What Should Not Be Stored In a Garage? - Banko (2024)

By: Niki D'Angelo | Published:

What Should Not Be Stored In a Garage? - Banko (1)

Everyone uses their garage to store extra belongings, keeping them out of sight and out of mind. However, there are many objects you shouldn’t store in your garage, as they can create many safety hazards.

This guide will discuss what to avoid storing in your garage.

1. Propane

Propane is unstable and highly flammable, meaning drastic temperature changes in your garage can damage the tank or even cause an explosion. Propane tanks are also susceptible to leaks, especially if the valve isn’t fully tightened, putting you at risk of asphyxiation while creating further chances of combustion.

2. Electronics

Most garages are not temperature-controlled like houses, meaning they experience conditions that are not ideal for electronics. For example, high humidity levels can cause moisture to seep into your electronics, creating serious internal damage. Extreme temperature fluctuations may cause electronics to perform less efficiently.

3. Paper Products

Be sure to keep paper products like newspapers, books, magazines and photos out of your garage. These materials require storage in well-insulated areas free of contaminants like moisture, dirt, vermin and temperature extremes. The only way to safely store your paper products in the garage is in a sealed container to keep out pests, moisture and pollutants.

4. Food

Food — fresh or canned — is another thing you shouldn’t store in the garage. Your garage’s hot, damp conditions can cause cans to rust and food to spoil much faster, making it unsafe to eat. Food can also attract rodents and insects.

5. Paint Cans

What Should Not Be Stored In a Garage? - Banko (2)

Your garage may seem like a useful place to store your paint cans, but these products won’t last long when exposed to hot temperatures that cause them to curdle or spoil.

Paint fumes can also be highly toxic, especially when in an enclosed space. In even more serious situations, the heat may cause your paint cans to pop open and become unusable. Storing paint cans on cement floors will cause rust to develop faster than it would on a shelf.

6. Clothing and Bedding

While there’s nothing dangerous about storing clothes or bedding in your garage, they can be easily ruined by animals and insects like raccoons, mice, moths and beetles. Humid temperatures can also create mold, mildew and odors on your fabrics and linens, even if they’re in a box.

7. Wine

There’s nothing worse than storing a nice bottle of wine for a special occasion and discovering that it’s no longer drinkable. Putting your wine in the garage can alter its composition and color due to light and heat fluctuations, causing the taste and quality to decrease.

Update Your Garage With Garage Doors From Banko Today

Now that you know what to avoid in a hot garage, consider purchasing a top-of-the-line garage door from Banko Overhead Doors. We’ve served customers across West Central Florida since 1984, making us the experienced professionals you can trust.

Browse our extensive garage door selection or contact us directly today!

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What Should Not Be Stored In a Garage? - Banko (2024)

FAQs

What Should Not Be Stored In a Garage? - Banko? ›

While you're editing your belongings, keep in mind three rules of thumb for appropriate garage storage: Don't store items that could be damaged by extreme or fluctuating temperatures, belongings that could be ruined by moisture and humidity, or hazardous materials that could damage your home.

What Cannot be stored in the garage? ›

While you're editing your belongings, keep in mind three rules of thumb for appropriate garage storage: Don't store items that could be damaged by extreme or fluctuating temperatures, belongings that could be ruined by moisture and humidity, or hazardous materials that could damage your home.

What chemicals should not be stored in the garage? ›

Hazardous materials - Anything flammable like cleaning chemicals or propane gas is unsafe to store in your garage. If the materials ignite, a fire or explosion could occur.

Can light bulbs be stored in an unheated garage? ›

The best way to store light bulbs without their original packaging (e.g., in a garage or storage closet) is safely away from water sources, extreme heat, cold temperatures, or any hazardous materials like gasoline or paint thinner. Always store bulbs upright if possible.

Is it okay to store boxes in the garage? ›

The garage or basem*nt may seem like a good place to store recyclables and boxes you think you may need again, but pests love to make nests in these open stacks of paper or cardboard boxes. Move them to covered recycling bins and discard them regularly.

Can you store toilet paper in the garage? ›

The second thing our garage storage advice recommends you store elsewhere are any paper-based products and items. The changing temperatures and moisture levels that all garages experience are particularly unkind to these items.

Is it okay to store DVDs in the garage? ›

Excessive heat and humidity can damage discs (CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays) over extended periods of time. For example, be sure to store your CDs in a closet in your home or office rather than the garage or attic. The heat and humidity in these environments will damage your discs over time.

Can bleach be stored in the garage? ›

Can bleach and ammonia be stored in the garage? Yes, but they should be kept in well-sealed containers and stored separately to prevent any chemical reactions. It's also important to avoid extreme temperature fluctuations.

What fumes are toxic from garage? ›

Warming your car up while in the garage - even for two minutes - produces toxic amounts of carbon monoxide. That dangerous gas tends to remain in the garage, taking a long time to dissipate and in the case of attached garages, leaking into other areas of the home.

What is a hazardous substance found in the garage? ›

Antifreeze, windshield washer fluid, carburetor cleaner, fuel additives, and similar products for cars have a wide range of formulations. Some ingredients, such as ethylene glycol or methanol, can be toxic even if only a mouthful is swallowed. The victim could become very sleepy and perhaps slip into a coma.

Can photo albums be stored in a garage? ›

Too much temperature fluctuation is also bad, so don't place these items in your garage (plus the garage tends to be one of the dirtiest parts of the house). The basic rule of thumb is if the temperature is uncomfortable for you, you shouldn't be storing anything valuable there.

Should batteries be stored in the garage? ›

Keep Batteries At Room Temperature

Don't leave batteries in devices and left in sheds, garages, or outdoors. We recommend storing your batteries at room temperature, ideally 15° Celsius, the perfect temperature for most batteries.

Is it okay to store power tool batteries in the garage? ›

Store batteries in a cool, dry area of the garage to prevent extreme temperatures from affecting performance and lifespan. Avoid direct sunlight, heat sources, and moisture exposure.

What shouldn't you store in the garage? ›

Hazardous Risks
  • Propane Tanks. Your garage may seem like a great place to keep your bulky propane tank. ...
  • Pesticides. As a rule of thumb, you shouldn't store pesticides in your garage. ...
  • Portable Gas Cans. You should also keep portable gas cans out of your garage. ...
  • Oily Rags. ...
  • Books. ...
  • Firewood. ...
  • Pet Food. ...
  • Clothing.
Apr 7, 2024

Can you store sleeping bags in the garage? ›

Moisture and temperature extremes are hard on your bag, so avoid damp basem*nts and unheated (and uncooled) spaces like garages and attics. Susceptibility to temperature extremes also makes car trunks a no-no. Find an honored position in the corner of one of your closets instead.

How best to store books in a garage? ›

Store books in plastic boxes

Preferably opaque ones, with lids, that will stop light from getting to the books and damaging them. Plastic boxes will also protect your books from rodents if you are storing them in a garage or garden shed, and are easy to stack in out of the way places.

Can I store a TV in the garage? ›

There are many risks to storing your TV in a garage. Humidity can cause moisture buildup on your electronic components and extreme temperature will warp or bend exposed parts of your television. Moreover, placing your electronics out in your garage, where it's a busy place, can risk it being nicked or scratched.

Can fabric be stored in the garage? ›

Fluctuating temperatures and humidity are not ideal conditions for storing fabric. It can get mouldy, and rodents love to chew it. It's tempting to stash sleeping bags with other non-fabric camping supplies in the garage, but don't do it!

Can sleeping bags be stored in the garage? ›

Although most camping gear can take up residence in the garage, sleeping bags should always be kept indoors. The reality is that anything made with fabric will look inviting to bugs and rodents alike.

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