How to Clean Out a Garage (Step-by-Step Guide)

⭐ STEP 1 — Pull Everything Out (Yes… EVERYTHING)

Most people make the same mistake: they try to clean a garage while everything is still inside it.
That never works — because you can’t sort, sweep, stack, or evaluate anything in the dark, cramped chaos.

A real cleanout starts with a full unload, just like we did here.

WHAT STEP 1 LOOKS LIKE IN REAL LIFE:

• Pull every single item out to open space (driveway, carport, or yard)

• Create fast piles: Keep / Donate / Trash / Recycle / Sell

• Photograph valuables before moving them

• Use your truck/trailer to stage bulky loads

• Keep pathways clear so nothing gets trampled

  ⭐ PRO TIP:

  If your garage is packed from floor to ceiling like this one was, expect at least 2–4 trailer loads.
  Most people underestimate how much volume they actually have — that’s why hiring pros saves HOURS.

Front of an overfilled garage with piles of boxes and furniture pulled out during a large garage cleanout in Puyallup.

⭐ STEP 2 — SORT SMART: KEEP, DONATE, TRASH, RECYCLE, SELL

Most people stall out during a garage cleanout because they start sorting inside the clutter.
That never works — you can’t make good decisions when everything is stacked, buried, or blocking your movement.

A clean, efficient sort happens after the pull-out, with clear piles and a clear game plan.

💡 WHAT STEP 2 LOOKS LIKE IN REAL LIFE:

CREATE FAST, SIMPLE PILES

• KEEP (things you actually use or need)

• DONATE (usable items someone else can benefit from)

• TRASH (broken, ruined, or useless items)

• RECYCLE (metal, cardboard, appliances, electronics)

• SELL (valuable items that can be resold and kept out of the landfill)

FOLLOW THESE PRO TIPS FOR EASY SORTING

• Don’t sentimentalize—handle each item once and decide quickly

• Keep your walk paths open so nothing gets trampled

• Stage heavy/bulky items near the trailer so loading is faster

• Photograph valuables before moving them

• Flatten cardboard immediately to avoid huge volume waste

• Keep donation items clean and dry so they’re accepted

  ⭐ PRO TIP:

  If you’re doing this alone, sorting takes 2–3× longer than people expect—especially when items are stacked floor-to-ceiling.

  Pros (like us) can sort, stage, and load in a fraction of the time because we know:

  • what can be donated

  • what must be recycled

  • what goes to the landfill

  • what’s actually worth selling

  • how to minimize trailer loads

  Sorting smart = less stress, fewer loads, lower dump fees, and way more saved time.

Everything gets laid out so nothing is missed — this is where professional sorting saves hours.

Fully loaded trailer Load #1— stacking bulky items tight to maximize space.

Staging everything in the carport — the first step to creating clear keep, donate, trash, recycle, and sell piles.

⭐ STEP 3 — LOAD THE TRAILER SMART (MAX OUT SPACE, MINIMIZE TRIPS)

Once everything is sorted, it’s loading time.
This is where most DIY garage cleanouts go wrong — they just start tossing things into a truck bed or trailer with no strategy.

A professional load is like a puzzle:

• it uses every bit of space

• keeps the load safe and stable

• separates recyclables

• and cuts down on how many trips (and dump fees) you pay for.

  💡What Step 3 looks like in Real life:

• Start with the heaviest items.
  Furniture, shelving, tool chests, totes full of books or tools — these go in first and build a solid base.

• Build a tight “back wall.”
  Pack heavy, flat items upright and tight so the rest of the load can lean safely against them.

• Fill the gaps, not just the floor.
  Slide in medium items (boxes, small furniture, crates) to fill holes and keep things from shifting.

• Save the light, loose stuff for last.
  Bags, soft goods, loose junk, and broken-down cardboard can fill the top and front without getting crushed.

• Keep recyclables separate when you can.
  Metal, cardboard, and certain appliances are cheaper to dump or recycle when they’re not buried in trash.

• Strap and secure the load.
  Use ratchet straps or tie-downs so nothing moves when you hit a bump or take a turn.

  WHAT NOT TO DO

• Don’t throw items in randomly “just to get it done.”

• Don’t stack heavy items on top of fragile or donation items.

• Don’t waste trailer space with big air pockets and uneven stacks.

• Don’t mix hazardous stuff (paint, chemicals, oils) into regular trash.

• A sloppy load = more trips, more dump fees, and more time wasted.

  ⭐ PRO TIP:

  Our trailer is 10 ft × 6 ft × 3 ft = 180 cubic feet.
  Most standard pickup beds are only about 50–70 cubic feet.

  That means one of our trailer loads can equal around 3+ pickup truck loads when it’s packed correctly.

  Loading smart isn’t just about organization — it’s about saving you, the customer, hours of driving and multiple dump runs.

⭐ STEP 4 — DEEP CLEAN & RESET THE GARAGE

Once everything is pulled out and sorted, it’s time to reset the space.
This step doesn’t need photos — it’s a quick, essential part of getting the garage ready for long-term organization.

Most homeowners skip deep cleaning because it feels optional… but this is where pros make a huge difference.
A clean garage is easier to organize, safer to walk through, and gives you a fresh start before anything goes back in.

🔹 WHAT TO DO IN STEP 4:

• Sweep the entire garage floor, starting from the back and moving toward the door

• Knock down cobwebs in corners and rafters

• Vacuum shelves, corners, and hard-to-reach areas

• Wipe down workbenches, cabinets, and storage racks

• Clean up dust piles behind appliances or stored items

• Check for oil spots or stains on concrete and treat them

• Replace dim bulbs so the garage is fully lit

• Inspect for leaks, rodent droppings, or damaged storage areas

• Make sure the garage door sensors and tracks are clear

  ⭐ PRO TIP:

  Doing this BEFORE you put anything back will save you hours later.
  A clean, empty floor lets you:

  • Plan better storage zones

  • Install shelving without obstacles

  • Avoid reorganizing twice

  A 10-minute deep clean now can save you a full day of frustration later.

⭐ STEP 5 — PUT EVERYTHING BACK WITH A SMART STORAGE PLAN (ZONES!)

Once the garage is cleaned, sorted, and reset, the final step is putting everything back in a way that makes sense — not just stacking stuff in the corners and hoping for the best.

A good storage plan makes your garage safer, cleaner, easier to navigate, and way more functional for years to come.

Professionals always use the zone system to keep things organized.

🔹 HOW TO PUT EVERYTHING BACK SMART:

• Place frequently used items low and forward

• Put heavy items closer to the ground

• Use totes for loose items instead of piles

• Label totes so you don’t have to reopen them later

• Keep hazardous items up high or locked away from kids/pets

• Leave a clear path from the garage door to the interior door

• Keep the center of the garage open whenever possible

• Store items vertically to maximize space (hooks, racks, shelves)

• Put items you rarely use up high or in the back

  ⭐ PRO TIP:

  A clean, well-zoned garage makes future cleanouts FAST.
  Once everything has a home, you stop losing tools, stop rebuying duplicates, and stop letting clutter creep back in.

  This is how you turn a one-time garage cleanout…
  into a garage that stays clean all year.

  Need help with a cleanout like this? Just Ask Alex — we handle sorting, hauling, donating, recycling, and full garage resets across Pierce, King & Thurston Counties.