Spring Cleaning: Helpful Tips to Organize your Garage Whether you are downsizing for a move or just doing something nice for Father’s Day, cleaning out the garage can be an overwhelming task. Like many of our household storage spaces,garagestend to quickly become home to a tremendous assortment of items. Downsizing experts recommend you tackle large projects like this as a series of smaller obtainable projects in order to consistently move toward your goal. Sorting and Organizing Prepare by having lots of garbage bags and boxes on hand for sorting and transporting donations. Start in one place and work your way systematically around the garage. Sort items into piles: • • • • •
Keep : Separate these items into categories (e.g., sports, lawn and garden, automotive, etc). Do not keep more items than space allows. Toss: Immediately put these items in the trash and don’t look back! Donate : Put the item in the donation boxes or bags. You may have more than one charity in mind, so separate by organization or location. Sell : Place items aside to sell at an estate sale, online auction site, etc. Give: Set items in piles depending on who they are going to.
Safety reminder: Garageitems can be dirty, heavy and even dangerous. Many organizers and estate sale specialists, such as Caring Transitions, will perform these functions for you or with you as part of their services. Donating and Selling Your city, village or community will have lists of local charities that may be interested in the items you have. Surplus household items and lawn tools may be donated to Habitat for Humanity and a variety of other charities. Advertising a garage sale may bring in a few interested people, especially if you have a lot of tools or children’s sports items that are in good condition. If you want to optimize the value of your possessions, you may consider including the garage items in a larger estate sale, especially if the home will soon be on the market. Safety reminder : Items that are badly rusted, broken or corroded may causesafety hazards. Consider whether such items would actually help or harm the charitable organization you are trying to support.
New Storage
©Caring Transitions 2006-2011. All content created by or on behalf of Caring Transitions. No reprint in part or entirety without permission.
If you are organizing a clutter-filled garage, you will want to set up new areas for storage before you start putting your “keep” items away. Once you have determined the space you need for your automobiles, map out storage solutions for each “category” of items. Organize items by adding pre-cut shelving, garage racks, modular storage units, peg board, hooks for bikes and lawn tools and for more spacetry overhead storage. There are also many garage “upgrades” on the market today, such as custom cabinetry, heated flooring and automated lighting. Hazardous Waste According to the Environment Protection Agency, improper disposal of hazardous household waste can: • • • • •
Causephysical injury to sanitation workers. Contaminate septic tanks or wastewater treatment systems if poured down drains or toilets. Pollute bodies of water if poured into storm sewers. Present hazards to children and pets if left around the house. Contaminate ground water and surface water that is used as a source of drinking water if sent to unprotected landfills.
It is important to handle these items carefully during the sorting, removal and transportation process. Check with your community waste management company for hours of operation and drop-off locations. Many communities also schedule special pick-up days in the spring and summer months. Schools and community centers will also hold ecofriendly events where you may safely dispose of items such as TVs, computers, paint and light bulbs. A complete list of hazardous items may be found on the EPAwebsite. Safety reminder: Transport hazardous products safely. Before leaving, make sure that the containers’ lids are on tight. Avoid leaving containers in the back or trunk of your car, especially on hot days. Take everything directly to the disposal site.
About Caring Transitions As life changes, it may become necessary to leave a familiar home and part with personal belongings in order to downsize and relocate to a smaller home or retirement community. At Caring Transitions, we help our clients understand the process, evaluate their options and make informed decisions that suit their best interests. We are committed to making each client’s experience positive by minimizing stress and maximizing results.
Visit us online at www.CaringTransitions.net 10700 Montgomery Rd. Ste. 300 Cincinnati, OH 45242 1-(800)-647-0766
©Caring Transitions 2006-2011. All content created by or on behalf of Caring Transitions. No reprint in part or entirety without permission.