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5 Steps: Clean & Organize Your Garage

In a perfect world, the garage is where a father teaches his son about what’s under the hood, where neighbors visit after a long day yard work, and where there is a place for everything and everything is in its place.

 

For most of us, however, the world is not perfect, and the garage can be characterized as a domestic dumping ground. Knickknacks accumulate without rhyme or reason, forming stacks that tower to the ceiling, rendering the space impossible to fully utilize. But the garage has the potential to be so much more!

 

When your possessions are in their proper places, the garage becomes a delightfully practical, useful space—BUT, it doesn’t get to that point on it’s own. Clean out and organize your garage following these useful steps.

 

Step 1: Empty the garage & Sort

As much as you don’t want to, it must be done. Everything, right down to the last tiny Allen wrench, needs to be taken out of your garage. It’s the only way you’ll be able to clean effectively and rediscover all the treasures lost ages ago, including your collection of baseball cards—now vintage!

 

Starting with the first item you pull out, sort your belongings and arrange them into categories. Gather all of your sporting equipment together in one spot, then your tools, lawn gear, camping gear, decorations and so on. Sorting like items is a key step in the organization process not only when you are sorting but when putting things back into their established zones.

 

Step 2: Start Purging!

To purge, start by making four piles: pitch, donate, recycle, keep. As you purge, place each item into its respective category. Get rid of anything that is broken or things you haven’t used in over a year. Return items that don’t belong to you or belong somewhere else other than the garage. Get rid of duplicates.

 

If you’re having trouble getting rid of stuff remember to ask yourself these questions: Do I love it? Do I use it? Have I used it in the last year? Do I really need it? If not…put them in the donate, pitch or recycle piles.

 

Step 3: Take Inventory of What You Have

Now that you’ve cut down all of your stuff, take inventory of what you are keeping that way you’ll have a better understanding of the type of storage system that would be best suited to store each item.

 

Step 4: Clean the garage

Now that the garage is empty, it’s time to pull out the shop vac and suck up the dust bunnies, cobwebs and insects that have trapped themselves behind your workbench. Start from the ceiling and work your way to the floor. More than likely your concrete garage floor will have built up grime from oil, dirt and road salt. While you may not be able to get rid of the stains completely, using a push broom with extra strong bristles will loosen the grime.  A hose or power washer can then be used to rinse away the dirt. To clean tougher stains, use laundry detergent mixed with warm or hot water. 

 

Step 5: Install Garage organization and Storage Systems

Having already taken inventory of your, you should now have a good sense of what actually needs to go back in. Use this list to purchase and install appropriately sized cabinet storage systems, overhead storage racks, bike racks, hooks, shelves, and storage lifts. These items will restore order to your garage by providing a specific place for each of your belongings. Ideally, only your car and heavy equipment like a lawnmower will occupy the floor space of your garage, allowing you to easily maneuver items in and out when the time comes.

 

Stick to the task…

Attempting to organize a space as large as the garage can be a daunting task for most of us. For almost a decade, EncoreGarage has helped homeowners in the Akron, Cleveland, Columbus and Pittsburgh areas maximize the potential of their garage space. From this knowledge base we have created this guide to help eliminate the frustration and anxiety while attempting a project of this magnitude.

 

EncoreGarage is a full-service garage makeover company that offers custom installed garage storage systems and FLEXCORE™ advanced polymer Floor Coating Systems. EncoreGarage of Ohio serves clients in the Greater Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Columbus, and Pittsburgh areas.

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IMAGINE A BEAUTIFUL AND ORGANIZED SPACE EVERY TIME YOU ENTER YOUR GARAGE

January 23, 2025
Remember how your mom used to tell you, “There’s a place for everything and everything has its place?” Well, turns out she was right. Studies have shown that organization reduces stress and anxiety while boosting productivity. The simple act of decluttering your life is good for your mental health. The convenience of saving time looking for things and the confidence of knowing where everything is create a sense of calm and well-being. Meet Susan Klein, a recent client of ours. As a retiree, along with her husband Johnny, she’s a good example of our clientele. When a malfunctioning furnace damaged the cabinetry in her garage, she was forced to take a long look at all the clutter and didn’t like what she saw. “We not only had duplicates of most things, we had triplicates,” she says laughing. “I called several garage makeover companies and Mike called me back right away and made an appointment for a consultation.” She told me she needed to “adult-proof” her garage space. They’d lived there for 20 years after downsizing, and it was time for a purge. Before we created a plan for the space, we spent a lot of time going over the items the couple needs on a daily basis and those they don’t access often and can be placed in longer-term storage, like holiday decorations. “It was great to know that Mike was both the owner of the company and the only person we’d be working with,” she says. “I also liked knowing he could do everything to make over my garage, flooring, cabinetry, reorganization and painting. They even painted the whole garage, which turned out beautiful.” Since it’s a 3.5-car garage with space for a golf cart, there was a lot of space to work with. “Now that it’s completed, I feel less stress every time I drive in or leave,” she says. “If I’d known how much it would lower my blood pressure, I’d have done it years ago!”  Get started with a free consultation from Encore Garage Ohio by calling 330-922-4411 or visiting EncoreGarageOhio.com .

WINTER-READY GARAGE FLOORS

January 23, 2025
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, sort of like the Grinch stealing Christmas, but snow, sleet, slush and road salt are on their way to town. Nothing deteriorates concrete like the winter elements. No matter how bad the shape of your garage floor—chipped, stained, falling apart—we offer a beautiful and functional solution: the Flex-Core Polyaspartic floor coating system. Our service technicians can restore the surface, then seal it and resurface it with decorative epoxy flakes that look like fine terrazzo. The result is gorgeous, durable, long-lasting and easy to maintain. For a clean and pristine surface, just hose it, mop it or squeegee it. And, no worries about stains going forward, as your new flooring will repel oil, grease, paint and road salt. The finished floor is also slip-resistant. We only work with the best quality commercial-grade materials, head and shoulders above what you’d buy in a big box store. Our customers love the selection of styles and colors. Those who are passionate alums of their colleges have fun choosing their school colors. We’ve done lots of jobs in scarlet and gray, for instance. Give us a call before the snow starts falling and winterize your garage for years to come. In addition to flooring, we also install custom cabinetry and smart storage organization.  For a free consultation, call EncoreGarage Ohio at 330-922-4411 . For more information visit EncoreGarageOhio.com .

SPICE UP YOUR GARAGE SPACE

January 23, 2025
Would you like to be the envy of all your neighbors just by pressing your garage door opener? Over the past 20-plus years, we’ve transformed garages from dark and dingy to bright and beautiful. It all begins with our FlexCore polyaspartic coating system, with the most advanced polymers available for residential garage floors. The three benefits to our flooring are that it preserves the underlying concrete and stops deterioration from salt and moisture, it’s esthetically pleasing, you can select from designer colors, and it’s a breeze to keep clean, you just quick mop and squeegee. Our high-quality, seamless, polymer composition permanently bonds to the concrete. After the application, your floor will repel chemicals and stains while remaining slip-resistant. While there are many floor coatings out there, I like to consider ours head and shoulders above the rest in terms of quality and installation. We make the process easy. The work is done in as little as two to three days and you don’t need to be there when we do it. Come home to a beautiful new space that’ll make you happy every time you pull in the driveway. In addition to flooring, we also do organizational systems, cabinetry, painting and lighting.  Get started with a free consultation from Encore Garage Ohio by calling 330-922-4411 or visiting EncoreGarageOhio.com .

TAKE BACK THE GARAGE

January 23, 2025
"We wish we did this years ago.” I hear that from most customers after we’ve transformed their garage from a junk pile to an inviting and organized space. Trust me, there’s nothing more uplifting than purging with purpose. It’s the clutter in your life that could be weighing you down. Think about it, the first thing you see when coming home and the last thing when leaving is your garage. Is it working for you? Does it put you in a good frame of mind to conquer your days and nights? Or do you mindlessly shuffle past piles of junk, old bikes, dusty golf clubs and tools you can’t identify. This list goes on and on. Purging with purpose is easier than it seems. Block off an hour or two and make three piles in your driveway, what to toss, donate and keep. Then give us a call. We handle every aspect of floor-to-ceiling garage transformation, from Flexcore polyaspartic floor coating to organizational systems, cabinetry and even painting and lighting. Don’t you want a garage that’s the envy of all the neighbors? May is the perfect month to take a deep, cleansing breath and declutter your garage and your life. Get started with a free consultation from Encore Garage Ohio by calling 330-922-4411 or visiting EncoreGarageOhio.com .

WITH A GARAGE MAKEOVER FROM ENCORE GARAGE OHIO, YOU CAN ADD VALUE TO YOUR HOME AND RECLAIM USABLE SPACE

January 23, 2025
When is the last time a neighbor walked up to your front porch and rang your doorbell to say hello?  Nowadays, a neighbor will pop into your garage when they see you. The garage is also how most folks enter your home. Not surprisingly, homeowners are giving their garages a second look when it comes to presenting a stunning first impression that mirrors the rest of their home’s décor, as well as maximizing living space. Mimi caught up with Mike Padden, owner of Encore Garage Ohio, for insight. He’s made a name for himself over the past 20 years by offering floor-to-ceiling garage transformations. The two-part process begins with Flexcore polyaspartic floor coating for an upscale touch. Then Mike and his crew come up with the perfect fit of organizational system and custom cabinetry. “We find out about each homeowner’s lifestyle,” he says. “For instance, do they want more space to watch games on television, have overflow party space or—like me—need more play space for their grandchildren? After finishing my own garage, we installed a basketball net and taped off a court, so my grandsons can shoot hoops whenever they visit.” He reports transforming your garage is also an economical alternative to a home addition. Most three-car garages can add about 1,000 square feet of space, or as Mike likes to think of it, untapped potential. It makes practical sense. “April and May are our busiest months of the year,” he says. “Coming out of winter, people are looking to enjoy all the grad parties, family reunions and gatherings they hold outdoors. My wife and I just threw a catered party in our garage to celebrate the eclipse and it was amazing. You know the old saying that people always end up in the kitchen at a party? Well, for us, they end up hanging out in the garage.” Why not reclaim your space and turn your garage into your new front porch? Encore has to power to make it happen. Get started with a free consultation from Encore Garage Ohio by calling 330-922-4411 or visiting EncoreGarageOhio.com .

RECLAIM YOUR GARAGE

By Mimi Vanderhaven • February 7, 2024
Every family cycles through phases—and so do their garages. The Big Wheels change over to bikes and helmets, then extra furniture for when the kiddos are between college dorms and apartments. At each point along the journey, the experts at Encore Garage Ohio can help. Over the past 20 years, Encore Garage owner Mike Padden has offered trend-inspired, decorator-worthy spaces for this new frontier in home renovation. “Whether your goal is to create a cozy family room or entertaining space, or simply purge with purpose and organize your excess stuff in the garage, we can make it happen,” he says. From floor to ceiling, they do it all. Most jobs begin with Encore’s Flexcore polyaspartic floor coating, which adds a luxurious look covering old, stained concrete. It’s nonporous and repels oil, grease, paint, salt, etc. Then Mike and his seasoned crew customize organizational systems and cabinetry that’s as gorgeous as anything you’d select for a kitchen or bathroom renovation.  “Renovating your garage comes with significant value-added appeal, too, boosting any home’s esthetic appeal,” he says. “It’s no longer a domestic dumping ground, but rather prime real estate for stylish home reinvention.”

THE WINTER GRINCH IS AROUND THE CORNER

By Mike Padden • October 6, 2023
I know the last thing you want to think about right know is snow, ice, freezing temperatures and rock salt. How does a favorite winter song lyric go, “You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch?” But in a few short weeks, these cunning wintertime Grinches will be wreaking havoc on your garage floor. The time to stop these wintertime Grinches is right now—before they have the chance to do their worst. Some of you may already be living with damage from previous ravaging winters, your garage floors bearing the nasty scars from years of punishing abuse in the form of pitting, cracking, and staining. Others may have newer garage floors and wish to extend the beauty—and lifespan—of their floors before the Grinch of winter can cause damage. Regardless of where the condition of your floor falls on the spectrum, consider having it resurfaced with EncoreGarage’s Flex-Core Polyaspartic floor coating system. Our Flex-Core Polyaspartic coating system surpasses traditional epoxy coating. It is non-porous, more abrasive and stain resistant. It repels oil, grease, paint and road salt to name a few. EncoreGarage’s Flex-Core Polyaspartic Floor Coating system comes in a range of color choices that project a bright, aesthetically pleasing site when entering and exiting your garage. On top of that, there’s minimal upkeep. For a clean and pristine surface, just hose it, mop it or squeegee it. Our Encore Signature Series cabinet systems keep clutter at bay. Our customizable cabinets are garage-tough, transforming the garage of many domestic dumping grounds into a well-organized space. Now is a perfect time to have a new EncoreGarage Flex-Core Polyaspartic coating system and a Signature Series cabinet system installed, before the Grinch of winter invades your garage. 

CREATE INSTANT CURB APPEAL

By Adam Cook • August 11, 2023
The real estate landscape is starting to come back down to earth amid rising mortgage rates. Buyers are less likely to exceed the list price and pay top dollar, even as the available housing stock remains low. You can sell yourself short by giving buyers an excuse to back out or reconsider. Some buyers may not even reach the front door when they see the garage’s worn, discolored concrete floor. A simple curb appeal correction can reverse the trend and earn you top dollar, explains Mike Padden, owner of Encore Garage Ohio. Here, Mike explains the options to enhance the garage’s concrete floor. Q: How can a homeowner protect and restore the garage floor?  A: It’s better to take care of your concrete floor before another winter in Northeast Ohio rolls in, depositing another layer of salt and sludge, adding to the deterioration. Tearing the concrete out and replacing it wouldn’t add more protection than what’s there already. After the considerable cost of replacing the concrete, you could protect it with an over-the-counter clear sealer, putting time and energy into repeated labor-intensive applications. While snagging a bucket of epoxy from a big box store might save a few bucks, within 18 months you’re back to square one when it starts peeling. Our Encore Flexcore polyaspartic coating is more economical in the long run and adds value to your home, creating instant curb appeal. Q: Why is polyaspartic coating better than new concrete? A: Unlike concrete, it’s nonporous, repelling oil, grease, paint, salt, and other chemicals. That’s the beauty of it, plus it’s easy to clean.

CAN YOU DIY YOUR GARAGE FLOOR?

By Adam Cook • May 12, 2023
T he garage is what we put into it. Bit by bit, bric-a-brac piles up, and unsightly stains cover the concrete. Inevitably, homeowners reach a point and say, “enough is enough” and decide to take control. The garage is ground zero for home maintenance and refurbishing it might seem like another DIY project. But not every DIY project is worth the time, energy and expense. DIYers who snag a bucket of epoxy from a big-box store are bound to walk away dissatisfied when it starts to peel in six to 18 months. Mike Padden, owner of Encore Garage Ohio , explains how a professional can make the garage work for the DIYer instead. Q: What does a pro do differently from a do-it-yourselfer? A : Professionals have the expertise and equipment to do the job right the first time. Before applying our Encore Flexcore polyaspartic coating, we prep the surface for a superior bond the DIYer can’t get with a bottle of acid etch found in an off-the-shelf coating kit. Our diamond-studded grinders—nicknamed Zambonis, as we like to call them—expose and eliminate impurities to allow the base coat to penetrate the concrete pores and create excellent adhesion. Q: What about the flooring materials? A : Off-the-shelf, consumer-grade products are significantly diluted. Professional-grade products have 100 percent solids. The DIY kits come with a small packet of color flakes, resulting in a substandard appearance and poor wearability. We do a dense distribution until the floor rejects the chips, delivering a far more aesthetically pleasing look as part of our layering process, offering strength and traction.  Our quality control makes for a quality installation.

TAKE THAT TAX REFUND AND TRANSFORM YOUR GARAGE SPACE INTO SOMETHING YOU’LL LOVE COMING HOME TO

By Adam Cook • April 7, 2023
F or many of us, the garage is our front door, and passing through on the way in and out can be a harrowing journey. Although it might be our home’s primary entrance, it’s the last thing on the list for spring cleaning. “People feel frustrated when the time comes to clean out the ugly mess winter left because it usually means tackling more than a few months of buildup,” says Mike Padden, owner of Encore Garage Ohio . “Often, it’s years of neglect and accumulated junk as the garage turned into a domestic dumping ground. It’s enough to stress anyone out.” Enough is enough. Bikes with flat tires, balls that don’t bounce, bags of golf clubs gathering dust, outgrown scooters and a Slip ’N Slide past its prime, tools, ladders, snow shovels, bulky bottled water stacks and unpacked moving boxes all need a new place to call home. If any of these usual culprits Mike and his crew uncover describe your own garage, it’s time for a transformation. Add making your garage into something worthy of the rest of your home to the top of your to-do list. “Take a look at the garage floor, the unsightly stains and areas where salt has eaten away at the concrete,” Mike says. “We can restore it, sealing it with our Encore Flexcore polyaspartic coating system, so there’s no distracting eyesore every time you pass through the garage.” The state-of-the-art coating makes concrete better than new and comes in various colors. “The cost to put in another concrete floor is through the roof,” Mike says. “Our Encore Flexcore polyaspartic coating is economical and adds value to your home. Unlike concrete, it’s nonporous, repelling oil, grease, paint, salt and other chemicals so that these substances do not collect and get tracked inside the house. That’s the real beauty of it. On top of that, it’s low- maintenance. To clean it, simply mop it and squeegee it.” The garage is no longer just the garage. “The garage has become another room in the house that people proudly show off,” Mike says. From floor to ceiling, Encore Garage uses its know-how and system of heavy-duty cabinets, spacious work surface, sturdy organization systems, and showroom-quality lighting to reclaim and redefine the space, reinvigorating garages to their rightful places as a natural extensions of the home. “We match every job to the homeowner’s needs and personality—building a storage area and workbench for the resident gearhead or wrapping cabinets around a big- screen TV and emblazoning a Guardians logo on the wall for the sports fanatic,” Mike says. “If someone likes to garden, we can make a custom workstation to exercise a green thumb, rain or shine.” All Encore Garage’s organizational systems are custom-made. “Custom doesn’t mean costly,” Mike says. “It means we design with the homeowner to deliver the optimal organization system. We’re not pulling cabinets off the shelf like a big box store, and we mount—never hang—our cabinets 4 to 6 inches from the floor for easy cleaning. They’re what I call ‘garage-tuff’ and can withstand moisture and extreme swings in temperature. Doing the floor and remodeling the garage is usually less costly than remodeling a half-bath.” As tax season coincides with spring cleaning, it bears mentioning that transferring the momentary joy of getting a return into a garage worthy of the rest of your home can turn a harrowing journey passing through on your way and in and out into many happy returns. Top 10 Garage Clutter Culprits The technicians from EncoreGarage have come up with an amusing checklist of common items you will often find in the average Northeast Ohio garage. How many do you have? Bikes with flat tires. (More bikes than people living in the home) Golf clubs, so many golf clubs! Water bottles in bulk. (Can anyone possibly be this thirsty?) A minimum of three ladders, all the same size. Deflated balls. Too many to count. Scooters, skateboards, and skates, oh my! Tools, tools, tools. A menagerie of defunct plastic water games, such as the Slip ’N Slide that has neither slipped nor slid for many years. 9. A plethora of snow shovels. (One for every member in the house) 10. Mystery moving boxes from your last move—13 years ago.  Set the stage for a clean, organized and aesthetically pleasing extension of your home with Encore Garage Ohio, based in Akron at 1570 Akron Peninsula Road, Suite 6. Get started and visit EncoreGarageOhio.com or call 330-922-4411 to schedule a free consultation.
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