How to Clean Out a Garage: A Step-by-Step Guide

Is your garage starting to look more like a storage unit than a usable space? You’re not alone. Most homeowners end up using their garages as a catch-all for tools, sports gear, holiday decorations, and yes—junk. But don't worry. With a solid plan, a little elbow grease, and some help from a junk removal service like WeCycle, you can reclaim your garage for good.

In this blog, we will discuss step-by-step guides on how to clean out your garage efficiently and stress-free.

Why You Should Clean Your Garage 🔗

A messy garage isn’t just an eyesore. It can stress you out and make finding things a hassle. Decluttering creates space for your car, tools, or even a workshop. Plus, a clean garage boosts your home’s value and curb appeal. Ready to tackle it? Let’s dive into the best way to clean out a garage.

Step-by-Step Garage Clean Out 🔗

Here’s a clear plan to declutter and organize your garage. These step-by-step garage clean out tips keep things simple and effective.

1. Prepare To Clean Your Garage 🔗

Pick a day with mild weather and no rain in the forecast. It’ll be easier to work in the garage and leave your car in the driveway without worrying about the weather.

If possible, get the whole family involved. Cleaning out the garage is a lot quicker—and even kind of fun—when everyone pitches in. Start by pulling the cars out, making a rough plan of what needs to get done, and giving each person a task. Just like any home improvement project, having a game plan and a few helping hands makes the process smoother and way less stressful.

2. Make a Plan 🔗

Before cleaning day rolls around, take a moment to map out the basics based on your garage setup. Think about which tasks are specific to your space—like relocating oversized gear, checking fuel levels in tools, or organizing seasonal items. Make a list of what needs to go into storage and what should be tossed, donated, or set aside. You’ll also want to jot down what supplies you’ll need—like waterproof storage bins, heavy-duty hooks, or shelving—and grab them ahead of time so you’re not scrambling mid-cleanout.

For larger items—like kayaks, ladders, or yard equipment—it’s smart to move those first so you can actually walk around and work. Don’t forget special reminders: maybe your lawnmower needs fuel stabilizer added, or you want to make sure nobody messes with your fishing gear. As the cleanout day gets closer, it’s also a good idea to assign jobs to other family members so everything runs smoother and faster.

3. Make a Workplace Outside the Garage 🔗

Most garages don’t leave much room for organizing or deep cleaning, especially once they’re packed with stuff. That’s why it’s smart to set up a temporary workspace outside—like your driveway, porch, or back deck. Use that space to sort smaller items, set up your cleaning supplies, and keep your tools within reach. Make sure there’s enough room to clean and dry any larger items before they go back inside.

4. Start with a Declutter First 🔗

We always recommend starting your garage cleanout with a trash bag in hand and a mindset to declutter. Garages tend to collect all kinds of stuff you don’t need—from random junk to items you forgot even existed.

Look out for things like flattened cardboard boxes, old paint cans, empty bottles, broken tools, torn bags of fertilizer or mulch, outdated holiday decorations, and dead batteries. If you haven’t touched it in years, chances are you won’t miss it. Just be sure to dispose of any hazardous materials safely and in accordance with local guidelines.

5. Remove Everything From the Garage 🔗

Starting with a clean slate always makes the job easier. Take everything out of the garage—even the stuff tucked away in bins or hanging on hooks. As you go, try to group similar items together, like summer toys, camping gear, or sports equipment. Once the space is empty, you’ll have room to deep clean and see the full layout. Looking at your garage without all the clutter helps you reimagine how to organize it better when it's time to put things back.

6. Repair or upgrade 🔗

Now that your garage is cleared out, it’s the perfect time to take care of any needed repairs or small upgrades.

Check for drywall damage and patch up any holes or cracks.
Touch up the paint if the walls are scuffed or faded—it instantly freshens the space.
Reinforce shelves, hooks, or any wall-mounted storage to make sure everything stays secure once you start loading it back up.
Inspect electrical outlets and exposed wires, and fix or replace anything that looks worn or damaged.
Swap out old lightbulbs for brighter, energy-efficient ones to improve visibility.
Look for cracks in the concrete floor—if you spot any, seal them up or consider applying an epoxy coating for a cleaner, more durable surface.
Run chalk along window seals to help block out drafts and pests.
Test your garage door for smooth opening and closing; adjust or lubricate the tracks if needed.
Keep an eye out for signs of rodents—seal up small holes and set traps if necessary.
Clear the gutters around your garage to prevent water buildup and potential damage to the foundation or siding.

Tackling these small tasks while the space is empty makes everything easier—and your garage will look and function better when you're done.

7. Clean Surfaces From Top to Bottom 🔗

Start cleaning your garage from the top down so anything that falls gets picked up later.

Use a broom or long-handled duster to knock down cobwebs from the ceiling corners. Then, dust off the walls, shelves, and any storage bins or containers—you’ll be surprised how much grime builds up over time.

Once that’s done, move to the floor. Begin sweeping from the back of the garage and work your way toward the door. Don’t forget to hit the baseboards too. Gather up all the dirt and debris with a dustpan and toss it in the trash.

Clean the floor

Use a commercial concrete cleaner or mix equal parts hot water and distilled white vinegar to mop the garage floor. Start from the back and work your way toward the garage door, and try not to step on the wet areas as you go. If you'd rather skip the mop, a pressure washer works great too and gets the job done fast.

To avoid slipping, wait until the floor is completely dry before walking on it. While it dries, take the time to organize your stuff or tackle another small cleaning task.

Remove Stains

Garage floors often get stained from lawnmowers, cars, and other equipment. To tackle rust or oil spots, try using a grease-cutting dish soap or a mix of lemon juice and baking soda. Another effective solution is one ounce of Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) dissolved in a gallon of boiling water—but be sure to wear gloves, long sleeves, and safety glasses when handling it.

8. Clear out unnecessary stuff 🔗

Start by sorting everything in your garage into categories like lawn tools, winter gear, sports equipment, and toys. Take a close look at each group and decide what you actually use and what you’re ready to part with.

It’s much easier to keep things organized once you’ve cleared out the clutter.

If you have items you no longer need, consider donating them. Just remember, different organizations have their own rules about what they’ll accept. Here are some common donation spots and the types of items they usually take:

The Salvation Army: clothing, electronics, furniture, jewelry, books, some mattresses

Goodwill: Cars, clothing, books, games, electronics, household appliances

Habitat for Humanity: Furniture, appliances, building materials

If you don't have access to the usual donation centers, consider reaching out to non-profit organizations in your area. Many non-profits have unique needs, and your unwanted items might be just what they're looking for. For example, animal shelters often need old blankets and towels for pet bedding.

Keep in mind that most donation centers generally don't accept damaged or recalled items, nor will they take mattresses or box springs.

Donating your unwanted belongings is a great way to give back and can make a real difference, turning your "trash" into someone else's "treasure."

9. Create a Designated Area for Each Object 🔗

It is simple to put things away when each item has a designated place. Even storage boxes, hooks, and baskets can be labeled with descriptive terms like "bike helmets" or "snow shovel." Being explicit can help you always know where anything belongs and reduce the likelihood that you will put something back where it doesn't belong, which could result in needless clutter.

10. Contain Loose Items 🔗

It’s easy to just drop random stuff in your garage, but finding it later? That’s the hard part. Give loose items a proper home—for example, keep your garden gloves in a small bin instead of tossing them on a shelf. Toss basketballs and soccer balls into a big plastic basket, and store flower seeds in a sealed container.

When you keep things contained like this, it not only saves space but also stops you from piling up too many of the same kind of item.

11. Remove Odors 🔗

Your cleaning and decluttering should’ve tackled most of the funky smells that’ve built up in your garage over time. To keep mildew at bay, we recommend letting the garage air out and dry completely before shutting the doors and windows.

Now’s a great time to scrub out your trash cans and let them air dry if you keep them in the garage. For any big messes causing bad odors, try using deodorizers like baking soda or kitty litter to freshen things up.

12. Maximize Space with Floor-to-Ceiling Storage Solutions 🔗

Floor-to-Ceiling Storage Solutions

When picking storage for your freshly revamped garage, lean into vertical storage to make the most of every inch of space. As we touched on in the planning part, it’s a good move to choose these storage options early and order them so they’re ready to roll when you are.

Think about garage organizers like:

DIY garage shelves or wire shelving
Wall-mounted hooks
Overhead, rafter, or ceiling-hung racks
Pegboards for smaller tools
Corner shelving units
Heavy-duty tall shelves, like Gorilla racks
Storage tubes for long-handled tools
Tool racks
Bike racks for wall or ceiling
Ball bins or baskets
Rolling tool carts
Plastic storage totes with secure lids

Don’t stress about getting your storage setup perfect right off the bat. Focus on nailing a few key storage spots first. You can always tweak or add more later—or call in a garage organizing pro if you need a hand.

13. Maintain Your Systems and Space 🔗

Keep your garage working for you every day after that initial big clean-out. With regular upkeep, you and your family can enjoy a tidy, well-organized space all year round. To keep your garage neat and clean, sweep the floors and clear out cobwebs at least four times a year. Mop the floor at least twice a year to keep it looking fresh and new.

Rather than tossing stuff somewhere to deal with later, make a habit of putting things back in their rightful spot as soon as you’re done with them. Donate or pass along anything you don’t need anymore instead of letting it clutter up your garage.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Professional Organizer? 🔗

The average cost to hire a professional organizer runs around $525, but prices can range from $250 to $835. Factors like the job’s size, your location, and the organizer’s experience level all play a role in the final bill. Garages, due to their size, are notoriously tough to tackle, which can drive up the cost. If you’re dealing with a seriously cluttered space, expect the price to climb significantly.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro 🔗

If you’ve got some time and a few handy tools, cleaning up your garage is a solid DIY project. The key is having plenty of cleaning supplies and a spot to stash everything left after you’re done clearing out the clutter.

Costs can add up quickly if you’re building shelves as part of the cleanup, since storage solutions don’t come cheap. For DIY jobs like this, you might want to team up with two pros: a local home organizer and a cleaning expert. Some companies can even tackle both tasks in one visit.

Conclusion 🔗

A clean, well-organized garage can seriously boost your home’s functionality and vibe. Putting in the effort to sort out storage and clear the clutter pays off big time in the long run. Don’t hesitate to call in a trusted garage junk removal service to make the process smoother. By following these tips, you’ll end up with a clutter-free garage and plenty of space for what really counts.