Your garage can seem like a catch-all space for your stuff, but some items really shouldn’t be kept there. Protect your belongings and keep your home safe by remembering what doesn’t belong there. Here are 18 common mistakes we all make.
Food
Food stored in the garage can attract pests such as rodents and insects, causing contamination and waste. Besides this, changing temperatures can cause food to spoil faster than you’d expect. Food Docs points out that you should always keep food “at least 6 inches off the floor” and inside your home, where the conditions are controlled, ensuring it remains safe and fresh.
Wooden Furniture
The garage is not the right place for your wooden furniture either. Moisture can seep in, leading to swelling, warping, or even mold growth. A better idea is to keep these pieces indoors where the temperature and humidity are controlled. This way, your furniture will stay in good shape and last much longer.
Propane Tanks
You should also be aware that keeping propane tanks in the garage is a serious safety risk. These tanks might leak, and gas accumulation in an enclosed space like your garage can lead to explosions. To ensure safety from potential hazards, store your propane tanks outdoors, in an open, well-ventilated area away from living spaces.
Old Appliances
Most people don’t realize that keeping old appliances in your garage can be a bad idea. They can get rusty from the damp air, and bugs or mice might move in. Instead of letting them sit around, it’s better to get rid of them or recycle them. If you do this, you’ll have more space in your garage, avoid pest problems, and keep things neater overall.
Clothing and Fabrics
It’s also worth noting that storing clothing in the garage is another poor choice. Damp conditions can lead to mold and attract pests that damage fabrics, so storing your seasonal outfits inside your home is much better. Try using sealed boxes or containers to keep them fresh and ready to wear when you need them without any problems.
Important Documents
You may have guessed this, but vital papers like birth certificates, passports, and insurance documents shouldn’t stay in the garage either. The space can be damp, which ruins these delicate materials. Consider placing these documents inside a fireproof safe in your living area to keep them secure and in good condition.
Paintings and Artwork
Stashing special paintings and artwork in the garage is one sure recipe for disaster. Humidity and temperature swings cause frames and canvases to deteriorate, making them look old and worn out. Opt for storage within your home, where the climate remains stable, preserving your valued pieces for years to come.
Photographs
Cherished family photos also risk getting damaged in the garage, where the damp air can make photos stick together or lose their color. It’s best to store them somewhere cool and dry inside your house to keep them in good shape for your kids and grandkids.
Electronics
Here’s a surprising tip: your garage isn’t the best place for electronics. You are aware by now that dampness is a real issue, and it can also mess with the delicate parts inside your electronics, making your devices stop working. To keep your electronics working well for longer, it’s better to store them in your home, safe from moisture and big temperature changes.
Leather Goods
Did you know that storing leather items in your garage can actually be pretty bad for them? The ups and downs in temperature and all that moisture can really affect the leather, making it crack and fall apart. Keep leather jackets, shoes, and bags in a room where the temperatures are more stable.
Wine
Wine needs stable conditions for proper aging, and garages are just not suitable for them. The fluctuating temperatures can also affect and completely ruin your wine collection, altering taste and quality. Store your treasured bottles in a dedicated wine cellar or cooler part of your home to protect them from temperature extremes.
Candles
You may not have thought of it, but storing candles in a hot garage can cause them to melt or lose their shape. To keep them intact, it’s wise to find them a storage spot within your home in a cooler environment where they can maintain their original form and usability.
Musical Instruments
Storing musical instruments in garages also isn’t a good idea because they need steady conditions. When temperatures and moisture levels go up and down, it can damage wooden parts and strings. It’s better to keep instruments inside your home, where the environment doesn’t change much.
Important Valuables
Surprisingly, some people think that storing valuables in the garage is smart, but this really isn’t a safe practice. The area usually lacks strong security measures, making items vulnerable to theft or damage. Instead, protect your valuable possessions by keeping them inside your home, where they’ll be more secure and less likely to attract unwanted attention.
Hazardous Materials
Garages definitely aren’t the best place for storing hazardous materials like chemicals and paints. Many people seem to do this, but hazardous materials can leak, causing potentially dangerous fumes. Ensure these substances are kept in a designated area with proper ventilation, minimizing risk to your health and your household’s safety.
Plants
We know that garages are terrible for plants because of the lack of natural light and the temperature shifts. Without proper light and stable conditions, plants will simply not survive. Keeping them inside your home or in a specifically designed plant area will offer them the best chance to thrive and grow healthily.
Firewood
Some people don’t realize that storing firewood in the garage can invite pests like termites into their space. These uninvited guests can then pose a risk to your home. A better practice is to store firewood outside, away from your house, ensuring it’s dry and aired properly to prevent moisture and pest problems.
Tires
Keeping tires in your garage might not be the best idea for their longevity. Temperature swings can cause them to wear out faster, affecting how well they work and how long they last. To keep your tires in good shape, try to find a spot that’s cool and dry, away from direct sunlight and big temperature swings.
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