Items to Avoid Storing in Your Garage

For many households, the garage becomes a catchall storage space for belongings that have no place else to go. While it’s acceptable to keep some items such as sports equipment, tools, and gardening supplies in your garage, some objects are just not suitable. 

Why can’t certain items be stored in your custom garage? There are three main reasons:

• Extreme weather -Unless your garage is climate-controlled, temperatures will fluctuate depending on the seasons, and the moisture levels will change. In Northern states, such as New Jersey, you never know from one season to the next what to expect. Especially in winter, you may only experience a few flurries or have to shovel your way out of 4 feet of snow. Other times, you could be wearing shorts in March. It’s up to Mother Nature. 
• Vermin - Rodents, pests, and animals love to find new places to hide, and some items in your garage fit the bill. 
• Hazardous materials - Anything flammable like cleaning chemicals or propane gas is unsafe to store in your garage. If the materials ignite, a fire or explosion could occur.

Before you start reorganizing your garage, pull up a chair and check out what items should not be stored in that area of a home.

Keeping firewood in your garage during the winter seems like a good idea to avoid trips outside in the cold weather. Unfortunately, firewood attracts pests, and you will bring them into your home along with the wood. Keep firewood outdoors in an open area at least 20 feet away from your home. Cover with a tarp.

Having an extra propane tank available if you run low is convenient, but the gas is a significant fire hazard if stored in your garage. When mixed with air, propane becomes flammable. If the tank leaks, a single spark from your car’s ignition or power tool can set your garage on fire. Always keep propane tanks outside, as far away from your home as possible.

As with propane, hazardous materials such as fertilizer, weed killer, and antifreeze can leak and ignite a fire or explosion as well. Keep dangerous materials in a locked basement or an insulated shed. If you have hazardous chemicals you no longer need, dispose of them properly.

High heat and humidity will absolutely spoil canned and nonperishable food. When the extreme cold weather arrives, your food will freeze, which may not be so bad. 



However, when the temperature drops, the food thaws and may spoil. Always store canned goods either in your pantry or another temperature-controlled space. Family Handyman notes that the temperature should always be "between 50 and 70 degrees."

Having a backup refrigerator in the garage sounds like a fantastic idea until you see your energy bill. As Bob Vila points out, when the temperature in your garage is over 78 degrees, your fridge will have to work overtime to combat constantly changing heat and humidity levels, ultimately resulting in astronomical energy bills.

Cold temperatures are not any kinder to your refrigerator. Despite the insulated doors, low temperatures will freeze the contents, reducing the quality of your food. So, if you live up North and aren’t sure whether Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow, play it safe and don’t keep a spare fridge in your garage.

Changing temperatures cause wine corks to expand and contract, allowing air to get into the bottles and altering the taste. Keep wine inside your home, either in a wine refrigerator or cabinet. 

If you have an extra television or computer, do not leave it in the garage. The severe temperatures will cause permanent damage. Instead, bring them inside or drop them off at a local charity.

When storing items in your garage, stick to plastic containers with sealed lids and recycle cardboard. Humidity dampens cardboard, which in turn, attracts bugs, rodents, and other unappealing critters.

Moisture and extreme temperatures damage photos and documents, causing them to stick together, fade, grow mold, and rip. Always keep important documents inside your home. For photos, keep them in a special protective container or go digital and transfer them to your computer.

Extreme temperatures will alter the consistency of paint, especially latex-based paint. In addition, metal paint cans kept on a cement floor rust quickly in warmer temperatures. If the paint smells sour or has thickened, get rid of it. To dispose of paint correctly, you need to turn it into a solid. To do so, Real Simple suggests mixing cat litter with paint and allowing the concoction to dry for an hour. To store paint safely, find a spot in your home where you can keep it at room temperature.

If you buy pet food in bulk, rodents and bugs will chew through the bags and the food. Move the pet food to your pantry or another space in your home. Also, transfer the food into airtight containers.

Fabrics left in a garage are likely to be damaged either by mold or pests. To avoid this from happening, store your clothes in a spare closet, under your bed, or even in breathable storage bins.

Extreme heat and humidity will warp wooden furniture, including tables, chairs, and bed frames. If you do not have space in your home for furniture, rent a climate-controlled storage unit.

Not only will humidity cause the pages to stick together, but insects will likely eat through the paper and bindings. To protect them, store your books inside in a temperature-controlled environment.

Now that you know what items not to store in your garage, you’ll have plenty of space to store acceptable items - including your vehicle! To help you get started, Getting the Garage Organized for the New Year offers a plan to optimize your space and keep everything organized.

When you need extra storage space, your garage is the perfect spot for items such as bicycles, sports equipment, tools, and car supplies. On the other hand, some items are not suitable to keep there because they require a temperature-controlled environment, are flammable, or attract rodents and pests. Use this article to help determine what can stay in your garage and what needs to be moved elsewhere.