10 Surprising Things That Shouldn’t Be Stored Outdoors

Whether you live in a city condo, a suburban home, or a palatial estate, we all have a finite amount of storage space. So, you might be tempted to store the things that have been crowding the inside of your home in an outdoor space such as your garage or shed. However, this isn’t always a good idea. Here are some surprising things that shouldn’t be stored outside so your items can last in good condition as long as possible.

Plastic Furniture

While you might be tempted to leave those plastic beach chairs in your shed between trips to the shore, you might find yourself with a real problem once you hit the sand. The heat from the sun can cause plastic and vinyl to crack over time, so bring them down to the basement or stash these items in a closet instead.

Batteries

Shantae Duckworth, professional organizer and founder of Shantaeize Your Space, says batteries should be stored indoors. “Extreme temperatures can cause batteries to leak or lose their charge. When I work with clients, I recommend keeping any batteries indoors in a cool, dry place to ensure they stay effective and safe,” she says.

Battery Operated Devices

This rule also applies to any device that has a battery in it, such as battery-operated toys, tools, and gadgets. “These items can be damaged by moisture and temperature changes. Make sure to store them inside to prevent rust, corrosion, and other damage that can render them useless,” explains Duckworth.

Paints and Stains

According to Siobhan Alvarez-Borland, DIY and lifestyle expert, storing paint outside is a bad idea. “Paint cans left outside can rust, and the paint can spoil from temperature extremes. I suggest keeping paint in a basement or garage where temperatures are more stable and won’t compromise the quality or color of the paint.”

This also applies to wood stains, which can become damaged from heat.

Papers

If your home office is feeling a bit crowded these days, you’re better off decluttering instead of putting those important papers outside in your garage or shed. Insects such as silverfish feast on paper. Not only does this mean you can lose your important paperwork, but it could also lead to an infestation.

So keep important documents like social security cards and birth certificates inside and shred paperwork you only think you need, such as tax records, credit card bills, and bank statements, which are typically available online.

Books

Whether it’s those textbooks you never got rid of in college (after all, you paid good money for them) or all of those paperback beach reads you enjoy indulging in, sometimes we forget that books are made from paper. So either fill up your shelves indoors or drop off a few boxes at your local thrift shop or library if they accept donated books.

Electronics

If you’ve been wondering what you should do with your old computer or an obsolete DVD player you no longer use, it’s best to have these items properly recycled because wires can attract mice. Rodents are probably the last thing you want to deal with in your garage or shed.

Food

We all go overboard every now and then at our local warehouse store, stocking up on canned goods, or finding a great deal at the supermarket on shelf-stable staples like rice or mac and cheese. But food needs to be stored inside. The heat can cause canned food to spoil before the expiration date or even freeze during the colder months. Mice and insects can find their way into boxed or bagged food, even if it’s never been opened. If these things go bad, you don’t end up saving money after all.

Water Bottles

Cases of water can take up a lot of space. So you might be tempted to stack a few in your garage, but this isn’t a smart move. Over time, heat can degrade the plastic, which can leach chemicals into your water, making it unsafe to drink. Yes, even BPA-free water bottles are made with other chemicals. So make some room in your pantry or invest in a water filter instead.