The Coshocton County Beacon September 17, 2020 | Page 17

September 17, 2020 The Beacon • 17 Follow these tips to get your garage organized the power shop “We service what we sell” 8am-5pm M-F Call on Saturday [email protected] BF-00492343 0011_090617 57197 COUNTY ROAD 9 • WEST LAFAYETTE, OH 43845 p: 740-545-9011 • f: 740-545-9555 Before winter sets in, take some time to clean out and organize your garage. By Josie Sellers Before winter sets in, take some time to clean out and organize your garage. “Take absolutely everything out,” said Rebecca Armstrong, owner of An Organized Journey. “Sweep the floors and get in the corners. You’ll be surprised what you’ll find. There might be empty Walmart bags hidden behind stuff, and you might find fun things like a squirrel’s nest.” Take a look at your walls too. Depending on what type you have, you can hose them down. “(Your garage) doesn’t have to be spick and span but try to get it as clean as you can,” Armstrong said. “Just having it clean will lower your stress.” Armstrong also is a fan of using pegboards where possible, industrial tubs and tool organizers. “If you can put pegboards with hooks up, you are more apt to not go buy another hammer if you see it hanging up or don’t have to rustle down to the bottom of a toolbox looking for one,” Armstrong said. Another good idea is to place a few essential tools in a toolbox and keep them inside. “Put a hammer, a straight screwdriver, Phillips screwdriver, set of pliers and monkey wrench in a little toolbox and keep it in your coat closet if you have one,” Armstrong said. “That way you can just grab it if you need it for something in the house and then put it back.” Before you put items back, be sure to go through them. “Go through paints and see which ones are dried out,” Armstrong said. “If you have spray paint that is less than half full, dispose of it. Chances are there isn’t enough for another project. If you keep them, you will just start another collection.” It is, however, a good idea to keep a jar of paint for touch-ups to a room. “Make sure you label the jars and what room the paint is for,” Armstrong said. “Unless you have enough to repaint the room, you don’t need to keep it, especially if it’s dried out. If it is dried out, get rid of it.” Bikes are best stored up off the floor. “There are wonderful pulley systems that even kids can use to get their bike down,” Armstrong said. “I prefer those for kids rather than the hooks. If you use those and don’t get them hung just right, they can fall down. You also have to be able to lift them up to get them off the hook.” Submitted Gardening tools can be contained in 13-gallon trash cans without lids. “Put them against the wall if you can and use extra-large bungee cords to hold the tools back so they don’t fall over,” Armstrong said. “Label the cans too so you know which tools go where.” Shelving units and 18-gallon totes also can help contain items. “I try to get the clear ones,” Armstrong said. “They are going to be in the garage, so make sure they are heavy duty and not flimsy.” Sleds can be put on shelves that attach to the ceiling or slid up into the rafters. “This keeps them out of the way, and you can get a folding step stool to get them down,” Armstrong said. Recyclables can be put in marked totes and then easily taken where they need to go and dumped out. As you put items back in your garage, make sure to sort them, put like items together and label everything. If you need further help with your garage or other rooms, feel free to contact Armstrong for a professional consultation. You can message her on An Organized Journey’s Facebook page or call 740- 995-9645. VISUALIZE YOUR SHED ONLINE www.alpine structures.net 10x12' Ez-Fit Homestead What they’re saying “The installers were right on time and professional. Awesome job!” Debbie - Pickerington, OH 330.359.5708 • 800.359.7522 4.5 miles East of Berlin 1.5 miles West of Winesburg on US 62 Monday-Friday 6:30–4:30, Saturday 9–2 www.AlpineStructures.net 10x16' Alpine Elite Cottage 10x14' Alpine Barnstyle 4' Sidewalls Vinyl Siding RESTRUCTURE YOUR BACKYARD BF-00475657