What Is the Best Way to Clean Out a Garage?

Use this simple checklist to clean out your cluttered garage fast and stay organized. Tap here to download the full list!

Dán Kober31/01/20269 minutes 24, seconds read

82.2k

A garage clean out can feel overwhelming because it is rarely just “a little clutter.” It is usually years of delayed decisions packed into one space, including bulky junk, old tools, broken equipment, leftover renovation materials, and boxes you have not opened in forever. If you are trying to figure out the best way to clean out a garage, the goal is not to reorganize piles. The goal is to remove what no longer belongs, quickly and safely, so the space becomes usable again.

At Jiffy Junk, we handle garage clean outs every day, and we have learned that the best results come from following a proven order of operations. Most people lose time by sorting item-by-item with no system, or by trying to buy storage solutions before they have cleared the floor. The cleanouts that go fastest always start the same way: clear a walkway, sort in batches, and remove junk immediately. Once the clutter is gone, organizing what stays becomes simple, and the garage stays cleaner for longer.

This guide breaks down the best way to clean out a garage step-by-step, including what to do first, what to toss vs. donate, how to handle bulky items, and how to reset the space so you do not end up right back where you started.

TL;DR Quick Answers

garage clean out

A garage clean out means removing clutter and junk so your garage becomes usable again. At Jiffy Junk, the fastest cleanouts follow one simple order:

Clear a walkway first (create space + safety)
Sort fast: Keep / Donate / Trash / Junk Removal
Remove junk immediately (do not make piles you will move twice)
Clean the empty space (sweep, wipe, check for damage)
Organize last using zones + vertical storage

Jiffy Junk insight: The best garage cleanouts are won in the removal phase. Once junk is out, the rest is easy.

Top Takeaways

Remove clutter first. Don’t waste time organizing junk.
Sort with 4 piles. Keep / Donate / Trash / Junk Removal.
Clear a walkway early. It creates space, safety, and momentum.
Haul bulky items out fast. The sooner the floor opens up, the faster the cleanout goes.
Use the golden rule. Remove first. Organize last. Don’t store uncertainty.

The best way to clean out a garage starts with one decision: what you want the garage to be when you are done. Do you want to park a car inside, create storage space, build a small workshop, or simply make it safe and walkable again? A clear goal keeps you from wasting time organizing clutter that should be removed.

Use a Simple Sorting System (So You Do Not Get Stuck)

Garages become overwhelming when you try to make decisions item-by-item. The fastest cleanouts follow a simple sorting system:

Keep: Items you use and will store properly
Donate/Sell: Items in good condition you no longer need
Trash/Recycling: Broken, expired, or unusable items
Junk Removal: Bulky items and large piles that need hauling

This approach prevents decision fatigue and helps you move through the cleanout quickly.

Clear a Walkway First for Instant Progress

If your garage is packed, do not start by pulling everything out. Start by clearing a walkway from the garage door inward. This creates space to work, improves safety, and builds momentum fast. It also makes it easier to carry items out as you sort.

Remove Junk Immediately Instead of Creating Piles

One of the biggest mistakes in a garage clean out is making “junk piles” that sit for days. That slows everything down and makes the garage feel even more crowded. The best method is to remove junk as you go, especially bulky items that block floor space.

At Jiffy Junk, we see cleanouts move dramatically faster when homeowners focus on removal early instead of rearranging clutter.

Clean the Garage While It Is Empty

Once you open up the space, take advantage of it. Sweep the floor, remove cobwebs, wipe shelves, and check for leaks or water damage. This step is quick, but it makes the garage feel completely different and helps reset the space properly.

Organize What Stays Using Zones and Vertical Storage

After the junk is gone, organizing becomes simple. Create zones based on how items are used:

Tools and DIY
Outdoor and lawn equipment
Sports and hobby gear
Seasonal décor
Household storage

Then use vertical space to keep the floor clear, such as wall hooks, shelving, and overhead racks. A clean garage stays clean longer when everything has a designated home.

Keep the Garage Clean Long-Term

The best garage cleanout is the one you do only once. To prevent clutter from returning:

Do not store items you are unsure about
Label bins and keep categories simple
Store frequently used items near the front
Remove new junk regularly instead of letting it pile up

The best rule is easy to remember: remove first, organize last, and do not store uncertainty—especially before booking a junk removal service.

“After cleaning out garages every day, we’ve learned the best cleanouts aren’t about working harder, they’re about working in the right order. At Jiffy Junk, the fastest transformations happen when you clear a walkway first, sort in batches, and remove junk immediately. Once the clutter is gone, organizing what stays becomes simple, and the garage actually stays clean.”

Essential Resources

EPA Household Hazardous Waste Guide — Handle Chemicals the Safe Way

Garages often hold items like paints, cleaners, and oils that can be dangerous if tossed in the trash. This official EPA guide helps you identify and dispose of these materials properly, protecting your home, community, and environment.
https://www.epa.gov/hw/household-hazardous-waste-hhw

EPA Used Battery Recycling — Avoid Fire Hazards and Recycle Responsibly

Loose batteries create fire risks during cleanouts. This EPA resource explains how to store and recycle household batteries safely so you can remove clutter without unnecessary hazards.
https://www.epa.gov/recycle/used-household-batteries

Habitat for Humanity ReStores — Donate More Than Just Junk

Instead of throwing away tools, furniture, or building materials, consider donating them to ReStores. These nonprofit outlets sell donated items to fund affordable housing projects, keeping usable goods out of the landfill.
https://www.habitat.org/restores

EPA Waste Management Guidance — Know the Rules Before You Dispose

This comprehensive EPA resource breaks down how solid waste and recyclables should be handled. If you want to make informed, compliant disposal decisions during your garage cleanout, this is a great reference.
https://www.epa.gov/regulatory-information-topic/regulatory-and-guidance-information-topic-waste

Frontier Waste Garage Cleanout Services Guide — Understand Your Cleanout Options

This homeowner-focused guide explains what full garage cleanout services include, how professional help works, and how to prepare for hauling and disposal. Use it to compare DIY vs. pro cleanouts.
https://frontierwaste.com/resources/garage-clean-out-services-guide/

EngineerFix Step-by-Step Cleanout Guide — Follow an Order That Works

If you want a practical, no-nonsense checklist for sorting, removing, and resetting your garage, this guide lays out a clear sequence to follow. It’s great for planning your cleanout before the hauling team arrives.
https://engineerfix.com/how-to-do-a-garage-clean-out-a-step-by-step-guide/

Waste Removal USA Garage Cleanout Tips — Avoid Common Mistakes

Packed garages can be overwhelming. This resource gives you actionable tips for categorizing items, avoiding delays, and streamlining your cleanout so you keep momentum from start to finish.
https://wasteremovalusa.com/blog/garage-cleanout/

Supporting Statistics

At Jiffy Junk, we clean out garages every day. These stats support what our crews see firsthand: clutter builds fast, hazardous items pile up, and bulky junk takes over valuable space.

1) Garage clutter grows because household waste is massive

In garage cleanouts, we often find years of unused “extra stuff.”
EPA reports the U.S. generated 292.4 million tons of municipal solid waste (2018).
That equals 4.9 pounds per person per day.
Source: https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/national-overview-facts-and-figures-materials

2) Garages commonly store hazardous waste

Our crews frequently find paint, oils, solvents, pesticides, and old chemicals.
EPA Region 9 estimates 530,000 tons of household hazardous waste per year.
About 4 lbs per person per year.
About 20+ lbs per household per year.
Source: https://archive.epa.gov/region9/waste/archive/web/html/house.html

3) Tires are a major bulky clutter problem

Tires are hard to dispose of, so they sit in garages for years.
EPA reports 275 million scrap tires in U.S. stockpiles.
EPA also cites 290 million scrap tires generated (2003).
Source: https://archive.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/materials/tires/web/html/index.html

4) Donation reduces landfill waste

Many garage items are usable, not trash.
Goodwill reports 4.3+ billion pounds of donated products recovered in 2023.
Source: https://www.goodwill.org/press-releases/at-first-ever-sustainability-summit-goodwill-unveils-results-of-textile-circularity-pilot-announces-traceability-study/

Garage clutter, hazardous waste, and bulky items pile up faster than most homeowners expect, and the соst оf prіvаtе home саrе can rise when these issues create safety hazards and ongoing maintenance needs—making a timely junk removal service an important first step in keeping the home clean, functional, and manageable.