How Often Should You Declutter Your Garage? We Asked Pro Organizers

The time to take out camping gear, pool floaties, and patio furniture has arrived, but finding those summer essentials usually means digging through dreaded piles of garage clutter. Luckily, organizing experts say summer is actually one of the best times to schedule that much-needed decluttering session, thanks to the warmer weather and longer daylight hours.

And when we asked the pros to spill on how often you should declutter a garage, they had the exact same answer.

How Often You Should Declutter Your Garage

Although creating the perfect decluttering schedule for inside the home can vary depending on the size of your space and household, all of our pros agree: when it comes to the garage, at least twice a year—ideally at the start of summer and winter—is the way to go.

“It’s important (and often necessary) to declutter the garage periodically, especially as seasons change,” professional organizer Amélie Saint-Jacques says. “Summer means we need easier access to gardening tools and pool toys, but in winter, it might be de-icing salt and a shovel. Plus, the sports equipment our family might need also varies by season.”

Want more cleaning and organizing tips? Sign up for our free daily newsletter for the latest hacks, expert advice, and more!

7 Things You Can Definitely Get Rid of in Your Garage

While there are sure to be plenty of surprises found during your garage decluttering session, there are some items our experts say should always be thrown away, donated, or stored elsewhere.

• Throw away old cans of paint, especially shades no longer on the walls of your home.
• Donate or dispose of any DIY supplies, old furniture, or damaged items you’ve been planning to use, repair, or upcycle for over a year.
• Recycle excessive shipping or packing supplies beyond a few flattened boxes.
• Give (or throw) away holiday and party hosting supplies like large dishes, paper plates and cups, or decor pieces that haven’t been touched in the past year.
• Donate duplicate tools or pieces of equipment you find during the decluttering process.
• Temperature, water, and dust-sensitive items, such as electronics, photos, books, and important documents should be brought inside.
• Plastic pieces of sports or camping gear that could warp, melt, or damage in hot or cold weather should also be stored indoors.

Why Garages Become Cluttered Easily

Much like our basements, under-home storage areas, and attics, garages become a catch-all area for everything that doesn’t belong in the home, but we’re also not ready to part with.

According to professional organizer Reba Bassett, once old furniture, clothing, and junk start to pile up, we get into a cycle that discourages us from going in the garage at all, let alone decluttering it.

“Garages tend to get so cluttered because we spend so little time in there,” she explains. “It’s a convenient place to store things instead of making a decision about whether to keep them, but this creates a snowball effect where we start to avoid being in the garage since it makes us so uncomfortable.”

How to Keep Your Garage Organized for Longer

The key to keeping a garage organized until your next biannual decluttering session is setting up a system that makes sense with clear categories, and storing your most frequently-used tools and items within easy reach.

“Create an inspiring storage area by having a professional install cabinets, putting up shelving, or buying moveable garage shelving depending on the amount of space you have, organization pro Sajel Parekh says. “This is a great way to create a place for everything, and will also help you know at a glance what you have.”

The same way your house has zones, your garage can—and should—too.

“The best strategy is to have zones for each category of item, and establish homes for all your things,” Bassett adds. “Finding the right storage system— like wall mounts for bikes or lawn tools— will help you remember where to put things, and you’ll be more likely to keep up organization in the long run.

5 Tips for Decluttering a Garage

• Dedicate a full weekend to your first garage declutter to avoid feeling overwhelmed or overworked.
• Make sure the garage door is open to keep air circulating, and consider wearing gloves and a mask to prevent dust irritation.
• Both Parekh and Bassett say emptying out item in your garage onto the floor and driveway is key. This gives plenty of space to create clear categories, and more easily identify what to donate or throw away.
• Bassett encourages researching donation drop-off points and booking a dumpster in advance of starting your decluttering session.
• Saint-Jacuqes recommends using the 20/20 rule, and disposing of any item you haven’t used in over a year, and would cost less than $20 or take under 20 minutes to replace.