8 Things in Your Garage to Throw Out IMMEDIATELY, According to Professional Organizers
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Few spots at home are more prone to clutter than your garage. Think about it: Not only do they get hit with overflow from the house (especially if yours doesn’t have a mudroom or other entry point with easy storage), but they also have to contain the items we need for life outdoors, like lawn care must-haves, sports gear, car supplies, and seasonal extras like holiday decor and patio umbrellas. Without a good organizational system, your garage can devolve into a tangle of rakes, hoses, baseball bats, and extra paper towels pretty quickly.
Smart storage differs from home to home and layout to layout, but there’s one thing that’s true for all of us: Organization begins with getting rid of things you don’t need. In a garage, overlooked junk often takes up space you could be putting to very good use. “A cluttered garage not only prevents you from parking inside but also keeps you from easily accessing and using your belongings,” Ashley Murphy, cofounder and CEO of NEAT Method, says. “Additionally, unorganized garages tend to be a place where items are hidden, buried, and forgotten about, which can lead to damage and overbuying.” Murphy suggests purging your garage twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall, when you’ll probably be rotating tools and gear out anyway.
To help get you started, we’ve rounded up eight things pros always throw out when they organize a garage, from goopy old paint to busted kids’ toys. Permission to purge granted.
Outgrown Toys
If you’re a parent, chances are good that Cozy Coupes and pint-size Jeeps take up more garage space than actual vehicles—even if your “little ones” aren’t so little. While it can be hard (and heartbreaking), parting ways with nostalgic toys—and any play gear that’s weathered, unsafe, or broken—can free up a surprising amount of space. “It’s easy to identify items that no longer apply to your children,” Murphy says. “Whether that’s a kiddie pool that’s too small or a bike that your child has outgrown, parting ways with these pieces will clear space for items that support your family’s current needs and hobbies.”
Solution: Find a local parents or curb alert group on Facebook Marketplace and post your items there. People who have little kids will be more than happy to take those in decent condition off your hands. For broken or unusable items, bulky waste day is a better bet.
Old Paint and Chemicals
While most items on this list are pure nuisances, some—like old paint cans and containers of expired chemicals—can be downright dangerous to keep hanging around. Many are extremely flammable and can be dangerous if kept in a place that children or pets can access, so it’s best to get rid of anything you don’t need. “Expired paint can be dried out and unusable, not to mention hazardous,” organizing expert and owner of Simply Luxe Organizing Ryen Toft says.
Solution: Learn how to get rid of paint safely. Your municipality may have a waste or recycling center you can take paint and bottles of chemicals (think lighter fluid or pest control substances) to for proper disposal. Otherwise, Toft says, “Your local paint store usually accepts all paints and will recycle them for you at no cost.” Never pour paint or chemicals into the street or a drain or onto your lawn.
Mismatched (or Mystery) Hardware
Save a door hinge here and a box of nails there, and before you know it you’ve got a grab bag of small, pointy objects in your tool kit. While it can be great to have this type of hardware on hand when you need it, it’s not very useful unless you label it and keep track of exactly what it’s for. The same goes for random cables, chargers, and wires.
Solution: “I tell my clients to get rid of any old hardware that they’re unsure of what it goes to,” Jenna Haefelin, professional organizer and owner of SPIFF, says. “If you are unsure of its purpose now, chances are you won’t realize you have it when you need it. Tidying up small details like this can have a significant impact.” Your local recycling center may have special days or sections for scrap metal and electrical component collection; check with them, then drop your items off to be stripped and reused.
Broken Appliances
It can be easy for your garages to become a graveyard of broken appliances, especially if you’re the fix-it type. But if there are items on the shelves still awaiting repair and getting dusty, perhaps the time has come to bid them farewell. “Don’t hold onto things you’ll realistically never get around to repairing or anything that will cost more to fix than it’s actually worth,” Toft says.
Solution: “Recycle or scrap broken electronics and appliances,” Toft suggests. “There are a lot of convenient e-waste locations now, and Home Depot even takes lightbulbs!”
Excess Building Materials
If you recently renovated or moved into a new build, it can be tempting to keep all excess materials in the hopes that, when the time comes, you’ll have 200 square feet of extra subway tile when you need it. Well, consider this your wake-up call. “You usually only need to keep a handful of building materials, not entire boxes,” Jamie Hord, pro organizer and founder of Horderly, says. “The chances of needing to replace the entire bathroom is unlikely and you’ll probably change your mind—or get new of what you want to use—anyway.”
Solution: “Keep a sheet or two of tile for the bathroom in case some breaks,” Hord suggests. That way you’ll have a perfect match from the same run—but it won’t take up an entire corner of your garage.
Cardboard Boxes
Whether you’re using leftover shipping boxes as a means of storage or just haven’t had a chance to break them down properly, cardboard is something all the pros we talked to said to get rid of. Not only is it neither a reliable (or aesthetic) way of organizing, but cardboard degrades over time, making whatever you store in it susceptible to bugs, moisture, and more.
Solution: “I always suggest that clients switch things into weathertight bins and get rid of any cardboard, which can get moist or soggy and create mold,” Hord says. “We often utilize The Container Store’s Elfa garage system for its complete customization and interchangeability, which is ideal for clients with evolving needs,” Haefelin adds. “When it comes to storage bins, I highly recommend the Iris weathertight bins for their secure seal and wide range of sizes. For a more upscale appearance, the Like-It Stack-Up storage containers from The Container Store are a favorite, available in three colors and various sizes to cater to different requirements.”
Broken or Old Sports Gear
If your garage looks like an overflowing locker room, you need to audit your family's sports gear. Purge any equipment that’s seen better days, like the tee your Louisville Slugger took a bat to one too many times or the mountain bike your teen hasn’t ridden in a decade. “Give yourself permission to say goodbye to broken and well-loved soccer nets, basketballs, baseball mitts, and more,” Murphy says. “You can also take this time to edit anything that is no longer being used—sports gear can be bulky, and there’s no reason to hold onto something that isn’t useful.”
Solution: Your trash may be another parent’s money-saving treasure. Post items you’re purging on Facebook so any takers can pick them up. The Vietnam Vets’ Pickup Please program is another easy option that will collect items from your porch or driveway.
Damaged or Old Furniture
We’re all about shopping secondhand, and the value of repairing furniture cannot be denied. Still, it’s important to be realistic. If you’re not the handy type or if you’re in an especially busy season of your life, you’re probably not going to get around to fixing that crooked leg or busted rush seat. “Old furniture that is kept in the garage is usually not going to get used and is often held onto for the wrong reasons,” Hord says. “Either commit to getting these pieces properly fixed or go ahead and part with them.” Another important point? Your garage is far more exposed to the elements than your attic or basement, so furniture stored without proper protection probably isn’t long for this world anyway.
Solution: Put up a post on Facebook Marketplace or hold a tag sale—we promise, your pieces will find a happy home.
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