11 Things You Should NEVER Store in the Garage

While it’s not necessarily unsafe to store paint in the garage, high or low temperatures can affect the quality. “Paint shouldn’t go there, because temperature swings can degrade it,” says Dan DiClerico, Director of the Home Improvement and Outdoor Lab in the Institute.

The garage might seem like a good place to keep firewood safe from wet weather, but it can actually bring pests into your home if you don’t thoroughly check it beforehand. Plus, without proper ventilation, mold and mildew could form on your firewood.

When stored in the garage, gasoline and propane tanks can become a potential fire hazard. “Gasoline is best kept in an outdoor shed. That’s because garages often have equipment with pilot lights, like a water heater. Vapors from stored fuel could react with the open flame and cause an explosion,” says DiClerico.

RELATED: The Best Sheds for Every Backyard and Budget

Electronics should not be stored in a space that gets super cold in the winter or extremely hot in the summer. Because garages are not temperature controlled, they are not a safe space to store any sort of electronics.

If you keep your garbage in your garage, you could be attracting pests and critters without even knowing. Your trash is a rodent and insect magnet, especially when not properly sealed. DiClerico especially warns against keeping garbage in your garage if you park your car inside: “Mice are known to nest under car hoods, especially in colder months, when the engine keeps them warm.”

Paper is affected by excess moisture, so if your garage experiences high humidity, it’s best to keep all books and important papers inside the house. Not only could pages begin to curl, but they could also become moldy over time.

Pet food doesn’t only attract your dogs or cats — it can also attract critters from outside. Keep pet food in the kitchen with the rest of your food to avoid welcoming in any pests.

Avoid storing clothing, bedding, towels or any other fabrics in the garage. Insects like moths can actually eat through clothing, and humidity can cause mold to grow. Plus, you don’t want any musty odors transferring onto your linens anyway.

RELATED: The Best Closet Organization Ideas

Since most physical photos or pieces of artwork are one of a kind, you’ll want to find a safe space for them. Like paper, photos and other artwork are susceptible to damage from pests and mildew.

Refrain from leaving any oily rags in the garage — they could catch fire, according to DiClerico. “After working on the car in the garage or doing a DIY project that involves an oil-based wood finish, you might be tempted to leave behind a pile of oily rags. Don’t! The oxidation process can result in temperatures that are high enough for the oil to spontaneously combust, causing the risk of serious fire,” he says.