Eight Items You Should Never Store in Your Garage

Your garage storage system is super versatile, but there are some items you should never keep in your garage. Garages inevitably become a depot for all kinds of items. Some need to be stored there, while other things often get stashed there with the thought it will be temporary.

Several items shouldn't be stowed in a garage because they could be dangerous, might invite pests, or won't tolerate outdoor conditions well. Here are eight of them:

1. Paper
2. Firewood
3. Pet Food
4. Fabrics
5. Paint
6. Wine
7. Propane Tanks
8. Photographs

Read on to learn more about why these products should not find a home in your garage.

Paper

Paper of any kind should never be stored in a garage. It will yellow and become fragile over time, even if it's stored in a file cabinet. Never keep important records or files there -- not only is the potential for water damage there, but since garages can be easily broken into, there's a security risk as well. Paper that needs to be kept for future use or reference should be kept inside under better-controlled conditions.

Firewood

A garage might seem like a sensible place to stack firewood, but doing so can be a magnet for spiders, bugs, and even mice to nest. When you bring the firewood into your home, you then bring in unwanted guests. Firewood should be kept in a large, dry, covered bin or shed if possible.

Pet Food

Storing pet food in your garage is a definite no-no. It's an open invitation for insects, rodents, and other critters to find a tasty snack in your garage. Paper, cardboard, and even plastic packaging can be gnawed through. Even if the pet food is kept in a heavy plastic or metal bin, you'd be amazed at how crafty and pesky pests can be when they are hungry. Keep pet food inside of your home.

Fabric

Varying temperatures, humidity, and wet conditions are not ideal for storing fabric of any kind. Rugs, towels, sleeping bags, and even tents can get moldy. Fabric also attracts critters who are seeking a soft place to call their own or who can chew through the material to bring pieces back to the nests they're creating nearby. 

Paint

Extreme temperature fluctuations can ruin paint, so it's best kept in a cool, dry, indoor environment. Paint can also be combustible once opened if the lid isn’t closed all the way.  The best place to store new or leftover paint is in your basement or in a storage area in your home. Dark, dry, and cool areas work best to assure that the paint’s consistency isn’t affected until you're ready to use it. 

Wine

It might seem like a good idea to keep wine in your garage, since it's a space that is dry and dark. However, any garage is susceptible to outdoor weather elements.  Moisture and inconsistent temperatures can certainly spoil wine, and that's no fun. Keep your wine collection in your home stored out of direct sunlight and far from heating units or vents. 

Propane Tanks

If there is a leak or a valve issue with a propane tank in an enclosed space like a garage, there's a risk of explosion or fire. A flat, level outdoor area that is out of direct sunlight and well-ventilated is the ideal location to store propane tanks or canisters.

Photographs

A garage is no place to store cherished photographs. Photo albums and loose photos, especially older ones, will fade and could be ruined by the conditions in a garage enclosure. Photo paper is extremely sensitive to moisture and changing temperatures. Even stored in a bin, they could end up sticking together due to heat and humidity. Keep treasured photographs inside, where it's climate-controlled.

Southern Living has a great piece that lists lots of items you should never store in your garage (or attic and basement).

Final Thoughts

A garage is suitable for many of a home’s inventory of necessary and miscellaneous items, but not everything. It's easy for a garage storage system to serve as an overflow and catch-call, but you certainly don’t want to end up with damaged goods or a potentially dangerous environment. You want to keep your garage a safe place and with a little forethought and these tips, you can store items wisely.

Sources

• https://www.southernliving.com/home/organization/basement-attic-storage