3. Use Clear Bins to See Easily Items
Storage containers are lifesaving tools that can instantly make your life easier. The major benefit of using clear bins is that you’ll be able to guess what’s inside a bin before having to remove it from the shelf, take the lid off, and search for the thing you’re looking for.
Clear bins also don’t require labels for the same reason: if you can tell what’s stored in them, you may not need to label them. But it’s your call: if you really want to be extra organized and have a garage like the ones you see on Pinterest, go for it!
But before getting your own storage bins, make sure you have everything sorted out into three main categories: things you’ll keep, things you’ll donate, and things you’ll throw away. Once you do this, you can start to organize and store the stuff you keep.
Pictures are needed for each idea
I agree with Annie. Pictures will help us visualize what it will look like.
I would find out what can be taken to Goodwill or to the trash before finding new ways to store stuff.
GOOD POINT!
Don’t take it to Goodwill. Their executives make six figures. Kind of excessive amount for an organization that is supposed to help people and the six figures is not a low number.
Take it where it really helps. Like a woman shelter. Women in their children are kicked out or have to leave in the middle of the night. Many times with nothing. They can use everything to restart their life.
Yes, She is definitely correct there. Take it to those who depend upon volunteers for labor and who lift those who are in the depths of misery. Battered shelters, orphan thrift stores and those who work with and for Hospice.
Thats correct,
They suggested that in the beginning. Sort into 3 piles. Take to the dump pile, donation pile, and keep pile.
I would also suggest some bulky tool items might be replaced by new smaller more efficient item if it is something you absolutely need to have.
Another great place to donate is Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore. Especially if you are remodeling! They accept used building materials, appliances, as well as furniture and seasonal stuff. They resell items for reasonable prices and help house people with the profits.
Pretty much all CEOs make six figures. Goodwill is a great organization that does help many people, including finding jobs for people with special needs and giving them vocational training. I promise that your items will be put to good use and the profits will be put to good use.
Of course, there is nothing wrong with donating to women’s shelters, either.
In past few years I have noticed changes with Goodwill. They have upped their prices in their stores to the point where I have found it cheaper at Walmart. This is ridiculous since they get the items for free. I also heard they take the better items and put them up for auction to get more money. I am wondering if maybe these CEOs should be getting smaller wages since this is supposed to help out people who cannot afford new items.
Good Will Training Center in Florida is excellent!! They train non violent recently incarcerated individuals to reentry society and they hire them .
They also pay for community college for employees that qualify .
I give them everything I don’t need
Good point
I agree with you don’t take it to goodwill they pretend like they are going to help people do this and that! The prices are ridiculous at the goodwill, there stuff is horrible high any more , you can buy new stuff compared to buying from the goodwill.
Very true!
That explains it well.
Not only does Goodwill over pay the executives, it also employees child molesters who aren’t supposed to be around children…… the last time I went into a Goodwill there were more children than adults. I know this because when I went, the man who molested my child was working right out in the store around a lot of children. I called his parole officer and spoke to the manager about what he had done. His parole officer called him in and the store manager didn’t seem to care. I won’t shop there or donate anything to them due to their business practices.
I agree! I never donate to Goodwill. They don’t pay their employees much either! I donate to local thrift stores that are charitable organizations helping the poor and needy. Also Salvation Army is good and helps others out. Women’s shelters are an excellent place to donate and help someone in desperate situations.
I’ve heard that about Goodwill and a few other major “charity” organizations
But do you happen to know which ones would be the best to trust enough for making donations of items? Ones that would actually help those in need?
I admit, I haven’t researched it, but wondered if you might happen to know?
Thanks
I can’t speak for Goodwill’s in other states but in KY 93¢ of every dollar that they take in go back into the programs. They do a lot of good in helping people. Lots of positive programs. They give a hand up not a hand out. Give to or whatever you are comfortable with but you should be aware of all the positive that Goodwill does for the community.
I take everything that I don’t need to Good Will because they have a fantastic re-entry program where they assist recently non-violent incarcerated individuals.
They have the largest recycling program in the world. I don’t mind when CEOs make good money as long as their agency, non for profit corporation does good for the community while they make money.
That is a great idea.
I read the same about goodwills executives making big money.
Womens shelter is 1 of many much better organizations.
There are great places to donate your items to. I personally use the Salvation Army, some Veterans organizations, some health organizations ie: Breast Cancer, Kidney, etc. Mustard Seed. Animal shelters, Battered Women/Children Shelters. Most large organizations will pickup your donations. Pick an organization that tugs your heart strings. Don’t fill the landfills with useful items.
large capacity rolling tool chests are an absolute necessity for saving space and organizing tools.
I agree that a lot of this stored stuffed could be trashed! Perhaps the homeowner should look for a bigger home and storage space.
Maybe for you Carol! Not all homeowners or renters can afford a bigger space, especially in the current economy. And maybe they don’t want to trash stuff that they use seasonally or even just occasionally. Sometimes it’s just a matter of good organization. This post gave some good tips for organizing your garage to store what you have and need/want to keep.
The first and last pics are congested messes. I already live like that and no matter how it’s stored……TOO MUCH JUNK!
I am so sorry to say that the Clutter x 1,000 would be impossible to remedy. It’s impossible to take one foot step in that full from walls to wall x four. I bug “HIM” and bug “HIM” to absolutely no avail….same with the living room I no longer have…..and it’s the largest room in this house due to an extension….it’s is the husband’s bed room by himself.
About the garage, I swear he is waiting to die, so I’ll be stuck with the impossible decluttering.
I have the same problem; hubby ignores me when I plead with him to help me clear the garage out! It’s not my terrain so I hesitate to try myself! It’s a major issue but my suggestions fall on deaf ears!!
I can totally relate. He makes the mess and I have to clean it up! Inside the house is one thing because I have it organized. But he just piles stuff up in the middle of the garage. No way can I get a vehicle inside. Even when I make organizing suggestions, he’s all for it but refuses to implement them. Really frustrating.
I think this looks pretty good. I’ll guess the family members live an active lifestyle, maybe like to decorate for the holidays, and are clever enough to do some of their own repairs (tools). Perhaps the minimalists that are commenting should just scroll on by.
Shelving on the side walls would help alot. Tools can be stored on a pegboard and junk can be stored in the trash.
I was tired of plastic bins breaking with my jewelers stones and gems, so my wonderful husband bought me a steel mechanics’ tool cart. Wonderful!!
Lucky you! Would you be willing to loan him out? Maybe he could at least train mine!!
Donate to Viet nam vets! They pick up everything except large furniture and tv sets. I schedule a pick up once a month for our household, everybody contributes, and it’s a good way to keep constantly on top of the decluttering nightmare!
I have a two car garage.
We have only one vehicle stored in the garage.
Above the car we have a 4×8 storage bin for lightweight materials purchased at Costco.
I also have 6 rolling steel shelves18 inches deep by 4feet long. there is only one aisle for the 6 rolling shelves. this provides a lot of capacity in the garage,
I have 16 feet of painted white pegboard on a wall. for all of the strange things we need to store. (hammers, scissors saws sawblades etcetera.(Large holes)White is important, because it provides contrast and visibility of the hanging items. some folks make tool outlines of the hanging items.
On the car side of the garage we have three rolling tool carts and a homemade 36″ wide by 15″deep vertical storage rack. On the same wall above the carts hangs a 12’by 8′ chunk of carpet.
We have three refrigerators and a compressor in the garage as well.
What a waste this article is, just like anything else on Yahoo or AOL. No pictures. Nothing original. Only an opportunity to sell advertising space to those wishing to dip their greedy little hands into our pockets.
You have great ideas. Thank you! I found donating to the presbyterian Shelter is the best place because they provide all items needed for the people that live on the streets. I take Coats,Blanket, socks and so on. They also feed all the homeless people and shelter Men, Women and children if the people want to come in. They are located off of East Lancaster in Fort Worth. I also donate items to Arlington Resale which they donate money made to Pregnant Women that have no where to go. Their shop is in Arlington. Mission Arlington is really good but they will not take large Desk, Entertainment Center but they do give all items to the homeless for free. Does anyone know where I can donate bigger items to? I do estate sales and have bigger items that no one wants and they are quality pieces