When it comes time for spring cleaning and overall decluttering in the house, the garage is often overlooked. In fact, it’s often the spot where things “for a rainy day” get stored. However, if you’re lucky enough to have a garage, it’s a great space to utilize– as long as you keep it neat and organized! From tools and sports equipment to gardening supplies and cleaning products, the key to an organized garage is to designate storage zones and stick to a layout that makes sense for you and your family.1. Start with a clean slate.The best way to organize your garage is to take everything out of the garage. If you try to organize the space while everything is still inside, it can quickly turn into an overwhelming mess. Hopefully, you can enlist a few friends or family members to help you with clearing everything out– if not, just take it step by step and be sure to set aside a good chunk of time (which could mean a couple of days, depending on the size and amount of clutter you’re starting with). Create piles with things that are similar grouped together. You can also create ‘donate’, ‘sell’, and ‘trash’ piles for things you no longer use or need. From there, you’ll be able to have a better idea of what it is you actually need to organize and make room for!2. Speaking of ‘clean slate’, now it’s time to DEEP clean.Garages are subject to a lot of dirt and grime. Before you start organizing everything nice and tidy, you’ll want to be sure your garage is fresh and clean. Break out the sponges, brooms, bleach, and vinegar for this project! If you store vehicles in your garage, be sure to mop the floor and remove motor oil stains by laying out clay cat litter to absorb the oil and dish soap to cut through the grease. Then, use a wire scrub brush to really dig in and remove everything from the surface.3. Keep it UP!Get things up off the ground and into cabinets and other storage spaces! A garage is much easier to keep neat and tidy when you have space to move around. Plus, it’s nice to be able to use your garage for its original intention… storing a car or other large items! Don’t let things pile up on the floor– and that includes basketballs, shoes, storage bins, etc. Make a habit of putting things where they belong (i.e. designated shelves, hooks, etc.) and resist the urge to toss them on the ground.4. Create sensible storage solutions.If you decide to use bins, either use clear bins or clearly labeled bins so that you know where everything is when you need it. Also be sure to organize in a way that makes sense for you; for example, seasonal decor can be placed high and out of the way for most of the year, while tools or other things you use more frequently should be placed in easy-to-access spots. If you install shelving, make sure it is sturdy enough to hold what you intend to place on it.5. Think outside of the box (or bin)!While it’s easy to spend a lot of money on storage solutions, that doesn’t have to be the case when organizing your garage. From old shoe boxes to old bookshelves, plenty of items can be utilized for storage solutions. Even old sauce and soup jars can be used to store nails, brushes, and other small items.Of course, there is no one right way to organize a garage. You may have more sports equipment, an extra fridge, pantry items, woodworking supplies, or a classic car… every garage is different! Be sure to try different things and space-saving techniques until you find the best system that makes your garage work for you and your family.

Find Mosquitoes Hiding in Your Home Before They Find You.Do you wake up with more bumps on your arms and legs than an alligator's back? Then it's time to declare war on the mosquitoes in your home. Most mosquitoes attack at night. Killing a few of the tiny bloodsuckers in the daytime isn't enough. Mosquito armies are waiting in the wings. The best way to end your indoor mosquito problem is to target them in their hiding places. First, know your enemy. Before you begin hunting mosquitoes in your house, here are some helpful facts about the tiny bloodsuckers.● Only female mosquitoes crave blood which they need to develop their eggs.● A female mosquito can produce up to 5,000 eggs in her one-month life span.● Mosquitoes lay eggs in shallow water or on damp surfaces, where eggs will sit   until there’s just enough water to hatch.● It takes about eight days for a mosquito to go from larvae to adulthood.● Mosquitoes don't see well. They use their incredible sense of smell to find water and you. A Good Offence is the Best Mosquito DefenseMosquitoes thrive in their natural habitat outdoors, and there's only so much you can do to stop them. But you can take precautions to prevent them from moving indoors.● Seal openings or cracks around your windows and doors.● Repair holes in door and window screens.● Never leave entrances and garage doors open.● Avoid placing mosquito-attracting plants, such as water lilies, near entrances.● Keep your air conditioner drain clean and water-free. Grab a flashlight and start hunting for the mosquitoes hiding in your home.BedroomMosquitoes are attracted by your warm breath, which they can sense from up to 150 feet away. The perfect time for mosquitoes to strike is while you're sleeping. And there's no better place to wait for you to fall asleep than under your bed, where it's always dark. Your relaxed breathing lures them out of hiding. Your exposed arms and legs are surefire targets. Mosquitoes are the real monsters under your bed. They also hide in closets, drawers, under furniture, behind doors, and even in carpets and rugs.The SolutionGive mosquitoes fewer places to hide. Declutter your bedroom. Remove dirty clothes and linen promptly. Eliminate the hungry hordes under the bed with mosquito repellent sprays, following directions closely. Laundry RoomMosquitoes love the way humans smell, especially when you're sweaty. Your dirty laundry basket is an open invitation to mosquitoes looking for a place to hide. They cannot resist the bacteria in your sweat-scented clothing and linen. They can quickly take advantage of dampness in your laundry room to lay their eggs. A few drops of standing water can lead to new generations of mosquitoes in just days.The SolutionDo your laundry promptly. Don't leave sweaty or dirty clothing and linens unattended for even a short time. Empty and scrub water basins, buckets, and sinks. Keep the area around the washer and dryer clean and dry. Bathroom & Kitchen DrainA mosquito infestation can start in a clogged drainpipe. The area underneath your bathroom or kitchen sink is a mosquito's dream home. With enough darkness for hiding and dampness for breeding, it's their safe place after a blood feast.The SolutionClear out mosquito-infested drains by pouring baking soda and vinegar, then flush with hot water. Check often for leaks or standing water. Keep towels and sponges clean and dry. Potted Plants & FlowersMosquitoes instinctively gravitate towards your indoor plants. Dense potted plants make hiding easy, and the moist soil is prepped for their eggs. The water in fresh-cut flowers is a female mosquito magnet.The SolutionYou don't need to banish plants and fresh-cut flowers from your home. Drain and clean plant saucers thoroughly before they become a mosquito nursery. Refresh water vases often.Not all plants are mosquito-friendly. Mosquitoes hate the smell of basil, thyme, rosemary, or sage. Start an indoor herb garden, and they will be highly offended. They'll find it even more repelling when you crush the leaves to release the oils. Mosquito Proof Your Home Your home can be a mosquito-free zone. Examine their favorite hide-outs often. Keep dark areas clean and dry. Be on the lookout for standing water. Wipe away moisture around your air conditioner and discard water in air humidifiers.Turn the mosquitoes' smelling superpower against them. Bring in all the scents they hate, such as lavender, peppermint, lemongrass, and camphor—place oil-scented sachets or containers in drawers, closets, and under furniture.To find the mosquitoes hiding in your home, you need to think like a mosquito. If not, you could wake up looking like an alligator.