No one wants to be inside in the month of May. Flowers have been blooming, the weather is
mostly nice and we are tired of being in the house. This is a good time to work on organizing the
garage and getting the outdoors ready for summer activities.
Since the Garage is
never first on our list of projects, let’s begin there. During the winter it often
becomes a temporary dumping ground for items. If this is the spouse’s territory, be sure to
work together as a team. God forbid that
you should purge or arrange items that were “special”. I have found the most effective way to
motivate a spouse is to begin purging and organizing your things. Sometimes the guilt factor is
motivating. Sometimes. Regardless, you never really can win a battle
with a spouse.
Take advantage of systems that will allow you to organize
your items off the floor. It is much
easier and faster to clean with fewer items on it. For
pennies or hundreds of dollars, you can invest in organizing solutions that
will work for you. Check out the home
improvement stores for hooks, peg boards or shelving units to hold items that
are now stacked on the floor. Be sure to label bins and cardboard boxes used
for storage.
Move out items you no longer need. Only things you continually use should be
kept. Boxes of old magazines,
newspapers, etc. should be recycled.
Let’s face it. You didn’t have time
to read them before and you won’t later on.
There are too many new ideas coming at us everyday and those articles
are outdated.
Review the sporting equipment to see if it is still
needed. Move on any you no longer use. For those you save, look for specialty hooks,
bags and shelves to store those. Be sure
to keep children’s things at lower levels so they can access them without your
help.
A great plan would be to make room for the car if you have
not already done this. Your automobile
is probably the second most expensive investment you have made so take care of
it. Mark off a space for it on the
floor. Identify a wall item or hang a
string or chain from the ceiling as a marker for how far you should pull
forward.
If outdoor, yard or
garden items are kept in the garage, garden tools and accessories, look over each one.
Remove rusted, broken or stained plant containers, stepping stones and
other garden fixtures. Create racks or
hooks for the tools and locate them together in one area. Specialty items are also available to hang
rakes, shovels, etc. so they do not get tangled together or take up floor
space.
Outdoor furniture may need to be cleaned before using, so
check over each piece. Toys that are
outgrown or no longer needed can be moved on.
If you have water sports equipment or pool accessories, try to store
those in good condition in their own area for convenience when they are
needed.
Yard art is becoming very popular but be careful you do not
allow it to take over. It can become
clutter just like anything else. There
is nothing more beautiful then flowering or luscious plants, shrubs and trees,
so make them your focal point. Adding
hanging baskets or a border of blooming flowers can make a significant impact.
Once your garage is cleaned, you may consider a Garage or Yard Sale. Here are some reminders.
**Collect, clean and repair items weeks ahead as you purge
spaces.
**Check prices of similar items. Put on price tags and store in a common
area. (Preprinted price tags can be
found in some stationery stores, dollar stores, etc.)
**Choose a sale date.
Join with neighbors if possible for a common date.
**Check community rules and get permits if necessary.
**Arrange for charity pickup or make plans for items not
sold.
**Write ad for newspaper, Craig’s List, newsletters, etc.
**Make signs and flyers for bulletin boards and curbs where
allowed.
**Obtain sufficient tables, racks, etc. for items to be
displayed.
**Get change for large bills and newspaper, bags, etc. for
fragile items or large sales.
**Use extension cords for testing electrical items.
**Place pens, paper, calculator, extra price tags, tape, and
stapler at check out table.
**After sale, remove signs, clean area and dispose of unsold
items as planned earlier.
A few other reminders for May:
Change the a/c filter
and have a routine inspection of all its components before the scorching days
of summer arrive. Clean ceiling fan blades and give other fans an inspection.
Clean the carpets and
floors. They were used and abused
all winter and deserve a thorough cleaning.
If piles of clutter or stacks of items are on them, consider moving the
items to shelving, cabinets or tables.
Floors are easier to keep clean when only furniture is on them.
