Looking to give your home and garage a little boost before fall and winter really hit? Check out our top 5 weekend projects!

Weather Stripping:
With colder weather on the horizon it’s time to start preparing your home for the changing seasons. Weather stripping your garage and home will save you money this winter. Visit your local home improvement store and get some weather stripping tape or door seals. This will help seal up gaps in your door frames and keep warm air in your home. Your electric bill this winter will thank you for taking some time to accomplish this task before it gets too cold.

Cleaning Out the Garage:
No one wants to clean out the garage when it’s super cold or dreadfully hot, that’s why fall is the perfect time to give your garage a little attention. To start, remove all of your items from the garage. Taking everything out will allow you to evaluate the items you are currently storing in your garage. Do you really need that broken rake?

Sweeping down all cobwebs and sweeping out all debris will help prepare your garage for the coming winter. It will also give you a clean slate for putting everything back. Once a space is clean, it’s harder to put back unnecessary items. You may even want to capitalize on the time you have while the garage is empty to use your hose to spray out any lingering debris.

Decluttering:
We all know the word, and to some it’s a naughty word, not to be spoken in the house. Decluttering can be time consuming and frustrating, but it doesn’t have to be! Taking it slow, giving yourself breaks, and planning can make this task fly by in a Saturday or Sunday. Start by making a plan of the rooms/spaces that you want to tackle first; this will give you an idea of how much time you need to set aside. Be sure to give yourself ample time to complete each room as it’s best not to stop decluttering when you’re only halfway through a room.

As you work your way through each room, sort your items into three categories (keep, donate, or trash). Some people find that piles will suffice, while others use cardboard boxes to keep things contained. When deciding whether or not to keep something, ask yourself if you’ve used that item in the last 6-12 months. If the answer is no, it’s time to donate or trash. If the item can be used by someone else or is only gently used, donate! Those items that are beyond repair should find their way into the trash pile. Once you have your donate pile, be sure to take it directly to your local donation center. Leaving your donation pile by the door will simply add clutter to your space, which is exactly the opposite of what you’re working towards.

Garage Organization:
It’s easy to walk into your garage, see all your items that need storage solutions and decide to buy a bunch of plastic bins or boxes to keep everything stored away. Before you buy ANY storage solutions, you need to go through the items in your garage. Use the same method detailed above as you work through your garage. Only after you’ve decided on the items you want to keep should you consider buying new garage storage solutions. Bins and boxes are great for storing your holiday decorations, costumes, memorabilia or other items safely stored away from the elements. Purchase clear bins and label everything so you know exactly where that miniature town set lives.

Getting those boxes and bins off the floor will give your garage a clean look for years. Not to mention, you will have your garage floor back, allowing you to park vehicles in the garage. Utilizing the garage walls with sturdy shelving will maximize your garage storage space. Overhead racks are also handy solutions for storing your less-frequently used items.

Deodorizing the Garage:
How many times have you walked into your garage and crinkled your nose at the smell? Everyone has experienced it, and it’s not fun. The first thing you will want to do is clean out and declutter your garage, see above. This will help eliminate any hiding odor causes like molding cardboard or dead pests.

If you store your garbage can in the garage, you may want to consider giving it a bath inside and out. Once the can is empty, spray it out with a dawn and vinegar mixture and scrub to get rid of any funky smells. This is a task best done on a sunny day as you will want to leave your can out to dry. When the can is dry, sprinkle some laundry scent boosters in the bottom to give it a fresh smell. Here are some more tips for deodorizing your garage.

Whatever weekend project you decide to tackle, be sure to make a plan beforehand so you know exactly what you’ll need to complete the project and how much time you need to set aside. Once you complete your projects, give yourself a reward for all your hard work! This could be as simple as a McDonald’s ice cream cone or as extravagant as a new power tool, you decide!

Photo credit here and here.