If you’re lucky enough to have a garage, you know how valuable that extra storage space can be; but remember this: not for home purpose everything. It’s time to let the garage become a collector for household items, equipment you no longer use, empty boxes and the like. Make this the year you get Garage in top shape Take note of 12 key items you should remove from this area immediately, according to Southern organizers and lifestyle experts.

Hardware for Vintage Hobbies

Maybe you or someone in your household was super into tennis or woodworking for a while, but those hobbies have faded away. If that’s the case, it’s time to throw away the relevant hardware! “Garages can become a purgatory for items you don’t really want anymore but can’t seem to let go of,” explains owner Jessie Carrillo. A Charming House In Dallas, Texas. “It’s also easy to fall into the trap of hiding everything because even if it’s not right now, it might be useful one day.” But he urges individuals to devote garage space “to serving the activities for which you currently spend your time.”

Project Parts You Don’t Need

On a related note, it’s time to part with any furniture or other household items you bought with plans to renovate but have never touched. Chitra Swygard says, “Goodbye, chairs I could never put together” Arranged with Beauty in Richmond, Virginia. “Ask yourself how likely it is that you will actually complete this task.”

Extra Shovel

“Realize you can only use one at a time,” says Swygard. “Maybe there will be someone to help you in the garden or in the snow. Keep what you will use legitimately, throw away the rest.”

outdated electronics

Technology is always changing, and if you’ve ever found yourself with a pile of old electronics in the garage, Amanda Bernal of Peace Part Home Services He wants you to leave these items. “Donate them or recycle them properly,” the Helotes, Texas, organizer says of VCRs, DVD players, laptops and the like. Swygard adds: “You’re hesitant to get rid of your personal information because it’s there? Take out the hard drive!”

Clothing and Shoes

Your garage should in no way function as an extension of your closet. Bernal notes that clothes and shoes stored there are susceptible to mold or infestation. “It’s time to find them a new home.” Use this as an opportunity to go through clothing and gear and part with items you’ve been holding onto for no reason. “You can certainly keep keepsakes like your child’s first baseball glove or your baby’s first blanket, but you can throw away the rest,” says Orlando, Florida lifestyle expert. Bianca Dottin.

Food and Beverages

Garage should not provide service glorified pantry“The ideal location for your food and beverage stock is in a climate-controlled area,” Bernal explains. “Although most canned foods can withstand high temperatures for short periods of time, changes in temperature can affect the quality of your food and beverages.” Create a storage area in the basement instead.

Paper-work

Bernal notes that you never want to risk losing your important documents due to environmental factors such as moisture, heat and pests. “Keep important documents in a safe, climate-controlled area,” he advises. “Shredder or throw away all other outdated paperwork.”

Cardboard Boxes

While you’re dealing with your paper pile, try to eliminate cardboard boxes as well. “These attract insects and rodents,” says Jenna Fischer. Regulated Housing In Raleigh, North Carolina. “Often when stored in the garage for long periods of time they attract dust and dirt and are no longer clean for use.”

Alexia Ford Passion Regulation In Alpharetta, Georgia, he agrees and recommends parting ways with boxes you no longer need. Doing so “increases organization, cleanliness, safety and sustainability,” he says. “It creates a more functional and enjoyable space while reducing potential hazards and minimizing your ecological footprint.”

old paint

Unless you plan to touch half-full paint cans anytime soon, don’t keep them in your garage. “Let’s be real, no one uses this,” says Libby Huffines. Libby and Tags In Dallas, Texas. “Check with your city to see if there is a local hazardous waste collection facility for easy disposal.” If you find you need to have some spare paint on hand, follow this tip from Katie Savage. Mavi Pen Home Page. “Put aside the paint you need for your home right now; take photos of the labels and create a folder on a device/paper to save them,” says the Memphis, Tennessee-based organizer. “If the paint is in good condition and you have a significant amount, plan to store it.”

Old House Parts

Huffines says you’ll probably never need these little pieces, either. “Whether the previous owners left the clutter for you or you recently replaced your light fixtures and license plate covers, you won’t need (or really want to use) those old pieces again, so go ahead and throw them away. ”

Now building materials can also go to the garage; Think tile, wood, flooring, mortar and cement. Realistically, you won’t need one of these items, let alone 15 of them,” says Allison. Flinn of Undo In Raleigh, North Carolina. “Make room in the garage by moving them to the attic or other storage area,” or donate them to a charity like Habitat for Humanity, he suggests.

Exercise Equipment

The garage shouldn’t serve as your home gym, even though it may seem like a smart idea at first. “The garage is a popular place to store exercise equipment because it has a lot of floor space, but therein lies the problem…you’ve lost your floor space,” Flinn comments. “Get those weights out of the garage so you can get your car in,” the professional organizer adds.

Real Trash Can

If it is garbage, it should be thrown in the trash, not the garage! “Garages collect all sorts of things that don’t go in the bin,” says Kate Waldo Jones. Orchid ArrangementServing Atlanta, Athens, and Savannah, Georgia, as well as Pensacola, Florida. “Add a bin to your garage for clean, recyclable items,” he suggests. “Then empty boxes, paper towels, plastic wrap, extra grocery bags, etc. Make it a habit to throw away.”