Most homeowners love to store anything and everything in the garage. And the larger its size, the more it is likely to inspire envy. Nonetheless, if you believe that any item can be placed there, think again!
Do you know what are restrictions you must keep in mind when putting things away in your garage?
1. Home Canned Food
Contrary to what you might think, canned food is susceptible to spoilage and containers must be stored at temperatures between 10 °C and 20 °C. Humidity in a garage can also cause cans and glass jars’ metal lids to rust, triggering a chemical reaction with the food they contain and rendering it inedible.
2. Fresh Food
Unless you plan on having rodents and other critters move in with you, don’t keep food in the garage! This goes for your pets’ food as well. If you don’t have any alternative spot available, then make sure you are storing it in airtight plastic or metal containers. The same advice applies for inside the home if you live out in the country. Mice can easily chew through cardboard!
3. Paper and Textiles
Unless you have a humidity-controlled garage, don’t place your books, photos, sleeping bags, camping tent or valuables there, including your kids’ toys. Moisture levels, which vary greatly from season to season, could damage your belongings, making them unusable.
4. Firewood
Firewood is a magnet for insects! They won’t necessarily harm your logs, but they could enter your home on the trip from the garage to the fireplace. Our advice is to stack your firewood at least 20 feet from the house.
5. Paint
Temperature fluctuations, especially freezing periods, are very harmful to paint and you may have to discard the gallons stored in the garage altogether as a result. Instead, paint containers should be placed in a dry location at room temperature, such as a closet.
6. Propane Tanks
The tanks themselves are generally safe, but all it takes is the smallest gas leak followed by the tiniest spark—even from simply turning on the car—for an explosion to occur in a closed room. It is therefore best to store them in a more secure location!
7. Wine
Don’t own a wine cellar in which to keep your precious bottles? The garage is not, unfortunately, an acceptable alternative. In fact, temperature and humidity variations can alter a wine’s taste. Find another solution to store your wine bottles, such as a wine rack in the dining room where everyone can admire it … and your collection.
8. Car Seats for Babies
If your family isn’t finished growing, you may be tempted to save the car seat you already have for the next baby. In that case, store it in a closet or a dry basement. The garage’s humidity and propensity to be an entry point and home to all manner of tiny creatures may put your car seat’s integrity at risk, making it unsafe to use.
9. A Lawnmower or Electric Devices
If you decide to store these items in the garage, make sure they are not in a spot where they could accidentally fall on you or anybody else. The same goes for other bulky objects, like bikes.
Need additional safe storage space? You may want to consider investing in a secure and temperature-controlled storage unit instead of relying on your garage.