Imagine the feeling of parking in an unsoiled, orderly room at the end of each work day. Imagine the ease of finding tools or toys right where they belong and right when you need them. A garage can be an extension of the home and an environment that complements daily living. It can also be a cluttered mess of boxes, dirt and incomplete or broken “treasures.” To make your garage its best this spring, try the following steps.

Remove. Take everything that isn’t attached out of the space. Then properly dispose of anything that is no longer needed.

Sweep. The walls, the ceiling, the window casings, the garage door and the floor itself all need a good sweep to remove insects, dust, lint and other unsightly things that tend to build up over time. After the big items are cleared of unwanted guests, move on to the small guys like light fixtures, garage door openers, switches, outlets and shelves.

Mop. Scrub away stains or dried-on dirt on doors, floors and other surfaces, including any stairs. While you’re at it, give the windows a thorough cleaning as well.

Paint. Whether it’s time for a touch up or the very first coat, a little paint can go a long way toward making the garage another room of the home.
Repair. While all of the garden tools, power equipment and sports accessories are spread out on the lawn or driveway, take the opportunity to make repairs and perform general maintenance. There is no point in storing things that can never be used when they are needed.

Re-organize. Re-organize all of the items that truly belong in the garage striving to place each object in a location that is both convenient and predictable. Move as much of the gear off of the floor as possible so that keeping the garage clean requires merely a simple sweep and a commitment to put things away regularly.

Park. Last, but not least, wash and wax your car before parking it in its spotless and tidy space.