At NationServe, we know what an asset a garage can be when its potential as a storage space is maximized. However, we also know that it can quickly become a hazard zone when you keep the wrong things inside. That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide outlining what you should and shouldn’t store in your garage. Follow these tips to keep your garage safe and accessible as well as your possessions secure and in good condition.

3 TYPES OF THINGS NOT TO STORE IN YOUR GARAGE

Let’s start by going over what you shouldn’t keep in your garage:

1. Items that are sensitive to temperature changes
Keep in mind that most garages aren’t fully climate controlled. This means anything you keep in there has to be able to withstand fluctuations in temperature throughout the year. Here are six types of items that are temperature-sensitive and shouldn’t be kept in the garage:

• Paint. Extreme cold and extreme heat will negatively affect paint’s consistency, making it either too thick or too watery. Don’t keep paint in the garage if you live in an area that gets very warm or very cold.
• Wine.  Fluctuating temperatures can cause wine corks to expand and contract, allowing air to seep into the bottle and contaminate the wine.
  
• Wooden furniture. Wood that’s exposed to excess moisture can crack, warp, and rot over time. Wooden furniture should only be stored in climate-controlled spaces that won’t become too humid.
• Photographs and important documents. Photos and papers can be damaged when stored in places that become very humid. Warm temperatures can also cause the images in photos to deteriorate over time.
• Electronics. Most electronics don’t do well with temperature shifts. Computers, TVs, and DVD players can be damaged by extreme heat or cold.
• Refrigerators. Although it’s tempting to keep a refrigerator in your garage for storing extra food and drinks, it can be a huge drain on your energy bill. Because of the lack of climate control, the fridge will have to work harder in both warm and cold temperatures to preserve your food.

Note: your garage door can help with regulating the temperature of your garage. A garage door’s R-value measures its insulation value and resistance to heat flow. The higher the door’s R-value, the better protected your garage will be against drastic temperature changes. At NationServe, we recommend choosing garage doors with a high R-value, especially if you spend a lot of time in your garage.

2. Hazardous materials
Propane gas, such as the tanks used for propane grills, should never be kept inside a garage as a single spark could set the tank—and the rest of your house—on fire. Some hazardous materials can be stored in your garage, but you’ll need to take proper precautions. For example, it’s okay to keep gasoline in there as long as it’s in the right sealed containers and kept away from possible ignition sources.

3. Items that could attract pests
Since the garage is the largest point of entry to your home, pests like mice, bats, possums, and insects can easily infiltrate it. Avoid keeping food—including pet food, birdseed, and canned goods—in your garage so you don’t attract pests.

You should also avoid storing clothes, bedding, cardboard, firewood, and paper products in the garage, as these items can easily become homes for insects and rodents.

3 TYPES OF THINGS YOU CAN KEEP IN YOUR GARAGE

Don’t be discouraged— there are plenty of things that you can and should keep in the garage:

1. Your car and all the supplies that go with it
Garages are designed for our cars, after all. They’re ideal for keeping your vehicle (or vehicles) protected from the elements and storing car-related items like tire inflators, wiper fluid, and roof racks.

2. Gardening tools and accessories
Most tools used in gardening and for working in the yard are safe to store in your garage. This includes items like flowerpots, gardening soil, manure, fertilizers, shovels, and equipment like lawn mowers and weed whackers.

3. Anything designed for outdoor recreational use  
Patio furniture, outdoor children’s toys, bikes, and sports equipment are all designed for outside use and, therefore, ideal items to keep in the garage. Storing them this way will protect them from rain, sun, snow, and wind damage as well as from taking up space elsewhere in your home. Plus, keeping them in the garage means they’re easily accessible when you want to take them out for some fun.