| When storage space for seasonal items becomes | | | | Handle each item just once! Put it in the appropriate |
| packed with other items, like things you mean to fix | | | | pile, on the shelf, in the tool box or in the trash bin. |
| or repair or materials for unfinished projects, | | | | Get rid of whatever you haven't used in over a year; |
| outgrown clothing, items the kids left behind when | | | | chances are, you really do not need it and will never |
| they moved out and many other things that | | | | use it. Continue with each item until the driveway is |
| accumulate over time, the job is often much larger | | | | clean, the garage is organized and the dumpster is full. |
| that it looks. Be sure to plan ahead before tackling | | | | Decide where to store everything. Items like tools or |
| this project; allow twice the amount of time you | | | | things used on a regular basis should be stored in an |
| think it will take to remove the clutter. | | | | easily accessible location. Holiday decorations and |
| Decide what size trash bin or dumpster will be | | | | seasonal items can be placed on high shelves or up in |
| needed to get rid of the trash. You will save yourself | | | | the rafters area. Remember to allow space for easy |
| a lot of time and trouble just throwing everything | | | | access to the lawn mower, bicycles and other large |
| into the trash bin rather than stuffing garbage bags, | | | | items that will need to be taken in and out regularly. |
| not to mention that huge pile of clutter in the front | | | | Be sure to make it easy to access with or without |
| yard waiting for trash pick-up day. | | | | the cars being in the garage. |
| Be organized when taking on this project. Move the | | | | When the project is complete and the dumpster is |
| cars and use the driveway as a place to pile | | | | being rolled away, make a mental note to be more |
| everything. Empty the garage completely, sweep it | | | | organized in the future; remember how this huge |
| clean and begin reorganizing. This is the time to put | | | | project took all day. Admire your handiwork for a |
| up shelves, build a cabinet or install the organizers. | | | | few minutes to appreciate the nicely organized |
| Now that everything is easy to see, you can decide | | | | garage you've been thinking about and looking |
| what to keep, what to donate to charity and what | | | | forward to all winter. Of course, clutter happens, |
| gets pitched in the trash bin. Maybe you have things | | | | over time, but a clean-up project this large can be |
| you've been meaning to give to a friend or family | | | | kept down to an annual event if you remember to |
| member, something you borrowed and need to | | | | have a place for everything and keep everything in |
| return or things other people left at your home. Have | | | | its place. |
| different piles for different categories. | | | | |