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The garage is often the most neglected space for many households. It’s the storage place for yard equipment, tools, and sports equipment while serving as the catch-all for miscellaneous items that won’t fit inside the home. This collection of stuff builds up over time, creating a cluttered, disorganized space that can make it frustratingly difficult to locate anything inside.
While one can take the time to organize the garage themselves, a better option is to hire someone else to do it. Garage-cleaning companies typically specialize in one of three services: junk removal, cleaning, or organization. Ahead, learn about what qualities to look for in each type of service and find out which companies are the best garage-cleaning services.
- BEST OVERALL: NEAT Method
- BEST FOR JUNK REMOVAL: College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving
- BEST FOR DEEP CLEANING: The Maids
- BEST AGGREGATOR: Thumbtack
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Garage Cleaning Service for You
When vetting a service, customers will want to consider the type of services the company offers to make sure they suit the customer’s needs. Other important factors to consider include service area and pricing structure. Ahead, customers can learn more about these and other attributes of garage-cleaning services.
Type of Service Offered
Garage-cleaning companies vary in how comprehensive their cleaning services are. Companies specializing in junk removal will haul away items the customer no longer wants. Cleaning services will thoroughly clean the garage space after the customer declutters it. Companies specializing in organization will help the customer devise a plan to organize the garage, so it best suits the household’s needs.
Service Area and Scheduling
When vetting residential garage-cleaning services, it’s important that the customer chooses a company that serves their area. While a customer can search for “garage cleanout services near me,” they can also head to a company’s website to see if they provide service to their home. Most national garage-cleaning services allow customers to enter their ZIP code on the company’s website to determine if their home is in the company’s service area.
After settling on a particular service, the client will need to schedule service. Garage-cleaning services vary in how clients can accomplish this. Some allow the client to schedule their garage- cleaning online, while others may require the customer to call.
Pricing Structure
The pricing structure for garage cleaning varies depending on the company’s services. Whereas junk removal services usually charge based on the weight or number of items they haul away, cleaning and organizing services usually charge by the hour. Customers will want to inquire how the company charges for their service as well as the company’s rates.
Customer Support
A good garage-cleaning service should be easy for customers to reach if there is a problem with the service or if the client simply has questions. Companies typically provide customer support via phone, and some services also allow clients to reach out via online chat or email.
Our Top Picks
Ahead, learn about the best garage-cleaning services for junk removal, deep cleaning, and organization. This list includes the top national companies to help customers find reputable service providers.
Best Overall
NEAT Method
- Type of service offered: Decluttering, organizing
- Service area: 39 states and Washington, D.C.
- Scheduling: Online
- Pricing structure: Hourly
Pros
- Full turnkey service from in-home consultation to purchasing storage solutions
- Focus on permanent, effective, and aesthetic solutions tailored to the client
- Virtual organizing services assist homeowners in tidying up without hands-on help
Cons
- Prices may be relatively high
Why It Made the Cut: NEAT provides an end-to-end solution for those who want to declutter their garage and keep it organized. NEAT Method is one of our top picks for the best home organization services, and that extends to the garage, too. While it may be one of the more expensive options, those who are serious about transforming their garage will want to consider NEAT Method. This full-service home organization company will help the customer every step, from figuring out what to throw away to organizing the space. An organizer comes to the client’s home and creates a specialized plan to ensure that the garage suits the household’s needs, which can help it remain organized going forward. NEAT Method also offers virtual organizing services that provide customers guidance at a more affordable rate than its hands-on services.
Best for Junk Removal
College HUNKS Hauling Junk u0026 Moving
- Type of service offered: Junk removal
- Service area: 39 states
- Scheduling: Online, phone
- Pricing structure: By the truckload
Pros
- 70 percent of items recycled or responsibly discarded
- Charitable partnerships with Goodwill Industries, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, and more that prioritize the donation of unwanted items over disposal
- Ongoing partnership with U.S. Hunger
Cons
- Customers risk incorrectly estimating removal needs
Why It Made the Cut: Customers can feel good about hiring College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving, which reuses or recycles 70 percent of what it hauls away and has a strong track record of supporting charities. College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving scores high marks for its junk removal services due to its responsible disposal practices. The company won’t just haul away junk from a customer’s garage—it seeks to reuse what it removes through partnerships with Goodwill Industries and Habitat for Humanity ReStore. The company recycles or reuses some 70 percent of the junk it hauls away, taking pressure off local landfills. College HUNKS also has an exceptional track record regarding charitable donations. Through its partnership with U.S. Hunger, the company provides an at-risk child with two meals for every service it completes. Customers should be aware that determining an up-front price can be tricky as College HUNKS charges based on how much space their junk takes up in the truck, which can be difficult for a customer to estimate. However, the company’s standardized pricing means customers don’t have to worry about sneaky upcharges or hidden fees.
Best for Deep Cleaning
The Maids
- Type of service offered: Deep cleaning
- Service area: 40 states and Washington, D.C.
- Scheduling: Phone
- Pricing structure: Not specified
Pros
- Thorough 22-step cleaning process
- Set teams of 3 or 4 employees for faster, more efficient cleaning
- No fee for rescheduling appointments
Cons
- Reports of quotes being significantly lower than actual cost incurred
Why It Made the Cut: With its three- or four-person teams and 22-point cleaning process, The Maids is an ideal option for thorough garage cleanings. While many people are familiar with The Maids’ house cleaning services, they may not also know that The Maids offers specialty cleaning services for areas like the garage. The Maids stands out with its use of teams of three or four technicians to cover more ground faster. And, since teams follow a 22-step cleaning process, The Maids is an excellent option for customers looking for a deep-clean garage service after the space has been cleared of any unwanted junk. In addition to its fast and thorough services, The Maids also offers a flexible cancellation policy. It requests that changes be made 24 hours in advance but doesn’t charge for rescheduling appointments. The Maids provides customers with service quotes; however, some customers report that the actual price can be significantly higher than the quote. With that in mind, clients will want to provide as many details as possible when asking for a quote to avoid surprises.
Best Aggregator
Thumbtack
- Type of service offered: Varies by provider
- Service area: 50 states and Washington, D.C.
- Scheduling: Online
- Pricing structure: Varies by provider
Pros
- Client-controlled hiring process
- Top-rated professionals recognized and highlighted
Cons
- Customers must reach out to professionals individually to obtain quotes
Why It Made the Cut: Thumbtack allows customers to choose their own service providers to meet their exact garage-cleaning needs. While there are several aggregator sites to choose from that will connect clients to service providers, few do as good a job vetting those companies as Thumbtack. The company says just 4 percent of the professionals on its site can attain its top-rating mark. These high standards make Thumbtack ideal for customers who are choosing from among local garage-cleaning services. Thumbtack also allows customers to select the service provider they want. That said, Thumbtack doesn’t provide instant quotes from multiple service providers. Instead, the client must communicate directly with the service provider to obtain a quote. But for customers who want a fully controlled hiring process, Thumbtack is a great option.
Our Verdict
NEAT Method helps clients declutter and organize their garage to ensure it stays that way. Those who simply want to have the junk from their garage hauled away will want to consider College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving, which offers reasonable rates and will dispose of unwanted belongings responsibly.
How We Chose the Best Garage Cleaning Services
Garage-cleaning services are not a monolith. They include three different types of services: junk removal, cleaning, and organization. When making our picks for the top garage-cleaning services, we included the best provider for each type of service, keeping such factors as customer satisfaction, pricing, and service area in mind. While three of the garage-cleaning services we included are national companies, we also acknowledge that many local businesses provide this type of service. For that reason, we included a top online aggregation service that allows customers to vet and hire local garage-cleaning services.
Before You Hire the Best Garage Cleaning Service for You
Before hiring a garage-cleaning service, a homeowner will want to consider the type of service they need and how best to prepare for it. Unless a homeowner hires an end-to-end service, they’ll need to commit time to prepare the garage for the cleaning. If a homeowner is hiring a junk removal service, they’ll need to assess all of the items in their garage to determine what stays and what goes. For garage cleaning, they’ll need to declutter before the cleaners arrive so the cleaners can thoroughly clean the space. If a homeowner is hiring a company to help organize, it’s a good idea to dispose of all the items they no longer want before the service arrives to assess the garage and install storage.
Cost of Hiring the Best Garage Cleaning Service for You
Since garage-cleaning services really span three different types of services—junk removal, cleaning, and organization—garage-cleaning service prices vary depending on the job. For junk removal, customers can expect to pay between $50 and $360, depending on just how much junk needs to be hauled off. One-time cleaning costs for a space like the garage might cost around $200, depending on the size and condition of the space. A personal organizer will typically charge between $600 and $2,500.
The Advantages of Using the Best Garage Cleaning Service for You
There are many good reasons for a homeowner to invest in a service that will help clean out the garage. First and foremost, a clean garage allows homeowners to organize their belongings better, making them easier to find when needed. By cleaning out the garage and getting rid of unwanted belongings, a homeowner can create more space, allowing them to use the garage for car storage or as a workshop. A clean, organized garage also creates fewer nooks and crannies where pests can hide and nest. And since the garage is on display to the neighbors every time it’s open, an organized garage simply makes the house look better.
- Makes belongings easier to locate
- Creates extra work space
- Reduces risks of pests
- Increases curb appeal
FAQs
Whether you choose to hire someone to clean out the garage or go it alone, read on for some helpful tips regarding garage cleaning.
Q. What is the best way to clean a garage?
The best way to clean a garage is to begin by first emptying the space of all items and placing them in your driveway. Next, go through and decide what should be kept and what needs to be thrown out, recycled, or donated. While the garage is still empty, clean it thoroughly. Next, decide how to organize your garage and whether you need to purchase any shelving or other organizational items to support that plan.
Q. What is the fastest way to clean a messy garage?
While this may not be the cheapest way, the best way to clean a messy garage is to hire professional garage cleaners to get the job done for you. These services will help declutter, haul away junk, clean the space and organize it to suit the needs of your household. Customers can search for “garage cleaning and organizing services near me” or opt for one of the best garage- cleaning services.
Q. How should I organize my garage on a budget?
Before you start the organization process, make sure you have heavy-duty trash bags, baskets for storing loose items, and a shop vac or broom to clean out the space. Begin by cleaning and organizing the space, decluttering as you go by throwing away anything you know you no longer want. Pull all items out of the garage and group them by related items (sports gear, automotive supplies, yard tools, etc.) in the driveway. Plan your storage based on the remaining items. Try to use any storage containers or shelving you already have in your garage first before investing in additional storage supplies or furniture. One of the best garage organization companies can help you find the right storage for your garage needs.
Q. How often should you clean your garage?
How often you clean your garage depends on how often you use it. If your garage sees a fair amount of use, give the garage a quick weekly cleaning by dusting, sweeping the floor, putting any loose items in their proper place, and cleaning up any spills. Once a month, vacuum the space and wipe down light fixtures. Do a thorough cleaning at the start of each season by scrubbing the floor and cleaning any floor mats. Once a year, remove everything from the garage and pressure wash the floor.
Q. Can you pressure wash the inside of a garage?
You can use an electric power washer to clean a concrete garage floor. (Electric power washers are safer than gas ones in enclosed spaces like garages.) Begin by using the power washer at the back of the garage and move toward the garage door. Spray cleaner onto the floor and in the direction of the door.
Q. How do I clean my concrete garage floor?
To clean your concrete garage floor, begin by sweeping up all loose material with a broom or using a shop vac. For fresh oil spills, use cat litter or sawdust to soak up the fluid. After about a day, sweep it up, then use dishwashing liquid to clean any stains left on the concrete. For spilled paint, use a scraper to separate the paint from the floor. You can also mop the floor with a solution of ½ cup of baking soda in 1 gallon of warm water. If you don’t want to tackle the job yourself, you can search online for “garage floor cleaning services near me.”