How to Clean Your Garage and Your Honda in 12 Easy Steps

Let’s face it, surviving this year’s brutally frigid winter here in Ann Arbor, Michigan was difficult, to say the least. But now that spring is finally here and the weather is starting to warm up (sort of), it’s time to shake off the winter doldrums and celebrate with an annual ritual near and dear to everyone’s heart: Spring Cleaning.

Stop looking at us that way. We’re serious.

Probably the last thing you want to think about right now is cleaning out your garage. After all, Game of Thrones is coming back soon, right? And of course there’s March Madness (go Wolverines!), and the start of major league baseball to think about. That’s a lot of distractions, we know. But, hey, when is the last time you were able to park a car in there, anyway?

Speaking of cars, we also want to encourage you to give your vehicle a thorough spring cleaning as well. Naturally, we here at Germain Honda of Ann Arbor are partial to Hondas. However, our automotive spring cleaning tips apply to just about any make or model vehicle.

To help inspire and motivate you, we’ve gathered together a list of 12 easy Spring Cleaning steps that will make both your garage and your Honda the envy of the neighborhood.

So let’s get started. (You’re recording Game of Thrones and the NCAA tournament, anyway.)

1. Empty out your garage –Take everything out of your garage and pile it all up in your driveway or front lawn. And don’t be shy. Involve family and friends in the process. Some pizza and soft drinks can go a long way.
2. Keep it. Sell it. Trash it. – Remember the hit song from the movie “Frozen?” You’ll just have to “let it go.” Organize your stuff into four piles: Donate. Sell. Trash. Keep. Then have a garage sale, or donate unwanted items to your favorite charity. And be sure to properly dispose of any old paint or chemicals.
3. Take a broom to it – Now that everything’s out of the garage (mostly), you can give it a thorough cleaning. There are products available at your local home improvement store for those unsightly oil and grease spots. Giving your garage a fresh coat of paint will also do wonders, as well as encourage you to keep it clean.
4. Get things off the floor – Cleaning experts say that one of the most important things you can do to unclutter your garage is to get as much stuff off the floor as possible. Accomplish this by getting some heavy duty hooks and holders which are designed for brooms, rakes, mops, or anything with a handle. You can even install ceiling-mounted, drop-down shelving which work great for larger, bulkier objects. Open shelving helps to organize items and keep them off the floor.
5. Consolidate and organize – Group similar items together which make them easier to find. For example, household cleaners, paper towels, canned beverages, garden equipment, and the like.
6. Find new uses for your garage – You don’t necessarily need to park your Honda in your garage (although we still think that’s a good idea). Rather, use your imagination. Now there’s room for crafts, hobbies, and other uses too numerous to mention
7. Box it, label it, and store it – Invest in some clear stackable bins in different sizes for different items. And banker boxes, available at most office supply stores, are great for storing papers. The key here is to clearly label everything making it much easier to find what you need quickly and easily.

It takes a lot of hard work and commitment to give your garage a good spring cleaning. But in the end, you will have reclaimed usable space and gotten rid of a lot of junk that, frankly, you really didn’t need.

As we said earlier, your Honda is just as deserving of a spring cleaning as your garage. It simply makes sense to keep your Honda in good shape for the miles ahead. The good news is that cleaning and servicing your Honda (or other vehicle) is not nearly as labor-intensive as cleaning your garage. So here are some spring cleaning car care tips we think you’ll appreciate:

Clean the engine and undercarriage – grime, dirt, or grease can actually harm your engine by making it run hotter than normal. Having the engine compartment professionally steam cleaned is a great idea. Or, if you plan on doing it yourself, remember to cover any electrical parts like the battery, fuse box, etc., with plastic. Wait until the engine is completely dry before starting it. It’s also important to pressure wash your car’s underbody to remove harmful salt and other corrosive buildup.

1. Restore your exterior paint and interior surfaces– The nasty Michigan winters can really damage your paint job, as well as wreak havoc on rubber and plastic. We recommend waxing it with a good quality paste or liquid wax. Or you can choose to have your vehicle professionally detailed. Our Parts Department here at Germain Honda of Ann Arbor stocks a variety of products specially made to clean and protect your Honda inside and out.
2. Check your wiper blades – Visually inspect your windshield wiper blades for any signs of wear. It’s a good rule of thumb to replace wiper blades at least once, if not twice, a year. We stock the right wiper blades for your Honda, and we’ll be happy to install them for you. (By the way, we service all makes and models of automobiles.)
3. Inspect your tires – When the temperature changes from frigid to warm, it affects tire pressure. That’s why you should check your tire pressure about once a month and inflate your tires to the correct pressure, which usually can be found on the inside of the driver’s side door.  Also look for signs of uneven tread wear, or cracks/gouges in the sidewalls, Rotate your tires based on manufacturer’s recommendations found in your Honda owner’s manual.  Our certified Honda technicians will be happy to inspect your tires and alignment, if needed.
4. Visually inspect fluids and oil/transmission levels – Clear plastic reservoirs for brake, power steering, and windshield washer fluids in today’s Hondas make it simple for you to check them. If you decide to add fluids yourself, always use a clean, unopened container to avoid contamination. Another important fluid to check is your coolant level. There’s usually no need to open the radiator cap itself. Rather, check the overflow reservoir and add the correct coolant that’s specified for your engine. It’s best to do this when the engine is cold. Most importantly, check your oil and transmission fluid regularly. Our certified Honda service professionals will be happy to perform these maintenance items for you. And be sure to check out our service specials and money-saving coupons on our website.

Clean Up with a Great Springtime Deal on a New Honda

As the top-selling Honda dealership in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Germain Honda of Ann Arbor is your headquarters for spectacular springtime savings. Take advantage of our major markdowns and manufacturer incentives on a wide selection of new 2015 Hondas, like the new 2015 Honda CR-V, which earned Motor Trend Magazine’s prestigious “SUV of the Year.” We’re proud that DealerRater.com has named us a 2015 Honda Michigan Dealer of the Year for the second year in a row! Visit our showroom, conveniently located at 2601 South State Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. For Sales, call 888-841-3056. For Service, call 888-842-7005.
Sources:

https://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2013/03/21/spring-cleaning-your-car/

https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/698572/list/6-garage-organizing-tips-that-really-work

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