What Not to Store in Your Garage Space | Billy.com

Garage spaces make for great workshops, hobby rooms, or even home theaters. However, more often than not, we fill these areas with a diverse range of clutter from around our homes. But garages aren’t designed to protect every type of item. In fact, there are plenty of things that you should never consider keeping there if you can help it. Here is a list of what not to store in your garage space and a few alternatives to help you keep this area organized.

Food or Drinks

Many people designate certain sections of the garage for snacks and drinks, much like an extra pantry. But this can quickly lead to trouble if you aren’t careful. Insects and rodents can smell these food items for miles, attracting them to your home. In addition, exposure to heat or humidity can cause them to spoil much faster than they would inside. Instead, consider adopting new organizational methods to increase your indoor pantry spaces and limiting your purchases to only what you can fit into it.

Family Photos

It’s also a bad idea to keep precious family pictures and albums out in the garage. As humidity levels rise and fall at certain points of the year, these items can become damp and damaged. Keeping them in a closet or attic will preserve them better in the long term. Even if you don’t currently have full use of your attic space, investing in a storage lifting system can help you keep all your fragile belongings safe.

Important Documents

Another set of items you should not store in your garage space is your important household documents, such as bills or legal records. Like photographs, these papers are susceptible to humidity and will wrinkle or fade in your garage. Since these documents are essential to caring for and maintaining your home, you should keep them somewhere in the home instead.

Propane Tanks

Keep your propane tanks and other flammables out of your garage as well. While many of these gases are tightly contained, they can spring leaks as they age and put your entire home in danger. For this reason, storing them away from the house, such as in the shed, is much more suitable.

Electronics

Above all, though, make sure you’re not letting your expensive electronics sit in the garage for long periods. Exposure to the elements and pests can severely damage these devices, making them unusable or dangerous to operate. Plus, it’s a waste of money as you’ll need to replace them.