If your garage looks more like a storage unit than a place to park your car, you’re not alone. Between leftover paint cans, outgrown sports gear, and that “just in case” microwave from 1995, most garages quietly collect years of clutter.
But clearing out your garage isn’t just about making space, it’s about reclaiming it. A well-organized garage makes your daily life smoother and can even make your home feel larger and more polished (something buyers always notice).
This fall, take a few hours to tackle the space that’s been begging for attention. Here are 15 things you can finally let go of, guilt-free, and how to do it responsibly:
1. Old Paint
If it’s been open for more than two years or looks separated, it’s time to toss it. Many counties (including Montgomery County) have hazardous waste drop-off programs for safe disposal.
2. Expired Fertilizer and Pesticides
Sun-faded bags and half-empty bottles lose effectiveness and can be unsafe. Dispose of them through your local hazardous waste facility.
3. Old Motor Oil and Chemicals
Oil, antifreeze, or pool chemicals shouldn’t sit around for years. Check your county’s next hazardous materials collection event.
4. Oily Rags
Rags soaked in linseed oil or motor oil are fire hazards. Let them dry outdoors before discarding in a sealed metal container.
5. Broken or Duplicate Tools
If you haven’t fixed that broken drill yet, you won’t. Donate working extras and recycle or discard the rest.
6. Leftover Building Materials
That stack of 2x4s and half-used grout bags aren’t doing you any favors. Offer them up on Buy Nothing or Facebook Marketplace.
7. Random Hardware
Coffee cans full of mystery screws and cables for gadgets you no longer own? Recycle the metal and clear the shelf space.
8. Outgrown Sports Gear
If your teen’s Little League bats are still in the corner, it’s time to pass them along to a family who can use them.
9. Unused Gym Equipment
That bench press you haven’t touched in five years? Sell or donate it. Then enjoy the open floor space.
10. Broken Camping Gear
Busted lanterns and ripped tents don’t deserve prime real estate. Keep what you use, and donate what still works.
11. Old Holiday Décor
If it hasn’t made an appearance since 2020, it probably never will. Donate gently used pieces and toss broken ones.
12. Old Furniture
Unless it’s a true heirloom, furniture doesn’t belong in a garage. Humidity ruins wood and upholstery. Donate it to organizations like A Wider Circle.
13. Spare Appliances and Electronics
The mini fridge that barely chills? The microwave from college? Recycle them through your local e-waste program.
14. Tires and Car Parts
Bald or unused tires and leftover parts from a car you no longer own can be recycled at tire shops or scrapyards.
15. Paper and Pantry Goods
Old newspapers, files, or pet food bags attract mildew and pests. Recycle paper and store food items inside the house instead.
How to Clear It Out Efficiently
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Sell gently used items on Facebook Marketplace.
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Donate what’s still in good shape to local organizations like A Wider Circle.
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Recycle or use hazardous waste programs for chemicals, paint, and electronics.
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Hire a junk removal service for anything too big to haul yourself. They’ll often recycle what they can.
Once it’s all gone, the payoff is instant: a cleaner, safer space and a fresh sense of calm every time you open that garage door.
And whether you’re preparing to sell or simply settling in for another season at home, a clutter-free garage is one of the easiest ways to add value, both to your home and your peace of mind.
