Have you ever heard the old adage….don’t do as I do, but do as I say?
That, my dear readers is my disclaimer, although I can say I have corrected a few things in my garage.
According to Readers Digest…there are things you should never store in your garage and because I have been on a cleaning/de-cluttering kick as of late, I just had to investigate to see which of these I should make a do instead of a don’t.
#1….Do NOT store or keep an extra refrigerator in your garage.
Yikes! Right off the get-go…I have a no-no in my garage.
According to the Readers Digest:
“We have some bad news for your extra sodas and beers. Since refrigerators work best at 67 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit, rising temperatures in your garage can cause it to work harder to keep your food cool, spiking your energy bill to levels that will make you sweat. It’s a bad idea during wintertime, too; according to Rodale’s Organic Life, fridges operate less efficiently at temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit and won’t run at all below 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Save a few bucks on your electric and grocery bills by shopping for just enough food to fit in your kitchen fridge, or keep an extra fridge in your basement. Clear some room in yours: These are foods you shouldn’t keep in the fridge anyway.”
OK, I realize all of the above, but I do not have a basement here in Florida and I not only have my extra fridge in the garage, I also have my freezer.
#2…..Do NOT store canned foods in the garage.
Whew! I get an A+ on that one. I do not store foods of any kind in my garage.
“Although they may seem invincible, canned items like beans and tomato sauce can quickly spoil when subjected to extreme hot and cold weather. In fact, canned goods have a “shorter shelf life in any room that gets hotter than 70 degrees,” according to Good Housekeeping. The solution? Store it all indoors. It’s a great excuse to clean out your packed pantry and revamp it with a new shelving system that will keep everything fresh and organized. These are zones every organized pantry should have.”
(Other than the fridge, but we have already given myself the red check on that one)
#3…..Do NOT store electronics in the garage.
“DVD players, stereos, televisions, and computers are sensitive to severe fluctuations in temperature and could be damaged in the summer heat or winter freeze. Unless your garage is well ventilated and humidity-free, you’ll want to store your expensive electronics somewhere else, like on a shelf in a closet or a dry basement.”
I am also good on that one unless you count the old broken toaster that I have been keeping for spare parts because my same model toaster needs some spare parts….and the Captain says he can fix it “one of these days”. Hmmmmmm…I think one of these days was last year. UGH!!!
#4…..Do NOT store propane tanks in your garage.
Confession time,…again! Guilty as charged.
“Propane tanks for your grill or camping stove should never cross your doorway—not even into the garage—or your could find yourself facing a homeowner’s nightmare. If the propane leaks into an enclosed, unventilated area, a simple act like starting your car risks igniting a fire, says Rodale’s Organic Life. Always keep propane tanks outdoors and make sure they’re screwed tightly shut.”
AND, because I like keeping it real my dear readers…I not only kept my propane tank in the garage…it was less than two feet from the gas hot water heater!
Yikes!!!!! I know, I should have known better.
#5…..Do NOT leave pet food or bird seed in your garage.
“Open bags of pet food or birdseed can attract unwanted pests into your garage, and even sealed bags can tempt mice to burrow into your pup’s favorite treats. Keep any dry food items in a sealed, airtight container in your pantry or cupboards.”
Another A+ for me on this one. I do not store any kind of dried food/or garden fertilizers, etc in my garage. Florida has enough critters without me inviting them in to sit down, make a nest and have a cup of tea too.
#6…..Do NOT store seasonal clothing in your garage.
“Wool jackets, boots, rain slickers, scarves—basically anything you want to bring out of storage and wear when the weather turns—should be stored in airtight containers indoors,” organizing and storing expert Emma Gordon told Real Simple. “If stored in a garage, fumes and superfine dust brought in by the family car will work its way into the containers, making your clothing stink.” Plus, the fabric will be vulnerable to pesky insects and vermin, who can nibble away at your favorite sweater.”
Same answer as above….I live in FLORIDA folks. Yes, it is a paradise but along with paradise comes “one season wear”…however, I did just donate a box of sweaters to Goodwill a month or so ago.
#7….Do NOT store old furniture in your garage.
“Rodents love to make nests out of couch cushions, and wooden tables and chairs can become warped after spending a summer in the heat and humidity. You’re better off donating any furniture you can’t use, or store them in an attic or basement if you have room.”
Well….I have a yes and no answer here.
I have had furniture in my garage, stay a little longer than the party…as it seemed they didn’t know when to go home…in other words get donated or taken to our controlled climate storage building way out in the North 40.
That is/was another of those… “I will get to it one of these days” comments by my already busy Captain. 🙂
#8…..Do Not store paint in your garage.
“The garage seems like the perfect place for all those half-filled buckets of paint leftover from your latest redecorating spree, but it’s actually one of the worst. Storing unused paint cans in the garage can subject them to extreme temperature changes, which can ruin the color (even if they’re sealed airtight), according to Good Housekeeping. Plus, leaving cans directly on the cement surface of your garage will cause them to rust faster, leaving an unsightly stain on your floor that’s hard to remove. To ensure your extra paint doesn’t go to waste, store it on a shelf in a temperature-controlled room that’s easily accessible when your walls need a quick touch-up. If you don’t have any room inside, many communities have designated places to donate paint, or you can safely dispose of it by adding a little paint hardener before tossing the can in the garbage.”
Truth??? Of course, I will always tell you the truth.
I DO keep paint in my garage in a closed cabinet…although I usually don’t have a lot of paint left over from any painting job, unless you count my chalk paint and it is stored in the house in a cupboard.
So there you have it…
Can you check off all the boxes of garage storage at your home?
Confess please, so I won’t have to feel like I am the only one who needed to “rethink’ storage.
Hugs and Blessings Always
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