The garage is not only an excellent place to park and protect your car, it’s also a great spot for storage.
With so much space available, and behind a sturdy garage door, it can be easy to simply chuck everything in the garage because you never know when you might need it right?
As time goes on, your garage soon becomes cluttered. Full of items that you probably don’t even need anymore but have forgotten about over time.
When it comes to storing things in the garage, there are certain things you should never keep in the garage, including old books, electronics, firewood, paint and more.
With a plan to declutter your garage, here are 7 things you should never leave in your garage.
1. Old books
As much as you’d like to save your old book collection (books you probably haven’t read in years) they are a magnet for pests. They are also highly susceptible to growing mould in humid temperatures and we all know how muggy it can get in Perth.
The last thing you’d want is for mould to spread throughout your garage, requiring you to do a complete cleansing. Old books are also highly flammable and can add more fuel to a fire, especially in hot dry climates.
2. Propane gas tanks
Storing your BBQs propane gas tank in your garage is a safety risk. The fumes from a gas leak could potentially ignite when starting your car and the effects can be devastating, especially in a tight space like the garage.
It’s best to store your gas tanks in a well ventilated and shaded area, making sure the valve is facing the opposite direction of your home, especially if you live in a bushfire prone area.
3. Any kind of foods
Unless you plan on inviting rodents and other pests into your garage, we recommend keeping all foods inside your pantry or tightly secured inside your home. Fluctuating temperatures can also affect canned foods and cause bacteria to grow.
The extreme humidity levels in Perth can cause metal cans and lids to rust, ultimately spoiling the food inside and making it easier for pests to penetrate.
4. Wood
Like old books, wood is susceptible to changes in humidity and will warp and contract as the moisture level changes in the air. This quickly becomes a breeding ground for unwanted pests. Extreme changes in temperature can also render wooden furniture cracked, warped and unsafe, so you might want to think twice about keeping those old wooden dining chairs.
Piles of firewood are not only magnets for pests such as termites, they are also highly flammable in bushfire prone areas. Keep firewood outdoors in a dry and well ventilated area about 6 metres from the nearest door of your home.
5. Paint
First things first, always check the label for recommended storage temperatures. Extremely hot temperatures and freezing cold winters can alter the paint formula.
Metal paint tins exposed to high humidity levels and moisture will cause the tin to rust and ultimately spoil the paint inside. Left over paint tins should be kept in a cool and dry environment if you plan to use them in the future.
6. Old clothing and fabrics
Storing old clothing and fabrics in black garbage bags in the garage won’t protect it from the humidity, heat or cold your garage experiences throughout the year. Pests and rodents also love building their homes in warm moist environments that these bundles of fabric and clothing provides. For drier climates, they become a fire hazard as highly flammable material.
Go through your stored clothing and fabrics and decide what you want to keep and donate, and bin the rest. For best storage practices, keep them in vacuum sealed bags inside your home.
7. Old electronics
Old electronics tend to get stored in our garages or sheds until it curb side collection day. However, keeping old electronics such as DVD players, Playstation consoles, TVs, radios, computers or old appliances can be susceptible to moisture getting into the electrical components and poses a serious risk of electrocution.
Improper storage of cords can also act as a tripping hazard. Contact your local council for instructions on how to recycle e-waste.
