7 Easy Tips to Keep Your Garage Clean and Clutter-Free
Anne Callender • March 28, 2025

Is your garage overflowing with old boxes, broken tools, or things you forgot you even owned? You’re not alone. For many Colorado homeowners, the garage becomes a catch-all storage space — until it’s hard to park a car, find a tool, or walk through without tripping.
The good news? With a little planning, you can turn that cluttered space into an organized, functional area. Here are 7 easy garage organization tips to help you take back your space — and how Colorado Junk Runners can help when the cleanup gets too big to handle alone.
1. Start with a Full Cleanout
Before you can organize, you need to see what you're working with. Pull everything out of your garage and sort it into four categories: keep, donate, recycle, and toss.
This is where most of the clutter gets dealt with — and where Colorado Junk Runners can help. From old furniture and broken shelving to cardboard, paint cans*, and e-waste, we’ll haul it away so you can focus on organizing what matters.
Note: We follow all local guidelines and restrictions on what can be hauled, especially with chemicals or hazardous materials.
2. Create Zones for Your Stuff
Once you’ve decluttered, group similar items together:
- Tools and hardware
- Sports equipment
- Camping gear
- Lawn and garden supplies
- Holiday décor
Designate areas for each category so you’ll always know where to find things.
3. Use Wall-Mounted or Vertical Storage
Take advantage of your wall space! Install shelves, pegboards, or hooks to hang tools, bikes, and ladders. Keeping items off the floor maximizes space and makes cleaning easier.
Pro tip: Store seasonal or rarely used items on high shelves, and keep daily-use items at eye level.
4. Swap Cardboard Boxes for Clear Bins
Clear, stackable plastic bins are ideal for garage storage. They keep out dust, moisture, and critters — and you can easily see what’s inside.
Label every bin so you don’t have to dig through them every time you need holiday lights or camping gear.
5. Don’t Store These Items in the Garage
Some things just don’t belong in the garage due to temperature swings, moisture, or fire risk:
- Paint or chemicals
- Propane tanks
- Electronics
- Paper documents or photos
- Pet food
Not sure how to dispose of them? Reach out to us - we can help guide you or handle the safe haul-away when possible.
6. Put Seasonal Cleanouts on Your Calendar
Don’t wait for things to pile up again. Schedule a garage refresh every spring and fall to keep things under control. Make it part of your spring cleaning checklist or back-to-school prep.
A quick quarterly sweep can prevent another major garage overhaul down the road.
7. Call in the Pros When It’s Too Much
If you’ve got years of built-up clutter, old appliances, damaged furniture, or heavy junk you don’t want to lift — let us take care of it.
Colorado Junk Runners provides fast, affordable garage junk removal in Boulder, Louisville, Longmont, Broomfield, Lafayette, Erie, Berthoud, Arvada, and surrounding Front Range communities
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Storage Unit vs. Decluttering: Do You Really Need Extra Space? Thinking about renting a storage unit because your home feels cluttered? You’re not alone. But before you sign that monthly contract, it’s worth asking: Do I really need more space… or just less stuff? In this post, we’ll break down the pros and cons of renting a storage unit vs. decluttering your space — and how simple junk removal could be the smarter, more affordable solution. Why People Rent Storage Units Renting a storage unit can seem like an easy fix when you're overwhelmed by too much stuff. Common reasons include: You're downsizing or in between homes You’ve inherited furniture or belongings You want to keep seasonal gear or holiday decorations out of sight You’re holding onto things “just in case” But storage units come with downsides: Monthly costs that add up fast Limited access to your belongings The risk of simply postponing a decluttering decision Decluttering: The More Permanent Solution Before renting a unit, take a step back and ask: Do I really want to keep all of this, or am I just avoiding sorting it? Decluttering your home often leads to the realization that: You don’t actually need most of what’s taking up space Letting go is more freeing (and cost-effective) than holding on A clean, organized home feels better than a paid storage bill Decluttering Tips to Get Started: Start with one area (like a garage or closet) Use the 1-year rule: if you haven’t used it in 12 months, let it go Separate items into keep, donate, sell, and toss piles Call in a junk removal team if the pile starts to feel overwhelming Junk Removal Services Make It Easy Decluttering can feel like a lot — especially when bulky items or large loads get in the way. That’s where Colorado Junk Runners comes in. We help homeowners throughout Boulder, Louisville, Lafayette, Erie, Longmont, and nearby areas remove everything from old furniture and appliances to yard waste, electronics, and household junk. We donate what we can, recycle responsibly, and make the whole process stress-free so you don’t have to lift a finger. FAQ: Storage Units vs. Decluttering Is decluttering cheaper than renting a storage unit? Yes — decluttering is typically a one-time effort, while storage units come with ongoing monthly fees. Junk removal may have a flat cost upfront, but it avoids long-term storage expenses. What should I do with large furniture or items I don’t want? Hire a junk removal service like Colorado Junk Runners. We handle everything from pickup to proper disposal or donation — no hauling or heavy lifting required. What if I still need short-term storage after decluttering? If you're moving or remodeling, consider a short-term storage solution like a portable container. But don’t commit to long-term storage until you’ve removed everything you truly don’t need. Final Thoughts: Choose Space That Serves You Before you commit to a storage unit, take a few hours to walk through your home and clear the clutter. You may discover that you don’t need more space — you just need less junk. Need help clearing the way? Colorado Junk Runners is here to help with reliable, eco-friendly junk removal across the Front Range. Whether you’re decluttering, downsizing, or just tired of tripping over old boxes, we’ll haul it away so you can enjoy a cleaner, more open space. Call or text us today at 303-885-2294 to get a free quote.