ITEMS TO AVOID STORING IN A GARAGE

Now that the summer has come to an end, you might have more time to focus on your home and give it a fall refresh. The garage is often the place where we store miscellaneous items, but it’s important to be mindful of what we keep in there. If you’re planning to clean out your garage this season, make sure to remove any items that shouldn’t be stored there and find a safe place for them inside your home.

• Pet food
  

  If you have pets, you know that bags of pet food can be quite bulky and occupy a lot of space. One great way to save indoor space is to store them in the garage. But, this can be a double-edged sword as it may attract rodents and pests. The smell of pet food is alluring to them and can be an invitation for them to enter your garage, increasing the risk of infestation and contamination of the food. Therefore, it’s important to store pet food in a secured container to prevent rodents and pests from accessing it. This way, you can save space and safeguard your pet’s food from unwanted guests.

• Packaged food
  

  It’s important to keep in mind that storing pet food, snacks, or any other dry goods in your garage can attract rodents and pests. To prevent these unwanted visitors, it’s best to store all food inside your home. This may mean limiting your trips to Costco, but it’s a small price to pay for a pest-free environment.

• Clothing
  

  Do you have a habit of storing your clothes in the garage or keeping bags of clothing and linens ready for donations? It’s important to ensure that these soft textiles are properly taken care of to prevent them from becoming a home for moths, mildew, or rodents. By storing them indoors and donating them promptly, you can keep these pests away from your soft materials and ensure their longevity.

• Art
  

  If you have a collection of art that you’re not currently displaying, it’s important to store it in a suitable environment. Ideally, the space should be humidity and moisture-free, with a consistent temperature. This will help protect your collection from potential damage caused by mould, mildew, and humidity. While it may be tempting to store your art in a garage, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks associated with fluctuating temperatures throughout the year.

• Paper documents, books and photographs
  

  It’s always a good idea to keep important paper documents away from the garage, just like you would with precious artworks. This is because excessive humidity or even flooding can cause irreparable damage to them. Similarly, rodents and pests can easily access and shred them to make nests. If you are a book lover, it’s essential to keep your collection away from the garage as well, to prevent the pages and spine from getting damaged by moisture and humidity. Your precious photographs also need to be protected from moisture to prevent them from sticking together and getting damaged.

• Propane tanks
  

  If you’re planning to do some grilling this season, it’s always a good idea to have a spare propane tank on hand. However, it’s important to keep in mind that propane tanks can pose a fire hazard if not stored properly. To ensure safety, it’s recommended that you store propane tanks in a well-ventilated area away from any structures. By taking these precautions, you can enjoy grilling with peace of mind.

• Paint
  

  It’s common to end up with extra paint after a project, which many people tend to store in the garage for future touch-ups. However, this can take up valuable space and expose the paint to extreme temperatures, affecting its consistency and rendering it unusable. A better approach would be to store the paint indoors or dispose of it properly once the project is complete. This way, you can free up space in your garage and ensure that the paint remains in good condition for future use.

• Firewood
  

  If you’re looking to keep your home free from pests, it’s best to avoid storing firewood in your garage. Wood is a common hiding place for pests, and by keeping it in your garage, you could be providing an open invitation for them to make themselves at home. This can quickly lead to an infestation that can be difficult to control and may even spread to other parts of your home.

If you find yourself struggling with storage space and are looking for a home with a garage to provide that extra bit of room, we would be happy to help! We will work with you to find the perfect home that meets your needs and makes storing your day-to-day items a breeze.