If you live in a place that gets cold in the winter, then you know how easy it is to let exterior home maintenance fall behind. However, this time of year is actually a great time to assess and organize your garage.

From revamping your storage system to freeing up space for the warmer months ahead, we reached out to two professional organizers and home experts to find out her top tips for cleaning out the garage.

Stop using the garage as a dumping ground

Like basements and attics, home influencer Laura Ascher says garages are a major magnet for clutter because people often treat them like landfills. If that’s you, now is a good time to take a look at what seasonal items you have stashed away in your garage that you might want to clear out.

Look for things like holiday decorations and outdoor gear, as these are the two main culprits for garage clutter. Make sure they are neatly put away for when their proper season comes again.

“This not only leads to unnecessary clutter, but also makes it difficult to find what you need when you need it,” says Ascher.

Want more cleaning and organizing tips? Sign up for our free daily newsletter for the latest hacks, expert tips and more!

Move your winter gear forward

If your garage is already nicely decorated, there may still be work to do before winter. One mistake professional organizer Diane N. Quintana says she sees is when people store items where they fit, but not necessarily where they’re most useful.

“For example, you want to store your snow shovel and de-icing pellets, sand, or other substances you use to prevent slipping on ice where you can access them,” she says.

This could be in the garage, but it could also be in an outside shed or your mud room; be sure to optimize all these spaces for ease of use.

Make space in your interior closet

Before you embark on decluttering your garage, take a look at your alternative solutions inside. As Quintana points out, your closet could be a great option—with a few tweaks.

“I recommend installing a set of small shelves in the back of a utility closet for (things like) paint cans,” she says.

By creating an alternative space indoors, you can ensure that you are not storing things in the garage that shouldn’t be, such as old files and photos and out-of-season clothes.

Optimize vertical storage options

While you’re trying to declutter your garage, try to assess your vertical storage space. If you keep a lot of stuff on the floor, winter is a great time to create a storage system to solve this potential disaster.

“Storing items directly on the floor only increases the risk of water damage, as well as contributing to unnecessary items on the floor,” says Ascher. “This can give the garage a disorganized, messy look.”

Look for shelves, simple wall cabinets and wall hooks, which are especially great for everyday use like cleaning and garden tools.

Keep things off the floor

Whether you use wall shelves, ceiling storage or rolling racks, Ascher says the most critical thing you can do in the winter is keep items off the garage floor. Even raised platforms might be worth considering to get you through the season.

“Protect your belongings from exposure to water from melting snow or leaks,” she says. “By taking these steps, you can ensure your stored items stay safe, organized and in good condition all season long.”

Make the most of every ceiling space

Along with shelving, a garage is a great place for a ceiling storage system.

“(These) can be great for rarely used items like camping gear without taking up any usable space,” Ascher says.

Use waterproof buckets

If you’re short on space and moving things around isn’t an option, it might be time to invest in waterproof, airtight bins. This will protect your items from moisture, temperature fluctuations and pests.

“For added protection, you might consider using silica gel packets to absorb moisture inside the bins,” says Ascher.

They are far preferable to cardboard, which can easily become damp and attract pests. As you declutter and organize, it’s also incredibly important to label each bin. This way you can more easily locate things moving forward.