7 Things to Declutter From Your Garage After Winter

Cardboard boxes placed on a floor some open and some closed — Credit:
Arman Zhenikeyev / Getty Images

A well-organized garage doesn't just leave you space to park your car—it can also allow you easy access to all the gear and tools you use in spring, summer, and fall, such as bikes and rollerblades, tennis rackets and basketballs, landscaping tools and gardening equipment.

But during the winter, when you need those items less frequently, it's all too easy for your garage to collect random items that get in the way come spring. Outgrown toys, boxes of books destined for the library's donation pile, extra holiday decorations, and out-of-season clothes. All of these items make it difficult to utilize a valuable garage footprint.

Reclaim this essential storage area by decluttering your garage—donating, disposing of, or relocating these items—so you can make the most of a tidy space.

Melissa Witulski, director of training and brand standards at Merry Maids
Mike Mushinski, president of custom organizing and flooring provider at GarageExperts

Household Paint

Interior paint lasts longest when stored in a conditioned space—not an uninsulated garage. "Old paint cans don't belong in garages because extreme heat and cold can make the paint separate and spoil," says Melissa Witulski, director of training and brand standards at Merry Maids. "Metal cans also tend to rust on concrete floors, which can leave permanent stains. If the paint is still good, move it to a temperature-controlled spot such as a basement. If it’s chunky or dried out, check your local rules for disposal; many towns have special drop-off days for hazardous household liquids."

Cleaners and Chemicals

Half-empty bottles of cleaners, household chemicals, and other hazardous materials should be stored inside, says Mike Mushinski, president of the custom organizing and flooring provider GarageExperts. "Garages are magnets for leftover chemicals, but they’re actually one of the worst places to store them. Between the summer heat and the winter chill, those containers break down and can become pretty nasty," he says.

Books and Papers

The garage can be a catchall for items you no longer have use for but don't want to get rid of, such as school papers, old photos, and beloved books. But the climate in your garage isn't suitable for paper items, as the humidity can cause them to degrade. Plus, these keepsakes take up space that could be used for things you actually use, such as sports equipment or gardening tools. Witulski recommends going through these items and discarding what you no longer need or donating books to a local library or shelter.

If you want to keep these items, Witulski says to store them in plastic bins, not cardboard boxes. "Storing cardboard boxes in a garage attracts pests like silverfish and mice that nest in the fibers and glue," she says.

Extra Tools

Whether you're stocking gardening tools, car-repair gear, or woodworking essentials, it's easy to let your garage go from organized to chaotic without regular decluttering. Devote the last few weeks of winter to reviewing your tool collection, keeping only the pieces in good condition and setting aside duplicates to give away. "My rule is simple: if it’s usable but you don’t use it, donate it. If it’s broken beyond repair, stop looking at it and get it to a recycler. You’ll be amazed at how much room you actually have once the 'dead weight' is gone," says Mushinski.

Outgrown Toys

Scooters, ride-on toys, climbers, and sandboxes may have entertained your little ones for hours in previous summers, but they can take up valuable space in a garage as your kids trade toddler toys for treehouses and two-wheelers. "Outdoor toys and gear are often made of plastic, which can become brittle and crack when exposed to freezing winters and hot summer sun," says Witulski. "Once the plastic is damaged, these items can actually become a safety hazard."

She recommends donating usable toys that your kids have outgrown and tossing anything beyond repair. "Local churches, preschools, or neighborhood groups are usually happy to receive durable play equipment that has been cleared out of storage," Witulski says.

Old Hobby Equipment

Don't let your garage become a shrine to old activities: a space filled with roller blades, baseball gloves, hockey sticks, and deflated basketballs. "If you are a family with active kids, the garage can become a museum of outgrown bikes, sports gear, and old golf clubs gathering dust," says Mushinski. Instead, be pragmatic about your family's current needs and interests. "If you’ve skipped two seasons of a hobby, it’s time to donate," he says. "This one tends to sneak up on people because of the natural reluctance to separate from perfectly usable gear that was likely also expensive. The more realistic you are about future use, the less cluttered your garage will be."

Take the time to find a home for any items stored on the floor. "If you have a minor spill (like an oil leak from a car or a tipped-over jug of coolant), anything on the floor is immediately ruined or contaminated," says Mushinski. On unsealed garage floors, ground moisture also collects under bins and boxes, "leading to rusted metal, moldy cardboard, and rot," he adds. If floor-to-ceiling shelves aren't an option, consider a small shelf instead.

Holiday Decorations

Like plastic toys and old paint, holiday decorations can also fall victim to rapid wear and tear when stored in an uninsulated garage. Take the time to edit your collection—donate what you no longer use and discard anything that's broken over the years. "Holiday gear is maybe the biggest space-hog because we only need it once a year, yet it usually takes up the most accessible floor space," says Mushinski. "It’s a total waste of prime real estate. Since you aren't reaching for those lights anytime soon, put them into bins, label them, and get them off the ground. Whether it’s overhead shelving or a dedicated cabinet, getting that stuff out of your way is a total game-changer for the garage's flow."

7 Things to Declutter From Your Garage After Winter, According to Organizing Experts