It’s ironic — you store your car in your garage to keep it safe, but many of America’s garages are simply not safe surroundings. Cars can easily get damaged in a garage if you don’t pay attention to clutter and organization. Here are 3 ways to protect your car, control the mess, and get a handle on your organization for a safer garage.
Organize the Clutter
The first step is to get control of the clutter. The number one risk to cars in the garage is a disorganized mess. Boxes can fall on your car. Lawn tools, sports equipment, and other garage memorabilia can scratch and damage your car. Start by deciding what can stay and what needs to go. Organize stuff into 3 piles — keep, donate, and pitch. And don’t be shy about it. If you won’t conceivably use the item in the next year, donate or pitch it. Messes are built on good intentions of saving useless junk for a “rainy day.”
Install a Marker So You Know Where to Stop the Car
Another big risk to your car is not knowing where to stop the car. It can be difficult to spot space differences over the steering wheel, especially when you’re tired returning from a hard day at work. Install some sort of a marker so you know where to stop the car. Our favorite method is a plastic cat toy on a string hung from the ceiling. It won’t hurt your car, but you always know where to stop.
Add Bumper Pads Against Potentially Damaging Objects
Finally, install bumper pads against any potentially damaging objects — the back wall, that dividing post in the middle of your garage. This will not only protect your car if you should miss your spotting marker, but it can also protect doors from being swung into the objects. (This is especially true if you’ve got kids!) Pool noodles make great protection, as does any kind of foam pad. Strap your protection on with bungee cords.