Welcome to another column of Clutter to Clarity, where we share insights and tips on decluttering, home organization and feng shui design.

If this is your first read… welcome.

If you are a regular reader, welcome back.

This month, APRIL, is very special for the organizer in all of us. For April welcomes SPRINGTIME.

Longer days of sunshine create mood swings that enhance our well-being. We can spend more hours of daylight doing what we do. For some, it means getting outdoors, planting, working the earth and beautifying. For others, we welcome the time of opening our windows wide, washing those windows, blinds and creating a new season (yes, even in South Florida) of love, light and clean.

For interior organizing, the biggest, best area to “tackle,” “conquer,” “attend to” is the two-car garage. We all know and have used the garage as the “dumping zone” for things that “don’t fit anywhere else.” It makes perfect sense. South Florida homes are limited, typically, in their storage space of closets. It’s just that we rarely see closets big enough to hold enough, so the garage becomes our saving grace.

Now, take a look and let’s get down to it, shall we? Here’s how I declutter and beautify the garage:

1. Pay specific attention to the door that leads to the interior. Many have laundry rooms there, some have mud rooms, and some head into the kitchen area. No matter where your garage interior door leads, it’s time to give it some TLC. For in feng shui principles, the entrance/exit is an important energy zone. We need to TIDY UP and OPEN UP this doorway path, usually congested.

2. How to open up the congestion? First, remove all the mops, brooms, rakes and assorted poles from this doorway. They are unsightly, tripping hazards, and we can do better.

3. Remove the “easy to reach” items off the shelves and consider washing the shelves throughout the garage. Those paper towels from Costco, those boxes of bathroom tissue, rolls of toilet paper and extra items. Good to have them “close” to the door, but not to suffocate and close off the entry/exit way… provide more space, open up this area for better flow.

4. Sodas, drinks, waters and the like. We generally keep these close to the door as well. All well and good. Just, again, space things out so you’re not tripping over your items.

5. Consider a new floor mat. How worn down is your current mat? Is it filled with dust, dirt and debris? Invest under $20 to refresh your entryway and offer more “cushioning” for a softer landing, and a fresh welcome.

6. Sweeping. Allow yourself multiple sweeps. At least two passes to sweep the floors creating a better vibe of clean. It takes multiple passes to get all the dust, dirt, fallen soil, spots, grease and other gunk off the floor. Do it many times. It’s a good exercise routine! Wear a mask, open a window, so you’re not inhaling this stuff!

7. The laundry zone. If you have a washer/dryer in the garage, continue your spring thing by clearing this area, removing all the items from the shelf, cleaning and then purposely, deliberately, place the items you really need by these workhorses. Consider donating, discarding old rags, samples, and weird wires and bottle caps that somehow find their way to this area. With a cleaner, organized laundry zone, you’ll feel better doing the laundry. Take pride.

8. Everything else!!! I’ve outlined two areas to start. The doorway and the laundry zone. But there’s all those TOOLS, BICYCLES, GARDEN SUPPLIES, CHEMICALS, PAINTS, that old antique refinishing project and old screen doors… just a myriad of items. Here’s how to handle it.

9. Open the garage door, and start in a corner. I tend to work clockwise, and, well, wherever you feel most comfortable. Usually that left side has rakes, old wood remnants, some old tires and who knows what else. REMOVE THESE ITEMS, one section at a time. Remove and place in the driveway.

10. Sweep, sweep, sweep. These garage door openings usually have a lot of piled up grass clippings, soil, dirt and dust. Be mindful of the “electronic eyes” that help open and close the door. Avoid moving them out of alignment, or your door won’t work properly.

11. After sweeping, you have a choice. Look at those wood scraps, those cracked extra tiles, those barrel roof extra tiles and determine what you want to keep, donate or trash. Consider how little you use these things and begin to purge.

12. As you make your way around, there may be floor-to-ceiling piles, shelves, cabinets. Empty them out. Yes… Completely! (start in stages if its simply TMS (Too Much Stuff). Once emptied, and you can do this quickly (no thinking)… scrub, wash, replace or remove unwanted grime, grossness and dirt. Starting with clean shelves is like a new canvas for creating a more workable, lovable space.

13. Now, once the shelves are “rehabilitated,” now is when we decide “Should it stay or should it go now?” Be deliberate, work the plan of discarding old junky half bottles of bug spray, ant and roach cleaner, and be sure to put “like things” together. My fave finds are cans of WD-40. We generally buy new cans rather than sift through junky shelves to find the old ones. Result: lots of cans of the same amazing spray. No biggie, just put them together like you’d see organized in a store.

14. Some garages just have WAY too much stuff. Others less so. Depending on your volume, energy level and time, you can ORGANIZE and DECLUTTER all in one day. For some, it’s a weekend, and for others… a lifetime.

Bottom line? Turn up the tunes, start early in the day, wear close toed shoes (no dropsies on toesies) and smile, you are taking control of your home, your energy and your safety.

Need help? That’s what I’m here for… call, text message, email, contact me, David Hall, for a FREE consult, over the phone to start, then a walkthrough, all at no charge. Then, with a strategy, a timeline and commitment, we can clear the clutter together! (Hint, it’s a lot faster, smoother and generally more fun working together!!!) Have a wonderful April and be well, shine your light and get going on these projects.

Clear the Clutter… Clear the Mind™