7 Items You Should Never Store in a Garage
When you think of a garage, what’s one of the first things that comes to mind? Storage. A garage is commonly used as a convenient storage space for a variety of different items. There’s a lot of talk out there about what to store in your garage and how to best utilize this space, but the fact of the matter is that a garage is not the best environment for just anything.
Here are seven items to avoid storing in your garage.
Firewood
You might think that storing firewood in your garage is the ideal place for it; easy enough for you to grab some without even having to venture outside on those cold, snowy nights. But it’s important not to give in to this temptation! Not only is storing firewood in your garage a potential fire hazard, it’s also a great way to attract pests that can ultimately make their way into your home. Your best bet is to stack firewood on an elevated rack outdoors, being sure to cover it with a tarp to prevent moisture.
Propane Tanks
If you’ve been wondering where to store propane tanks at home, the answer is: outdoors! The garage is a convenient storage space for many barbecue items, but propane shouldn’t be one of them. Even the slightest leak could result in an explosion, so it’s always better to err on the side of caution.
Canned Food
SA garage seems like a reasonable spot to store the overflow of canned goods that won’t fit inside the pantry or cupboards, but unfortunately doing so goes against all sorts of health guidelines. For example, the USDA recommends storing canned foods in a cool, dry location, of which a garage is often neither. If it’s not the dampness causing the cans to rust, there’s a good chance that the temperature of the garage is high enough to spoil the contents inside.
Paintings and Photographs
Artwork and photographs are often among homeowners’ most prized and meaningful possessions, so keeping them intact must be a priority. This means avoiding storing these items in the garage at all costs. The combination of moisture and extreme temperatures wreaks havoc on paint and canvases, and can even lead to mold growth on photographs. The best storage spot is inside the house in a closet.
Sleeping Bags
It’s not uncommon for camping gear to be stored in a garage, but sleeping bags should always get a special spot indoors. In fact, you should avoid storing any fabric items in the garage, where moisture and temperature changes provide breeding grounds for mold, and the soft, warm folds attract rodents and other pests.
Wine
A good way to ruin that nice bottle of wine you’ve been saving for a special occasion is to store it in the garage. This is another instance where extreme temperatures—heat in particular, in this case—can seriously damage the integrity of the contents.
Pet Food
You buy pet food for your pets, not for all the wild animals that live around your home. Storing it in the garage signals to those pests that there is a delicious snack waiting for them. Paper or cardboard packaging especially stands no chance against a rodent’s teeth.
For more tips and tricks on how to best utilize your garage, be sure to follow Champion Overhead Door on Facebook!