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There are things you should never store in your garage and things you can safely store in there. Of course, it depends a lot if your garage is insulated and heated or cooled. If it is a climate controller, you can safely store a lot more stuff in there.
You can store tools, car supplies, sports equipment, decorations, and clothes, etc. However, you should not store propane, gas, paper, food, film, electronics, batteries, antiques, etc., in the garage. Let’s look at all the things that can be stored or not recommended to store in the garage.
BUT let’s say for now, your garage is not insulated and climate controlled and follows the outside air temperature.
What Things You Can Store in the Garage?
Yard tools, Gardening tools, Regular tools, And power tools
Car Supplies
- Different car fluids, roof rack, anything you need to maintain a car, etc.
- Tires
Ammo
- Just keep it in tightly sealed containers and off the floor.
- Ammo is susceptible to moisture and heat. So this might be better safe in the house.
Bikes and Other Sports Equipment
- Designed to be outside. Obviously.
Camping Gear
- Weatherproof
Outdoor Toys
- Weatherproof
Christmas and Other Decorations
Some decorations are designed to be inside, some outside.
Clothes and Linen. Sleeping Bags
- Fluctuating temperatures and humidity are not ideal conditions for storing fabric.
- Winter clothes and linen should be stored in dry temperature. and in a sealed bag.
- Even better would be to put them in vacuum sealer bags(paid link) and then place them in the bin.
Leather Clothes and Furniture
- Should be cleaned and treated with conditioner before storage and Reapply conditioner on a regular basis.
- Leather can be damaged by significant temperature and humidity fluctuations.
Shoes and Boots
- May attract spiders so be careful when taking shoes back to service.
Coolers
- Just wash and dry before storing.
Gym Equipment
- At the right temperature, you get a nice workout in the garage too.
Second Refrigerator
- Refrigerators function most effectively at temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees. In summer, a non-climate controlled garage can reach temperatures more than 100 degrees, forcing the fridge to work overtime to keep cool.
Things You Should Not Store in Garage
Propane Tanks and Gas
- Tanks may have a leaky valve or another type of leak. pressure release valve may not open. tanks also highly sensitive to heat. propane gas is explosive and deadly.
- The gas expands in the heat. fumes may get out of containers.
- Store it in an outside shed.
Clothes and Linen. Sleeping Bags
- Fluctuating temperatures and humidity are not ideal conditions for storing fabric.
- Winter clothes and linen should be stored in dry temperature. and in a sealed bag.
- Even better would be to put them in a vacuum sealer bags and then place in the bin.
Paper and Cardboard. Photographs
- Important documents and photographs are kept safest when stored in a fireproof box within the home.
- Cardboard attracts rodents. Instead of cardboard boxes, use waterproof, pest-proof plastic/metal storage bins and containers.
- Books and magazines don’t like moisture. Otherwise is fine to store. Bookbinding glue attracts bugs.
Different Foods
- Fresh foods. Should be stored sealed in your own pantry.
- Dry food needs to be in airtight containers if in the garage and not let them freeze/absorb moisture.
- Canned foods. It will freeze and has a shorter shelf life if not at the right temperature.
- Pet foods. If you must keep pet food in the garage (or even when it’s inside your house), be sure that it’s inside a tightly sealed plastic or metal container. Rodents can easily chew through paper or cardboard packaging.
- Temps over 70 F impacts the shelf life of canned foods and over 95 F they spoil quickly. Not properly sealed food also attracts rodents and other pest.
- Canned food and other shelf-stable food is best stored in cool, dry, dark conditions. If you keep the temperature above freezing and below 85°F (29.4°C), keep the humidity low (below 15% if possible), and cut direct sunlight then your garage is safe for food storage.
Wine and Beer
- Sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Will spoil really fast in the heat. also freezes.
Vinyl Records and Film. Cds/Dvds
- Mice like celluloid and vinyl bends in heat. Also will deteriorate optical discs.
Electronics and Old Appliances
- Are sensitive to moisture and extreme heat and cold.
- You can store electronics in your garage as long as you keep the items packed tight in a sealed bin and away from moisture.
Paint
- Freezes and becomes unusable mess, in the heat it drys.
Batteries
- Lifespan will be reduced in the cold. Extreme heat may cause leaks.
Firewood
- You can, but will bring bugs and critters in. Also, fire hazard.
- Place it outside a few inches off the wall and stack.
- Cover it with a tarp to keep it dry.
Oily Rags
- Serious fire hazard.
Wooden or Antique Furniture
- Temperature and humidity fluctuations wreak havoc on wood, causing its grain to swell and contract.
- This can result in damage in the form of veneer delamination and warped wood
- Wooden furniture should also be stored in an environment that’s temperature-controlled. This will keep humidity levels stable and slow down the drying-out process of woods.
If you’re interested in the best storage bins with lids you can find them on Amazon
Conclusion
- Do not store anything that can be damaged by extreme or fluctuating temperatures.
- Keep belongings that are vulnerable to humidity and moisture inside your temperature-controlled home or temperature-controlled garage.
- Avoid storing hazardous/flammable materials in the garage.
- Don’t store things in the garage that are worth a lot to you.
- Instead of cardboard boxes, use waterproof, pest-proof plastic/metal storage bins and containers.
