1. FLAMMABLE ITEMS
2. ANYTHING MADE OF PAPER
3. CLOTHING OR BEDDING
If paper is susceptible to mold and mildew, then it's no surprise that fabrics are too. Clothing and bedding, even old sets that you no longer wear or use, should never be stored in a garage – even in plastic tubs or on garage shelving, says Nancy Traylor, expert organizer.
4. FOOD – INCLUDING PET FOOD
5. PAINT
Also commonly kept in shed storage, paint is a tricky item to find a place for when organizing a home. Although it might make sense to keep a can of paint in a working area like a garage, cold temperatures can decrease the quality and render it useless for decorating a home.
6. OLD, EMPTY BOXES
7. ELECTRONICS – INCLUDING APPLIANCES
8. ANYTHING THAT NEEDS REPAIRS
9. FIREWOOD
If you have a log-burning stove, then a garage may be a convenient place to keep your firewood dry – especially if it is connected to your home for easy access. However, any log pile is a five-star hotel for bugs, meaning they are better off outside in sheds, advises Nancy Traylor, expert organizer. ‘Instead, find a place outside that is still convenient and cover the firewood with a tarp.’
10. TOYS
There comes a time in most households with children that toys and games begin to outgrow toy storage and even playroom storage, but that doesn't mean old toys and excess games should flow over into the garage. ‘Dirt, and dust gravitate towards toys, says Elizabeth Lulu Miranda, a professional organizer at Mercury Organizing, ‘and depending on how long they sit there, the plastics could get dry and brittle, making them crack, and soft toys can develop mold.’
11. CLEANING SUPPLIES
‘Cleaning supplies shouldn’t be stored in the garage,’ begins Chi Ip, owner of Tidy Here Cleaning Service in Boston. ‘A garage is a place prone to temperature changes and there are cleaning supplies that are sensitive to heat and moisture – this also means they are often on the list of things not to store under the kitchen sink, too.