The Ultimate Garage Cleaning Checklist

If you and your family are like any of the other billions of people with garages, it’s more than likely that your garage’s cleanliness is often overlooked. After all, most garages are used as storage and a workspace. However, when you think about it, you use this space every single day opening and closing your garage door, passing through, and completing projects. Deep cleaning your garage at least once a year will make a world of difference, both visually and functionally. Trust us, you’ll be happy when it’s done!

Most garage doors are built pretty heavy-duty, able to withstand some serious abuse. But they still need some love from time to time. The perfect time to give them an inspection is when you are cleaning out your garage. Below is a garage cleaning checklist that’s sure to help save you time and energy.

Declutter Your Garage

Decluttering is your starting point. A garage is an easy place to just throw something that you “might use later” or that you need to “sort through”. Since you spend most of your time in the other areas of your home these items build up, and up - out of sight, out of mind. Take an afternoon to pull everything out of the garage that isn’t bolted down and go through it. Simply make 2 piles; “keep” and “get rid of”. From there, sort the piles into categories like “throw away” and “donate”, or “sports stuff” and “tools”.

Pro Tip: Get rid of stuff. If you don't need it, let it go!

Sweep & Clean Your Garage

Now that we’ve cleared out the garage there is going to be lots of dust, leaves, dirt, and general debris left behind. Grab some multi-purpose cleaner, rags, and a broom. Let’s get to work.

Step 1. It’s always best to work from top to bottom. Using your broom, sweep away any cobwebs, nests, etc. that have formed in the upper corners of your garage. Let them fall to the floor.

Step 2. Using a heavy-duty rag, wipe down all cabinets and shelving from top to bottom, just go ahead and let all the dust and dirt fall to the floor.

Step 3. Now it’s time for the big sweep. Start from the back and move toward the front sweeping out the entire garage floor. Once you're done, go over it again. Repeat until you’ve reached the desired result.

Step 4. Optional (but why not?): Using a pressure washer, hose, or mop, scrub your garage floors with a gentle all-purpose cleaning detergent. This will help remove spills and stains. Bonus: your garage will smell fresh as a daisy!

Step 5. Give your garage doors some love. Cleaning your garage doors will both boost your curb appeal and lengthen the life of your garage door materials. Be sure to use the appropriate cleaners based on your garage door material. For common materials like steel, fiberglass, and vinyl, simply hosing down your door and scrubbing it with a light dish detergent will suffice. Be sure to clean both the outside and inside of your garage door.

Garage Door Inspection

Take some time to inspect your garage door tracks. Using a broom or light hand brush, gently brush out cobwebs, bee’s nests, or any other debris that may have gotten trapped inside of them. This will ensure that they operate smoothly. Now is a good time to perform some regular garage door maintenance and inspections.

Time to Enjoy Your Garage

Now that you’ve decluttered your garage, wiped everything down, and washed the floors. You are going to be extremely satisfied with the look and feel of your garage. You’ll probably even want to spend more time there...new projects, man cave, who knows!

Since you’ve cleaned out your garage and spent some considerable time in it, you may have noticed that you are in need of some garage door repair. If that’s the case, contact us at Dodson Garage Doors. We service Trussville, Birmingham, Springville, Oneonta, and all the surrounding areas. Just give us a call/text at (205) 213-0894 or visit us online at www.dodsongargedoorsllc.com