinner or returning the favor just might be enough to secure the help you need. Consult with friends and family to find a day that works for everyone.

Pro tip: To make the process go smoother, assign specific tasks to each helper and plan out the areas each person will tackle in advance. A little pre-planning will make the execution that much easier.

The trick to garage cleaning is to empty everything out so you have a clean slate. This helps you better assess the volume of stuff you're working with, which will result in a more efficient cleanout. Be sure to create categories for your belongings, including sports equipment, holiday decor, or seasonal gear. Having your items categorized in groups will help you organize and store them after you clean the garage.

Emptying the garage goes beyond removing your belongings — it also includes taking things off hooks, removing storage bins, and removing other loose miscellaneous items. Once your space is fully cleared out, you can envision the best place to store everything. This is where that pre-planning can help. Knowing how you want to store and access items will make putting them away easier.

Now's the time to repair, replace, and improve any spaces in the garage. This is a great time to make these updates now that your garage is empty.

Here are a few projects to consider:

Garages are notorious for developing unpleasant odors over time due to moisture, mold, mildew, chemicals, and little airflow. The garage is often a designated area for storing garbage, storage boxes, fuel for gas-powered lawn equipment, containers, and other items and can leave an unpleasant scent.

It's important to tackle icky odors during your garage cleanout. Make sure to clean any trash bins and storage containers. You can also use essential oils to help improve the scent. Deodorizers and even some baking soda can help absorb and eliminate these tough odors, but be sure to replace them regularly.

Aside from cleaning the garage door, you'll want to clean all surfaces. Start from the top and work your way to the bottom, going side to side. If you have a shop-vac, now is the time to put it to work. This will help minimize the amount of dust and debris in the air. If you don't have a shop-vac, use your trusty broom or duster, brush along the walls, storage containers, baseboards, and the floor to remove dust and debris. Bring out your mop to wash the garage floor. You can also use a pressure washer to make the floors even cleaner.

Here's how to clean other garage surfaces:

It's easy to forget to clean or maintain floors. This area often bears the brunt of spills, stains, and seasonal road salt and sand. After you sweep, vacuum, or pressure wash the floors, focus your attention on stains, spills, and cracks. Use a degreaser or floor cleaner with a stiff-bristled brush to remove stains. Apply a garage floor sealant to protect against future stains and damage.

Pro tip: Consider an epoxy floor finish, which is both durable and water-resistant.

Here are some common ways to care for the garage floor:

As you clean the garage, you may notice a sudden need for additional storage. While you may not be able to add more square footage, you can get creative.

This is where garage wall storage becomes an invaluable option. Maximize vertical space by installing wall-mounted storage solutions such as shelves, cabinets, or pegboards. Wall storage not only helps keep items off the floor but also provides easy access to frequently used tools, supplies, tools, and even decor. Choose adjustable shelving units or modular storage systems to customize the layout according to your needs.

Here are a few garage wall storage ideas to maximize your space:

Sliding shelves are an excellent storage solution for cabinets or shelving units to maximize your garage space. This type of garage shelf glides in and out of cabinets smoothly, allowing you to access items stored at the back without having to rummage through cluttered shelves.

You can install sliding shelves for small tools, automotive supplies, or gardening equipment to streamline your organization and accessibility.

Track storage systems consist of a horizontal track mounted to the wall with adjustable hooks, bins, or baskets that can be repositioned as needed. This organization system provides flexible storage for items of various sizes and shapes, such as sports equipment, hoses, or power tools.

Install track storage along unused wall space to make the most of your garage's storage capacity while keeping the floor clear.

Garages are known for collecting and storing clutter. (Yes, we’re talking about that broken lamp you refuse to discard.) Take this time to declutter your garage and sort through your belongings. Make separate piles for items to keep, donate, sell, or throw away. You can also recycle, reuse, and compost your unwanted items.

Try to resist the temptation of holding onto items out of sentimentality or the very common “just in case.” Here are a few items to consider tossing:

If you perform a lot of household chores like gardening or routine maintenance, you’ll want to create a designated tool storage area. Not only will this simplified storage declutter your garage, but it will eliminate the headache and hassle of searching for your tools.

Invest in tool organizers, pegboards, or wall-mounted racks to keep tools sorted and easily accessible. Group similar tools together and arrange them in a logical order, perhaps by frequency of use or type of project. Consider labeling or color-coding storage areas to make it easy to locate specific tools at a glance.

Now that you’re more familiar with how to clean the garage, you’re ready to get started. Remember to choose a day with mild weather, and one that works for you and anyone who’s helping. Start by clearing everything out for a clean slate. Then, go in and wipe and wash all areas. Don’t forget to sort through your belongings and declutter (and actually toss or donate items).

A thorough garage cleanout tends to uncover other necessary maintenance. If you find that your garage door could use the same level of care, trust the professionals at your local Precision Garage Door Service for your garage door repair needs.