5 Unexpected Things One Should Never Store in the Garage

5 Unexpected Things One Should Never Store in the Garage

If your garage has turned into a makeshift storage unit, you are not alone. 

There are many people who use the extra space around the car to pile everything they don't need. But are you sure that the things that you are throwing away can't come back to haunt you when they turn into dangerous situations?

A garage storing space isn't always climate controlled and temperatures can differ during the day and during the seasons. Some items might not fare so well under these altering circumstances.

Here are a few things that should rather stay away from the garage:

No.1 - Your family photos

Remember that old photo your mother took of you and the neighbor's kids playing around in the pool? Sure, you might not want to hang it on your wall, but the sentiment is still important.

As it turns out, it would be better to keep these keepsakes away from the garage.

Pollutants and moisture are quick to destroy photos and within a year or two, the color will be faded. This is true for old school slides as well.

Rather digitize your photos and films so that you have a backup. If you do want printed copies, store them in a dry area inside your home.

No.2 - Car batteries

Surely a garage is the perfect place to store a car battery seeing as it is where the car is kept, right?

Wrong.

Laying a car battery on concrete can drain and ruin the battery.

Concrete is porous in nature and has the ability to collect moisture. It is then transferred to a battery sitting on top of it resulting in a premature drain.

Newer batteries might be affected less by external moisture, but it would still be a good idea to place the battery on top of a piece of wood before storing it in the garage.

No.3 - Artwork and collectibles

Hopefully, you haven't stored a Picasso in your garage, but you might have other odds and sods like coin collection, your Manchester United Championship jersey, and maybe even some toys you had as a kid.

Dampness can cause coins to tarnish and mold, insects will have a feast on your paintings, dirt and dust can build up on almost anything, and fumes from your car can penetrate textiles and canvas.

Garages also provide easy access for thieves. Rather keep your collectibles in a cool room inside the house.

No.4 - Food

Per No.3 above, keep your stuff in a cool room inside the house, unless you have a fridge or a freezer in your garage. However, that pot of strawberry jam has no place to be in the garage. Rather have it on your toast.

Food attracts vermin and they often chew holes into the packaging in order to get to the food. If you thought canned food was safe, think again.

Summer days can seriously spoil them and winter temperatures are also not too fantastic for them to be in. Canned food work best indoors and fresh food should be stored in plastic bags and sealed before they are stored in the pantry.

No.5 - Your pet

Yeah, you are probably thinking, what? Why would your pet be in your garage?

It often happens that there is a lack of space and a pet needs to be put away when guests come over. The garage then becomes the best solution.

However, temperatures aren't always great for pets when they are in the garage. During winter it becomes freezing and in the summer your pet might gasp for air in the sweltering heat.

Rather consider keeping your pet in another room or another area while you have guests or while you are at work.