FREE, 5-Second, Life Saving Home Winterizing Idea... Garage Edition

Ever notice most winterizing home tips focus on how to winterize your windows, how to winterize your front door, or even your car to name a few?

Well, this winterizing tip for your garage could save your life or that of a family member... or at least greatly reduce the risk of serious injury. And it's so stupid easy... and it's FREE!!!

The most recent winter weather proved treacherous not only on  roads and driveways but in my garage… but not in the way you’d think.

​Similar to oils and debris on the road, high-traffic areas of your garage (from cars, foot-traffic, and outdoor equipment) become like black ice as the floor temperatures drop. Even with sturdy, deep-tread snow boots, I found myself hydroplaning in these high-traffic areas after taking Ms. Buttons outside to do her business or to get the mail.

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According to the CDC, over 1 million Americans are injured each year resulting from falling on winter surfaces. These can cause deep bruising as well as broken bones… most commonly wrist, arm, ankle, and hip fractures. And those responsible for head injuries can be very serious, tragically accounting for over 17,000 fatalities each year.

If you don't want to deal with the time, expense, and hassle of resurfacing, laying rubber tiles,  or scrubbing your garage floor, here is a quick, easy, free, 5-second  solution. ​

Estimated Time to Complete

5 seconds.

Level of Difficulty

Beyond easy!

Estimated Cost

FREE!!! You already have what you need.

Items Needed

• Absorbent beach towel(s) or bath sheet(s) (that you already have)

Optional

• Indoor foyer floor mat

Instructions

​Before heading outside...

• Identify “slick spots” in heavy traffic areas of your garage floor from buildup of slush, oils, and dirt that create “black ice-like” patches throughout your garage floor. Typically, these are
  • discolored shinier surfaces
  • high-traffic areas and paths from the outdoors to the access door from the garage to the house
  • high-traffic areas for outdoor equipment including lawn mowers and snow blowers
• Lay a large DRY towel over slick spot(s) providing temporary traction as well as a reminder to tread carefully. In the photo below, the slick spot is a high, foot traffic area. My (floor) towel is close to garage door as both high-traffic and for cleaning soles of boots when taking the dog out and getting the mail. ​

Towel(s) catch snow, debris, and oils tracked in that build up creating a dangerous, slick, black ice surface.

When coming into the garage...

• Walk on the towel removing much of the snow, slush, and ice packed in the treads of your boots... providing you greater traction on remainder of your footpath from the towel to your garage-to-house door.

• Clean boots again on indoor foyer mat before going into your home.
• Hang towel to dry. A damp towel will dry on its own…. otherwise, drape over a chair to dry.
• Throw in the washer & dryer every 3 - 4 days to clean dirt and debris buildup affecting absorbency.

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As with your kitchen and bathroom(s), your garage is daily, high foot-traffic area deserving of the same attention to safety… particularly in the winter. Without function… which includes safety… there is no style. And although a towel on the floor during a few weeks in the winter isn’t exactly sexy, neither is a serious injury impacting your enjoyment of your home.

So stay safe so you can continue bringing the fun into the functional stylish living.

Having Trouble Getting Started?

I used to feel the same way too. After all, who wants to put time into a project that may not work in their specific home? That's why I created this Quick DIY Check Prep (List) for getting you started on those projects that actually enhance your home. I use this when starting any home DIY endeavor... big or small. 

​Knowing the "whys" of your home projects not only helps you with the "hows" but keeps you focused on the DIY endeavors that will matter for you... saving you time and money.