Do you actually park your car in your garage or is just full of stuff? According to a Consumer Reports survey nearly one-third of homeowners with a garage never park their vehicles there, and more than 60 percent admitted that their garages were crowded and disorganized.
But garages, whether attached or detached, aren’t the best places for storing some of your stuff because of lack of climate and humidity control. It is especially true for these items:
Books, periodicals, photos, documents, and other papers (especially family keepsakes):
Moisture-laden, humid air can damage any paper product beyond repair and mice, or other pests may use your wedding photos for nesting material. For the same reasons your garage is not a good place to store clothing.
Paint or solvent: Wide temperature swings will quickly ruin paint, especially latex (water-based) paints which can freeze in our cold midwestern winters.
A refrigerator or freezer: In the summertime when your garage is hot, your refrigerator will struggle to stay cool, driving up your electric bill. In the wintertime, cold temperatures will interfere with the proper operation of the appliance’s compressor.
Gasoline or oil: If your water heater sits in your garage, don’t store gasoline nearby. Gasoline vapors could reach the pilot light and cause a fire or an explosion. In all cases be sure that gas is stored in an approved container.
Indoor furniture
Temperature and humidity changes can warp or crack wood furniture and metal furniture will likely rust.
