How do I get my hubby to organize and clean up the garage?

Question

We've lived in this house for over 5 years, we've both gone out to the garage and "tidied up"....we turn around and it's a mess again....I try to encourage him to keep it clean, but he just goes back to his "bachelor ways"....I'm getting tired of having to ask him to help me keep it clean and I don't think it's fair that I should have to keep the house AND garage clean...and I would like to have the car parked in there over the winter----after all, that's what a garage is for, isn't it? Please help me by offering your ideas....Thanks

Answer 1

You're asking how to change behavior. Behavior always follows values. Always. He doesn't "behave" because he doesn't value. A clean garage just isn't worth the effort to him. He values something else more (even perhaps free time?). You can't change behavior. It never sticks. That's why you have to ask again and again... to the point of nagging. If he finally does what you ask, it's not because he values a clean garage. He values not having to hear you nag. Lousy for you and for him, right?

If you really want to manipulate him (which is what you're trying to do...) Stop trying to change behavior. Change his values. Using the negative (avoiding nagging) is distasteful to you both... try something different. Since a clean garage alone is not sufficient, add a reward to the mix. Offer something valuable to him in return. Something he values. It can be a great dinner, a guiltless night out with the guys... whatever he values. (Sex is an option, of course, but using that as a reward or punishment sticks in my craw.)

Answer 2

With his permission, get a third person to come and help organize the garage. The sharper the organization, perhaps, the easier to keep neat. Also, they have books now about organizing and about dealing with clutter.

Yes, it's not fair that you clean both house and garage. However, I'm a "Messie" myself (and I'm female!), and I know I have a hard time keeping anyplace organized, so I understand where your husband is coming from.

If you find that you can't get the garage organized, you may have to surrender this battle, and concentrate on other things.

Answer 3

Typeset's cleaning habits: 1. there is a set of things that must be done EVERY week regardless... in this order ~~~> dust, wipe down surfaces with a cloth and cleanser, clean bathroom, vacuum, straighten up everything... 2. then there are things that must be distributed among different weeks within the same month (in other words, once a month... doesn't matter when)... mop the floors in the kitchen and bathroom, detail clean the oven, organize messy closets, wash windows... 3. then lastly there are little specialty jobs i do... i do only one a week and they vary every week of the year... they include things like... wiping down the surface of floor runners, cleaning on top of cupboards, cleaning and/or changing the filters in the vacuum, sorting and donating old clothes that i no longer wear, cleaning the inside of the refrigerator... 4. quickly do anything my girlfriend is complaining about in exchange for... ummm... something else...

Answer 4

Either strategically place his favorite beer around the garage so he'll be motivated to find more beer...or tell him you're tired of this and you have your hands full and you'd like him to hire someone to clean it for you. Then you'd have more time to do something nice together, which would be for the best.

Answer 5

Cross your legs. If that don't work then deprive him of something that he will sorely miss. Just like a child, it seems you might have to resort to bribery. And no payoff until the jobs done. OR, build shelves and/or racks where things could be stored more neatly. If you do this together it would be a lot better for him than doing it alone.

Answer 6

tell him to get it clean or youll call the salvatioarmy to come and get the stuff, or, have a garage sale.and keep haveing them till the stuff is all gone,or he cleans the rest up and keeps it that way

Answer 7

Make a fun project out of it, and "do it together". Once it gets done, it's easier to keep clean. Ask him nicely to do that for you, and if he does, reward him......make a big deal out of the fact. Praise him! Everybody likes praise.....

Answer 8

YOU SIMPLY SAY, "HONEY I'M GOING TO CLEAN THE GARAGE OUT, IF THERE IS ANYTHING IN THERE YOU WANT TO KEEP YOU NEED TO GET IT OUT NOW".

Answer 9

give him a date and time to get it cleaned up enought to get the car in and let him know if it gets messy again your going to start throwin sh*t out....then DO IT!