How to empty out your tool shed
Pre-Move Activities - April 27, 2019
Sheds are a great place to store your tools, but as we all know it, usually it doesn’t end there. Most people will dump many things that they don’t want to keep around the house and clutter is made in no time. It’s no picnic to empty out your tool shed and organize it properly, but it’s something that you have to do from time to time. With the right tips and tricks, that doesn’t have to be such a demanding chore.
Physically empty out your tool shed and declutter it
Especially if you’re moving to the new home. When you’re relocating, this is the task that you shouldn’t prolong. If you are hiring expert movers Millbury MA, you can take advantage of their packing services and let professional packers do the work for you. Still, while they will pack all of the content of your shed, it’s up to you to decide what to keep.
Either way, decluttering your tool shed is the first step that you have to take. Until you get rid of all the things that you really don’t need, your shed will always be messy and filled with clutter.

How to empty out your tool shed:
- Take out the trash – First, get rid of any trash that is in your shed. Even if you don’t think that you have any, you will be surprised how much actual trash is in your shed. Old newspaper, dirty rags, empty cans, etc. If you have too much trash, think about hiring a professional junk removal service.
- Bring all the items outside – When you take the items that are in the shed to the open, you will see more clearly which things you actually need to keep. After you empty out your tool shed, sort all the items into three piles: keep, bin and donate/sell.
- Focus on the things you wish to keep – When you determine which stuff you want to keep, clean and categorize them. For example, make a pile for gardening, Christmas decoration, tool pile, etc.
Additional tip: If you have some things that you don’t need, but are in good condition, why wouldn’t you make a few bucks off of them? You just need to organize a yard sale, which is the best way to sell your items very quickly.
Cleaning your tool shed in and out
Before you bring back the items into your shed or pack them into moving boxes, shift your attention to your shed. It may be the first time in a long while to see your shed empty. Take that advantage and think about the ways to better exploit that space. The picture will be clearer when you clean the entire space, in and out.
Tips for cleaning the inside after you empty out your tool shed:
- Sweep and clean the floor
- Brush any cobwebs away
- Use a dry cloth to wipe down the walls
- Clean the windows if your shed has any
- Mopping the floor with hard disinfection cleaning supplies
Tips for cleaning the outside of your tool shed:
- Use a pressure washer to blast away any green moss or mud off the outside’s walls
- Wipe the door clean with a damp cloth or sponge
- Pull any weeds that are growing around the shed
Another benefit that you will get when you empty out your tool shed and clean it thoroughly is that you can check if there is any structural damage. Keep an eye on mold, rotting wood, leaking roof, or cracked walls.

Once you empty out your tool shed, it’s time to organize it
Even if the tools are the only items that you store in your tool shed, some organization plan is in order.
When your items and your shed are squeaky clean it’s time to bring them back into the shed.
In order to make things more organized, take a step back and determine whether you are maximizing the space. If that’s not the case, figure out the way that will allow you to do that.
Here are some tool shed organizing tips that may be useful to you:
Clear the floor
When organizing your shed, make it to your liking. Maybe the lining of your tools makes no sense to your friends. As long as it works for you, that’s the right way to do it.
Still, try to incorporate some safety precautions into organizing the shed. Try to keep the floor space clear, in order to avoid bumping into things. Not only that you can earn painful toe injuries, but you can also have a nasty fall. In fact, fall is the most common home accident, that can have severe consequences. Especially in the tool shed, that contains many sharp objects.
Also, having everything off the floor will make it easier to clean, so you won’t have to empty out your tool shed any time it gets dusty.
Shelving
Wall shelves are a clever way to use the space of your tool shed to the maximum. They are also great for storing plenty of medium to small sized items that are easily lost in the crowded shed. You can put shelves across the length of an entire wall or opt out for single free-standing units. Whatever suits your needs better.
Hooks
For heavy tools that shelves can’t support, hooks are a great solution. Surely, you can lean them on the wall, but there’s a risk of tripping on them. Hanging items on hooks is a much safer and convenient solution, especially for gardening tools.

Boxes and Containers
Plastic boxes or metal containers will keep your things safe from humidity and mold. Stackable boxes and containers are a great storage solution for the tool shed. If you’ve recently moved, and you don’t know what to do with leftover cardboard boxes, you can use them for this purpose.
Keep everything labeled
After you empty out your tool shed and organize it, label your items. That way, you won’t waste time or make a mess by searching for a certain object. We often think that we won’t forget where we place items, but if you don’t have a photographic memory, you will. By labeling your items, you will know exactly where everything is in your tool shed.