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7 Steps To A Summer Yard Sale

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Filed Under: Garage, Organizing, Summer

Put Together A Yard Sale to Declutter & Organize Your Home

Summer break may have just started, but before you know it, you will be back to school shopping.  After such a long break, our homes usually beg for a big decluttering and organizing session.

Mid or late summer is a great time to check what can go and what can stay, replenish the drawers and rotate the warmer clothes out of storage areas.

Having a summer yard sale is a great way to declutter and to generate some extra cash for those “special” items the kids may be asking for.

Here are some tips to help you organize a summer yard sale and in the process, declutter your home in preparation for the new season ahead.

Where To Start

  • Begin the process by making lists– by going from room to room in the house and quickly listing the items you don’t want anymore. Think about clothing items that don’t fit or that you don’t like. Household goods like that extra set of dishes or those pots and pans that Aunt Tilly gave you that you didn’t want might sell quickly for reasonable prices in a yard sale.

 

  • Next, visit your kids’ rooms. Do they have clothing they’ve outgrown that are still in decent shape? Maybe they’ve got toys they don’t play with anymore. Items like toys, games, and clothing that are in good shape but kids have grown out of can be great candidates for yard sales. Children’s clothing and toys tend to sell well, so you’ll make a few extra dollars for school shopping on those items.

 

  • Next stop – the garage. Have you been placing boxes of stuff out there that you don’t know what to do with? An upcoming yard sale is a great time to go through the boxes and do a quick sort to get rid of the items you can live without.

 

  • Next, getting ready– A yard sale has almost no cost to it, just a bit of labor. Launder all clothing and make sure you wash any household items or knick-knacks. If you want to sell your items quickly, plus get top dollar for your back to school purchases, avoid displaying broken or dusty objects. You might want to pay a few dollars for stick-on pricing tags or group items by price in different tables. If not, use a roll of masking tape to write the prices and place on the objects to be sold.

7 steps to organize a summer yard sale to declutter and organize your home for back to school time! Organize a summer yard sale to clean out your rooms and garage and earn you dollars for those back to school supplies and clothing that your kids need as you prepare your kids to return to school!

Getting The Word Out

If you advertise your yard sale in the local newspaper, you’ll most likely pay a small fee. Advertising can pay off, though, as avid “yard-sale shoppers” devote their weekends to driving from yard sale to yard sale advertised in the newspaper. Put it on Craigslist, too.

In a well-trafficked area, you only need to put out a couple of signs directing people to your residence. 

Plan on having your yard sale over two days – Friday and Saturday are ideal since most people are off from work and driving around for errands and can see your street signs.

7 steps to organize a summer yard sale to declutter and organize your home for back to school time! Organize a summer yard sale to clean out your rooms and garage and earn you dollars for those back to school supplies and clothing that your kids need as you prepare your kids to return to school!
Free Download – Click to Access

 

 

7 Steps To Having A Summer Yard Sale

1. Do a walk-through of your home and list items you want to sell. Bring a laundry basket or bags to help you start collecting.

2. Check the garage. Sort through boxes, separating the items to put in your yard sale.

3. Wash clothing and clean items to be sold.

4. Buy stick-on price tags or a roll of masking tape and price your items.

5. Advertise in your local paper and online at Craigslist if you like.

6. Put up signs in your neighborhood, directing potential buyers to your home.

7. Use the profits from your yard sale for back to school purchases.

Having a summer yard sale will not only clean out your rooms and garage, but it’ll also earn you dollars for those back to school supplies and clothing that your kids need. Who knows, your yard sale profits may be all the money you need to prepare your kids to return to school!

 

Clear The Clutter From Your Garage One Pile At A Time

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Filed Under: Garage, Organizing

My 5 Best Garage Organization Tips

Here are my best garage organization tips to take your garage from piles to smiles!

Why are so many garages disorganized?

Garages are usually the catch-all space of a home — the “everything drawer”  of all the other rooms of the house. It’s filled with all variety of items- from tools to old paint, to holiday decorations. Garages become increasingly disorganized over time and because of all the clutter, most families can’t even park their car in their home’s garage.

A lot of families struggle to keep the garage organized for several reasons. First, a lot of garages don’t lend themselves toward order. In fact, they have a lot in common with your typical storage unit: they are not heated or air-conditioned and have little if any, storage solutions like shelves or racks.

Second, the garage is a shared space. When a particular family member “owns” a space in your home, like a bedroom, it’s easy to assign the chore of cleanup. But shared spaces can be a little bit tricky- “who is responsible for this mess anyway?”  It’s easy to form the habit of just tossing an item in the garage, or setting it by the door with the intention of putting it where it belongs later rather than placing it in its designated place. Now that we are aware of the major problems that we face in this space, let’s get started with these organizing tips that will turn your garage back into the useful space it was intended to be.

garage organizing

 

1. Garage Organization Tips: Schedule Time To Organize

If your garage is a jumble of tools, old toys, sporting equipment, and trash, it’s a good idea to schedule a weekend for a major cleaning. Put it on the family calendar and host a yard sale — spring is always a good season for major organizing.

2. Garage Organization Tips: Start With The Big Stuff

When you’re ready to get started, take any large, moveable items out. This includes lawn mowers and large tools. Of course, if you’ve managed to squeeze a car or two into your garage, park that outside temporarily as well. It’s easier to clean up without large objects in your way.

Tackle the big items first: bicycles, sporting good equipment, yard tools, etc. Put them where they belong. If something needs to be tossed out or donated, do it. There’s no sense in hanging on to items you don’t want or never use. If something needs to be repaired, affix a tag or piece of tape on it indicating such and take care of it later.

Once you’ve sorted and stored the big stuff, you can start decluttering your smaller items.

3. Garage Organization Tips: Grouping Like with Like

If there’s anything on the floor, put it on a counter or shelf. If the shelves are in complete disarray, spend no more than a few minutes organizing them.

 

The best approach is putting like items together. For example, if you have five cans of paint on the floor and an empty shelf, put all the paint cans on that shelf. Put productivity ahead of perfection. Every item doesn’t have to be perfectly labeled and sorted to be organized. You just want to be able to find items and replace items in your garage quickly (and safely). If at a later date you’d like to do a more thorough sorting and labeling, you can.

 

 

4. Garage Organization Tips: Get Everyone Involved

If your husband (or wife) is handy and has a ton of tools, it may be a good idea to give him a plan for decluttering. Allow him to clean and organize his tools. It’s win-win: he’ll still be able to find his tools with ease and you don’t have to worry about breaking any of his equipment. Larger tools should be given specific space on tables, shelves or the floor. Smaller tools can be stored in boxes, bins or clear jars. Cabinets are ideal in a garage because you can quickly stash things out of sight. They are also a good place to put anything hazardous. Either lock the cabinet or put items on high shelves so small children won’t be able to reach them.

5. Garage Organization Tips: Small Steps Count

However, you don’t have to complete a major overhaul to make progress. If your garage has some level of order — you generally know where things should go — then a 15-minute decluttering can make a huge difference. Progress adds up over time and soon enough you’ll be able to park your car in your garage again!

The most organized garages are those in which everything has a place. It could be on a wall, on a shelf, in a cabinet or in a designated floor area. It’s helpful to label each area so that when you do a 15-minute decluttering, you know where everything goes. (This is especially true if you have family or friends helping out.)

6. Garage Organization Tips: Commit to a Plan

If you’d like to overhaul your garage but are short on time, schedule 15-minute blocks of time each week for the next few months. You’ll be amazed at how much decluttering you can accomplish with a plan to tackle specific areas. Oh, and don’t forget to park your car in your freshly organized garage!

 

Garage Organizing Products

Bulk storage & Gardening Tools

Shop bulk? Here is the extra storage you needed.

Tools Organizer

From hammer to nails, a place for it all

Garage Organizing Solutions

Bike, tools, cords and more.

 

Don’t Have a Mudroom? No Problem!

This stand-alone unit will create a mudroom in your garage in no time. Great solution for renters.

Organize Your tools, paints and every little thing.

Keep all you need to take off and land from daily activities with this easy Elfa solution.

Keep the toys in place

This simple mesh bag will keep all the balls in place and easily reachable

 

Control the chaos: 5 steps to organize your garage

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Filed Under: Garage, Organizing

Garage Organizing Tips

The garage is often the last place to be organized in a home. Much like many families have an “everything drawer” in the kitchen or home office, many garages end up serving as the “everything room” of the home.

CONTROL THE CHAOS: 5 STEPS TO ORGANIZING YOUR GARAGE - Elfa system - organize garage
Garages hold a seemingly endless list of household goods:

 

What’s missing? Your car!

Countless families are unable to park their car in their home’s garage because of all the clutter. Yet, a car is one of the biggest expenses for any household — it’s usually the second largest investment after a home mortgage. When you store your car in a garage, you help preserve the quality of its paint by protecting it from the elements: snow, ice, storms, bird droppings, etc. In addition, the vehicle’s fluids, such as the oil and coolant, will remain warmer in a garage and prevent long-term damage to the engine.

If that’s not enough to convince you to declutter your garage, think about how wonderful it would be to add roughly 500 square feet to your home — for free. Even if your garage isn’t heated or cooled, you can still utilize the space for activities beyond storage. Every bit of clutter that you don’t want prevents you from fully enjoying your home. A clutter-free garage could be used as a home gym, laundry room or craft area by simply clearing the space.

Here’s how you can organize and declutter your garage

1. Plan Ahead

Tackle storage first. List out categories or “families” of objects that you’d like to store. Here are a few ideas to help you get started:

  • Luggage
  • Sports equipment
  • Bikes
  • Camping gear
  • Tools
  • Paint and chemicals
  • Holiday decorations

2. Visualize

Unless your garage is too packed for this step, look around and take in the space and imagine where things could go. Think about access and how easily you’d like to be able to retrieve specific things. It’s a good idea to place commonly used items nearest to the door or near an exit. For example, you may want to store household tools like a hammer and nails beside the door leading into the house. However, items that are used frequently, but are typically dirty or only used outdoors — lawn mowers, bikes, and sporting equipment — can be stored next to an exterior door or the garage door.

Is your garage packed to the brim? Go to Step 3 and then come back here.

3. Remove the Clutter

Now that you have a plan in mind, it’s time to get started with the organizing process. The first step is to sort through the items already in the garage and get rid of everything that’s damaged or unwanted. Depending on its quality, items can be donated, sold or simply thrown away. To make the process faster, carry a heavy-duty trash bag with you as you move around the space. If the weather is nice, open the garage door and utilize your driveway or lawn to remove everything from the garage. The clearer the space, the easier it will be to visualize, organize and return items to their new home.

4. Identify and Label Storage Areas

Once everything has been removed from your garage, clean, take detailed measurements and draw a rough sketch of the space. Use the categories you decided on to label shelving and floor space for specific categories or items. Use masking tape and permanent market to create clear labels so your family members will always be able to tell where an item should go.

5. Purchase the Correct Supplies

Wait until your garage is clear before you go to the store and buy storage containers or other items. That way, you’ll save money by only purchasing the things you really need. I suggest clear storage bins for most household goods because you’ll be able to quickly spot what you need. Label each bin carefully as well as the shelf or area on which it’s stored. Take full advantage of vertical space. In room permits, install racks along the walls to hold large bins, suitcases, bikes and other items.

Finally, be patient. Remember, decluttering and organizing a garage is a huge project. A garage that’s about half-full will take around 15–20 hours of work. If you can’t do everything in one day, break the job up into multiple parts.

 

De-Clutter Your Home

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Filed Under: Clutter & Declutter, Garage, Organizing

Let Go: Say So Long to Clutter

 

Is your clutter getting on your nerves? It might be time to clean out the chaos and let the stuff you no longer need go to a thrift store near you.

It’s good to go through this process more than once a year, but here’s a list of commonly stockpiled items that may need to be spring-cleaned out of your home and into the life of someone who will give that old mug or T-shirt a good, new life.

 

clutter

 

Books

Like many things that we hold onto, books can take on sentimental meaning and are hard to let go of, even if they’re bad books. But what about the ones you’ve had for five years that you’ve been “meaning to read?” Even if you have read them, wouldn’t it be great to donate these gems so another lucky soul can obtain them for a bargain and be enlightened, too? Stick to the rule that if there’s not enough space in the bookshelves you already have, then you may need to part with a book or ten, especially if they’ve been on the to-do reading list for more than a couple of years!

 

clutter

 

Magazines

Yes, we know: those cooking magazines have the key recipes that will one day turn you into a domestic god/goddess. And that pile of Architectural Digests could collectively be responsible for building your dream home one day. But let’s be real, OK? Thanks to the internet, the knowledge that a 2004 issue of The New Yorker can impart isn’t lost by tossing it in the recycling bin or donating it to charity. If you haven’t consumed it in the first month of receiving it, you probably won’t do it next month, either. Or the next. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to toss the junk mail along with those magazine subscriptions.

 

clutter

 

Clothes

A rule of thumb for ladies and gents alike: two years unworn, and it goes in the thrift store bag, or bags. And what about those unmatched socks? Imagine a world without sifting through until you find a mate. Kids clothes need to go too — and though it is understandably hard to give away your child’s belongings, surely you can think of a friend that could really use them. Even if you’re saving them for your own hand-me-downs, know that the favor will more than likely be returned one day if or when your next kid comes along.

 

clutter

 

Shoes

It’s not uncommon for people to attach souls to their soles. But imagine it like this: those long-forgotten shoes could be rediscovered in a thrift store by new eyes who will love them all over again in a different place and give them new memories. Let someone else have their fun and walk a mile in your shoes, while you make room for the next pair you know you’ll wind up with sooner than later. And stop hanging on to every pair of running shoes you’ve ever owned and every broken-heeled shoe, too. If your shoe-shop pile can fill a large box, it’s time to go ahead and carry it to the nearest donation drop box.

 

clutter

 

Kitchenwares

Though you may be a big fan of coffee, does one human really need that many mugs? See what you can live without and gently place the rest in a soon-to-depart thrift store box. While you’re at it, have a look through the rest of the drawers and cabinets. Do you own duplicate appliances? When you acquire something new, do away with the old. Ten spatulas are about as useful as two fondue sets. If it’s a gift you’re feeling guilty about discarding, remember you can apply the two-year rule to unneeded presents, too. No one who cares enough to give you something would want you to guilt yourself into keeping it on the top of a shelf forever.

 

clutter

 

Garagewares

The garage, or shed, is the place where stuff can really pile up, so give yours a thorough sweep, and soon. How many years must one hang onto a half-empty can of paint before it’s deemed disposable? You can bet that as it sits collecting dust, someone else is scouring a thrift store searching for that very shade. And while you’re in there, consider eliminating any extra or broken tools that are useless to you now. Donating them will make a thrift-store digger out there one happy shopper.

 

clutter

 

Remember to donate to a charity thrift store that you believe in, as this always makes you feel less sentimental about your things, and you’ll leave with a sense that you’ve accomplished a lot for both yourself as well as others. And don’t forget the donation receipt either: it’ll come in handy come tax time. Good luck, and have fun with your newfound extra space.

What’s the first thing you’ll be donating?

 

Garret Stembridge is part of the team at Extra Space Storage, a leading provider of self-storage facilities. Garret often writes about storage and organization topics for homes and for businesses.

Spring cleaning: your car will love it!

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Filed Under: Garage, Organizing, Spring Cleaning

Spring Cleaning Your Car

Your car is your second largest asset! Use these tips to keep it in tip top shape.

Spring cleaning isn’t exclusive to houses. Vehicles are often left neglected in the seasonal cleaning frenzy. But don’t overlook your car — it has just taken a frosty beating during winter, from enduring constant freezing and thawing to trekking through corrosive road salt and whatever other winter-related afflictions abound. This spring season, give your car a little TLC.

Interior

If you have to wade through trash to reach the backseat, it’s time for a thorough interior car cleaning. Even if you don’t treat your car like a trash can, subtle accumulation of dust and dirt occurs. Drive to a gas station or car wash to use the free vacuum cleaners. Shake out the filthy floor mats, and meticulously push the vacuum crevice tool into every space it will fit.

Head over to the auto store to pick up cleaners to target your car’s specific interior materials. Deep clean the upholstery and carpet, condition the leather and renew plastic surfaces. Polish the windshield and glass with a car-specific glass cleaner — household cleaners will leave behind cloudy streaks. To get in the nooks and crannies you’ll need a can of condensed air. Spray your dashboard to remove the dusty detritus from vents, crevices and the console. For the finishing touch, hang a scented air freshener over your rear-view mirror.

Tires

The condition of your tires affects your car’s gas mileage and ability to successfully brake. By keeping tires inflated to the appropriate pressure, gas mileage can be boosted by three percent or more, according to CBSNews.com. Abraham Lincoln will assist you in determining your tires’ condition with the penny test. Insert a penny into your tire tread: if the treads slip short of reaching Lincoln’s head, your car is rolling on four precarious sheets of rubber and must be replaced on the double.

If you live in a four-season climate, you likely use all-season tires. Before the days of all-season tires, drivers owned two sets: a winter set and a summer set. Today’s “summer” tires, according to Edmunds.com, are marketed as performance and high performance tires. Summer tires are designed to grip the road in warmer climates, while winter versions contain rubber that is designed to grip in icy conditions. BF Goodrich’s g-force tires are marketed as “ultra high performance” and do well in dry and wet weather and on cars built for speed. According to tire chain Discount Tire, these tires can be used all year around, but they don’t give optimal performance in the winter. Drivers would be better off with a winter tire in winter conditions. Winter tires should not be driven all year because they are made of a softer rubber, which will break down faster if driven in warm weather. 

Automotive Bathing

You’re on the road enough, so why not make your car gleam? Unreel the hose and wash off the remnants of the salty winter. Compounded road salt builds up in the wheel wells and the car’s undercarriage, so target those areas first. Along with the salt, tree sap, bug spatter and chemical pollutants threaten your car’s paint job. Drive your car into a shaded area away from direct UV rays; otherwise, water and wax will dry rapidly and leave behind unsightly spots. Slather your car with car-specific soap, slip on a lambs wool or microfiber wash mitt and go to town. Dry your vehicle with a chamois or synthetic fiber cloth.

Miscellaneous Parts

Winter isn’t kind to windshield wipers. In winter, they’re often encased in ice which wreaks havoc on the wiper motor. The blades’ rubber will gradually wear as well. Inspect them carefully and determine if they need to be replaced.

AOL.com suggests applying a small amount of petroleum-based lubricant in squeaky doors and creaking trunk hinges. Use graphite lubricant on the locks.

Does wind noise seem to flow into your car on the highway or does the rain slip in through closed windows? Inspect the weather stripping around the windows and replace cracked and brittle strips straight away.

Did I convince you to do some spring cleaning in your car? I hope so! It will pay off and you’ll have the pleasure of driving a “like new” car!

Have a great week.

Helena

Paint, not Pain! Garage Organizing Tips

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Filed Under: Garage, Organizing

Garage Organizing – Paint

Keeping Track of Paint, Colors & Rooms

You have done your garage organizing but if you have painted your home you have them: cans, gallons and samples of paint in every shade and color of the rainbow! And even if you have all of them stored safely in your garage, if you ever had to give a wall a quick touch-up maybe you’d have to open all of them to figure out which one would go on that wall, right?

Well, don’t worry because we all have done it and I’ll show you how to take care of the paint when you keep it, how to never paint a blue wall green and if you decide to let go of them, how to safely and environmentally friendly discard them!

Keeping Records of Your Paint

If you have painted the whole house in one single color then it will be a lot easier, but if like many families you have experimented with colors in different areas of your home, then you’ll need a way of keeping track of the colors to avoid confusion when you need to do simple touch-up or order more of that color.

Here are some simple ways of doing it and never again getting frustrated in the corner of your garage!

Create a simple record with accessible materials: paint stirrers, each of your colors, a permanent marker, a brush, something to protect your floor or working surface and a twine or strong thread to keep them together.

  1. Get enough paint stirrers for each of your paint colors at the hardware store.
  2. With a permanent marker write the color brand, name, reference number and the room where it was used on the tip of the stirrer
  3. With a brush paint, each stirrer with its color or just dip it in the can.
  4. Let it dry and finally
  5. Tie all the stirrers together and store them in a safe place – either in the garage with the paint cans or your office – home management center

 

Easy does it!

 

Another simple way to keep track of the paint color used in a specific space is to write the paint brand, color name, swatch number on a piece of painter’s tape for quick reference and attach it to the back of an electric outlet cover. You can even add the amount of paint you used in that room for future reference!

 

Secrets revealed!

 

Now, if you want to go a little fancier you can explore this great product that you can keep forever with you! It’s called My Color Keeper, and it works as a memory keeper of all the colors used in your home, and you can find it through the website or in the paint section of your store.

PAINT COLOR RECORD

  • Twelve cards hold paint samples and information on your home’s room and trim colors.
  • Information on card simplifies paint purchases for touchups or later repainting.
  • Slips into your pocket or purse when shopping for furniture, fabrics, and home accessories.
  • Cards quickly scanned by color scanners for computer matching.
  • All your colors in one place. Makes it easy to work with painters or decorators.
  • Give to your painter or decorator. Provides them with a convenient way to leave you with information on your home’s interior and exterior painted surfaces.
  • Never lose that unique paint color.
  • Remove cards as needed.

And finally, if you have a tiny ammount of paint left in each can, simple store them in small, labeled plastic containers with the same information:

  • Brand name
  • Color name
  • Color reference
  • Room used

 

If you are doing some garage organizing or not, I hope this post helps you keep track of the paint in your garage and makes it easier for you to find what you need, when you need it!

To your success!

Have a beautiful day, be joyous and tackle that garage!

Helena