Spring Shed Clean-Up Planning

Backyard sheds tend to get neglected over the winter months ... and for good reason. Puttering around in an unheated, uninsulated shed when it's below freezing isn't a pleasant task. It's no wonder that the clutter tends to pile up. Stuff tends to get thrown into the shed, rather than being put away carefully. (My typical scenario: hoof it out to shed, open door, toss in junk, slam door shut, and high tail it back to the house.)

Once that shed door's closed, your spouse, friends, relatives, and neighbors will have no clue how messy your shed has become over the winter.

Ah, but that only last's so long ...

While I don't dread the spring shed clean-up, I can't say that it's something I really look forward to, as it can take the better part of a Saturday afternoon. Given my druthers, I wait until the afternoon, to give my shed time to warm up ... on a sunny day, the south facing Plexiglass windows make things nice and toasty by lunchtime.

To speed up the process, I like to have everything I need on hand before I crack open the door:

• Heavy duty garbage bags - contractor bags are the best, but lawn and leaf bags will do. (Hint: If you keep the box of bags out in the shed, your family won't be tempted to use them throughout the year.)
• A broom and dustpan - two things that tend to disappear over the course of the year. (Hint: If you can't find a dustpan, use last night's pizza box ... it works like a charm.)
• A set of utility gloves - where the heck did I leave mine? (Hint: store them in the shed in a heavy-duty zip lock bag, to prevent insects from using the fingers as condos.)
• Tunes - it doesn't matter whether it's an old transistor radio, boom box, or an iPod ... music will help keep you motivated.

I'll be the first to confess that my shed has been jammed with junk over the past year.

With luck, I'll get the jump on it this weekend ...