Decluttering Your Garage: The Ultimate Guide

• Start by taking everything out
• Don’t delay repairs
• Clean from the top down
• Designate the space for a specific use
• Maximize vertical space
• Consider resale value

Start by taking everything out

You can’t properly clean the nooks and crannies of your garage without removing all the clutter. This is also a chance for you to take inventory of everything in your garage, and get rid of what you no longer need. If you feel a sentimental attachment to items that you know you won’t use, consider thoughtful ways of rehoming them as opposed to simply throwing them away or leaving them to take up space in your garage.

Most items in working condition will gladly be accepted by local donation centers. But, you can also start closer to home. While you’ve got everything out, ask your friends, family, and neighbors if they’d like to stop by and claim anything you’re looking to rehome. Alternatively, a classic yard sale can provide the same function while also bringing in some spare cash. Win-win.

Don’t delay repairs

As you’re decluttering your garage, you may find areas that need repair. Whether it’s spackling a hole in the wall or fixing that glitch in the garage door, don’t wait to fix problems big or small. Make repairs while the damaged areas are easily accessible and not blocked by clutter.

Clean from the top down

This one is simple physics. Any dust and grime you displace while cleaning will inevitably make its way down, so save yourself the trouble of recleaning lower areas by starting from the top. Floors should be the last thing you clean.

Designate the space for a specific use

One of the biggest reasons our garages get so cluttered is that they often default to a catch-all for anything we’re not sure where to put. And while traditionally the answer to “What should I use my garage for?” might be obvious—cars, right?—in reality, most households will need the extra space for other purposes.

To help declutter your garage, you’ll need to narrow down those purposes. Is it primarily storage? Then consider investing in a full organization system to maximize the space. Is it your home gym? Prioritize placing equipment where you need it, and find somewhere else for your odds and ends to live. Whatever you want your primary use for the garage to be, declutter and reorganize with that at the top of your mind. Having a clear goal will make the decisions of what to keep and where to put what’s left infinitely easier.

Maximize vertical space

Especially if your garage is serving multiple functions, you’ll need all the space you can get. The walls are your friends here. Maximize vertical storage space with shelves and hooks to keep as much of the floor clear as possible for larger items that can’t be stored vertically.

Consider resale value

Understandably, no one is eager to drop a significant chunk of change on decluttering a garage. And if a thorough cleaning is all that’s in your budget this time around, that’s absolutely fine! However, any home upgrades you make to your garage—such as installing a new storage system, replacing flooring, or even a fresh coat of paint—can increase your home’s value. 

That means not only could you make money back when you sell your home, but you could also find yourself with more home equity. That home equity can be leveraged for new rates, better terms, or even cash out when you refinance your mortgage. 

Pro Tip: Your home loan can also finance your home upgrades. Check out our renovation loans to learn more.

Decluttering Garage: Bonus Tips

No garage decluttering guide would be complete without some bonus tips. Try these extra strategies to make the most out of your garage spring cleaning efforts:

• Some items, like papers and electronics, need a more temperature-controlled environment than a garage typically offers. Understanding what NOT to store in your garage can go a long way toward preventing clutter (and damage to your belongings).
• Add a floating shelf to the ceiling. In addition to vertical space on your walls, if you have enough room overhead, you can consider installing a durable metal shelf suspended from the ceiling (picture it like an upside-down table). Just make sure you adhere to weight limits and install it with care to prevent any accidents.
• Whether you’re using bins, bags, drawers, or something else to keep things organized, make sure you label everything according to its contents. Not only will it make items easier to find, it will also encourage you to stay organized in the long term.

Any home upgrades you make to your garage—such as installing a new storage system, replacing flooring, or even a fresh coat of paint—can increase your home’s value.

The post Decluttering Your Garage: Spring Cleaning Tips and Tricks appeared first on Cardinal Financial.

The 2023 spring cleaning checklist

There are generally two schools of thought on the best way to tackle your spring cleaning checklist: Room by room or task by task. Both have their pros and cons, but we’d argue that the best approach is actually a hybrid of the two, broken out into three phases (it’s less technical than it sounds). 

• Phase 1: Declutter
  • Room by room, throw out or donate what you don’t want
  • Store winter items out of the way
• Phase 2: Clean
  • Wash bedding
  • Dust and wipe down surfaces
  • Clean baseboards
  • Sweep, mop, and vacuum
• Phase 3: Organize
  • Choose a method that you can maintain all year
  • Utilize vertical space
  • Replace any essentials you threw out in Phase 1

Before you dive in, you’ll want to set aside some moving boxes for items you’re donating, items you’re throwing out, and items that need to be stored for the season. 

Spring Cleaning Phase 1: Declutter

For Phase 1, we recommend the room-by-room approach.

• Bedroom
  • Remove winter clothes from drawers and hangers and place in boxes for storage
  • Place any items in good condition that you no longer want in your donation box
  • Throw out any clothing or decor items you no longer want that can’t be donated
  • Throw out sheets if you’ve been using them for over three years
• Bathroom
  • Throw out expired toiletries and beauty products
  • Throw out (or give to a friend) products you tried but didn’t like that can still be used
  • If your towels and washcloths have seen better days, consider throwing them out
• Kitchen
  • If you have any utensils, towels, or cookware that need to be replaced, throw them out 
  • Donate any unused items (like that fancy blender from your wedding registry that’s never seen the light of day)
  • Throw out expired food from your pantry, fridge, and freezer
  • Donate non-perishable food items if you know you won’t be using them

Not sure what needs to be thrown out? Use the handy chart below as a guide. Just remember, the exact expiration dates will depend on the quality of the item and how much you use it.

Pro Tip: If you’re a bit of a clothes collector, it can be hard narrowing down what to keep and what to get rid of. A good way to keep yourself in check is to buy a set number of clothes hangers and don’t buy more when you run out. Instead, solve the problem by getting rid of clothing items you have, or holding off on purchasing new ones. Hello, closet equilibrium.

Spring Cleaning Phase 2: Clean

In Phase 2, we recommend tackling your checklist by task (dust, sweep, mop, etc.) rather than doing every task in one room, then repeating the list for the next room. When it comes to cleaning, start from the top (literally) and work your way down to avoid dust and grime from higher areas getting swept down onto a surface you already cleaned.

• Strip beds and start the laundry cycle 
• If you have ceiling fans, dust or wipe down the blades
• Clean windows, mirrors, and any other glass surfaces
• Dust and wipe down furniture, shelves, cabinets (inside and out), and counters
• Especially if you have little ones of the fur or human variety, vacuum your furniture
• Wipe down baseboards and molding
• Sweep, mop, and vacuum all rooms
• Place clean bedding back on beds
• Take a nap on that clean bedding, you earned it

Pro Tip: If you want to get really particular about your approach, take out your trash and recycling before you clean the floors. This way, any drips from the garbage bag or dirt you track back in won’t undo all your hard work.

Spring Cleaning Phase 3: Organize

Now that you’ve cleared up space and cleaned your home, it’s time to organize what you have left. This is also the time to replace any essentials that needed to be thrown out, like new cookware or towels. In Phase 3, we recommend going room by room. How you organize is up to you, but here are a few tips for each area.

• Bedroom
  • Utilize vertical space in your closet
  • Get a bedside table with built-in storage
  • Store out-of-season items under your bed
• Bathroom
  • Keep a stylish bin or tray on the bathroom counter to store items you use every day
  • Install a shower caddy
  • Add shelves over the toilet
• Kitchen
  • Add riser shelves inside cabinets
  • Stack towels vertically (like books)
  • Use a caddy for sponges, dish soap, and other sink-side cleaning products

There are a lot of elaborate and aesthetically pleasing organization methods out there, but remember to choose one that you can realistically maintain in the long term. Spring cleaning is all about setting you up for a better homeownership experience for the rest of the year.

Any other spring cleaning tips?

With your spring cleaning checklist squared away, you’ve got all the essentials you need to handle it like a pro. But because we like you, we have a few more spring cleaning tips for you to take or leave before you get started.

• Don’t try to do it all in one day
• Make a physical list that you can check items off of to see your progress
• Gather all the necessary cleaning supplies before you start so you don’t lose momentum making a run to the store
• Recycle as much as possible

Ok, NOW you’re ready to go. Oh, and if your home needs more than a thorough cleaning to feel refreshed, renovation loans could help you finance upgrades like new floors, fresh paint, and new appliances. The more you know.

With the right spring cleaning tips, you’ll be ready to make your house feel like home for the season in no time.

The post The Essential 2023 Spring Cleaning Checklist appeared first on Cardinal Financial.

Emerge from winter’s icy grasp with arms (and windows) wide open. When you feel that first warm day, who doesn’t get bit by the cleaning bug? There are so many ways you can embrace the warmth of spring in your home when you use our spring cleaning checklist!

Kitchen

Bedrooms

Bathrooms

All rooms

Entryways

Outdoor

Ready to take on Cardinal Financial’s 30-Day Cleaning Challenge? Share photos of your progress with us on social media!

The post Cardinal Financial’s 30-Day Spring Cleaning Challenge appeared first on Cardinal Financial.

As the weather warms up and the cold days become scarce, seize this opportunity to take on some home projects and make your home a more pleasant place to live.

Spend more time outside

After a long winter spent indoors, get out and get your hands dirty with some outdoor spring home improvement projects. Create an outdoor escape where you can spend warm summer nights by building conversation areas. You could make a firepit and arrange some new patio furniture around it or build an outdoor bar beneath a pergola. Adding items like new patio stones, seating areas, or an outdoor music system are all fun ways to make your backyard the summer gathering place for friends and family. Working with a tight budget? Add smaller touches like lemongrass plants, pool toys (if you have a pool), or yard games like corn hole.

Lower your energy bills

Don’t you love when spring home improvement projects can save you money? Small changes to your home can be environmentally friendly and cost effective at the same time. Things like caulking windows and weatherstripping doors will prevent energy-wasting air leaks and keep your HVAC unit from overworking. Inspect all your home’s doors, seals, and openings for drafts and thank us later when your utility bills are lower.

Feed your inner chef

Updating your kitchen is an appetizing way to improve your home. It’s been said that the kitchen is the heart of the home—and people tend to gather around food. Time to create a truly inviting space where your friends and family will love to eat, drink, and be merry.

Try installing a new backsplash, attaching new cabinet knobs and handles, and planting some indoor herbs near your kitchen window. These spring home improvement projects are relatively cheap and easy to incorporate. Or if you’re ready to take on some bigger projects around the kitchen, see how your major appliances are holding up. You may need to install a new garbage disposal or call in a professional to fix your refrigerator’s ice maker.

Increase your garage’s usability

At times, the garage can be the ultimate organizational challenge. Have you ever seen a two-car garage that was so cluttered it couldn’t even store one car? It happens all too often. Here’s a helpful hint: on your list of spring home improvement projects, add organizing the garage. First, go through your stuff, piece by piece, and separate everything into four piles: throw out, recycle, donate, and keep. Once you’re left with only the items you want to keep, then you can dust or wipe down the items, sweep and clean the garage, and reorganize the items in a way that will maximize usability. You may even want to add built-in shelves or a labeling system to ensure organization well into the future.

Boost your basement’s organization

Does your basement make you cringe? Like the garage, the basement tends to be the “dump-all” room of the home. After months of hiding miscellaneous items in the basement, take an approach similar to the garage and get to organizing! Reclaim that space and add seating or an entertainment center to turn your basement into a second family room.

Show your home some love and freshen it up with these spring home improvement projects. Looking for financing for a bigger, more expensive home renovation? See how we can help you refinance your mortgage and tap into your home’s equity.

The post 5 Fresh Spring Home Improvement Projects appeared first on Cardinal Financial.