7 Things You Shouldn't Store in Your Garage This Summer

A home can contain lots of items you don’t quite know what to do with, and the garage can seem like the perfect place to store extra canned goods or leftover paint. But in the summer months, a garage can reach miserably hot temperatures. Some items may get damaged by the heat or even create hazardous conditions, so it's good to know what things not to store in a garage in the summer.

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Things You Shouldn't Store in Your Garage During the Summer

On a hot day, the temperature inside a garage can get significantly higher than what the outdoor thermometer reads, especially if the space is uninsulated and lacks ventilation. Don't assume belongings are safe in the garage simply because they’re indoors. Here are seven things not to store in your garage over the summer.

1. Paint and Solvents

Paints and solvents should be stored at fairly mild temperatures, with some manufacturers recommending a range of 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Since a summer garage is often hotter than the outdoors, it can easily exceed this ideal range. Heat causes the chemicals to break down and ruins the quality of the product. However, overheated paint and solvents can also pose a fire hazard and create safety concerns such as bursting containers and off-gassing fumes.

2. Electronics

Electronics are heat-sensitive items. High temperatures can damage components, warp plastic and break down adhesives. Even if electronics are able to survive some amount of heat exposure, long-term storage in a garage during the summer can lead to damage or a shortened lifespan.

3. Batteries

A garage might seem like a convenient place to store extra batteries for flashlights or other items, but heat can cause batteries to swell or lose their charge. Batteries can also become hazardous items in a hot garage. If the swelling gets so bad the battery leaks, you may end up with a mess of corrosive, flammable chemicals.

4. Propane Tanks

Storing flammable items in a garage isn't advisable at any time of year. Propane tanks should never be exposed to temperatures above 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Storing propane in a garage with direct sunlight exposure or located in a hot climate can be a dangerous mistake. Although garages sited in cooler climates may not reach this high a temperature, you should always store propane tanks outside due to the risk of explosion.

5. Photos and Important Documents

Sometimes you don’t know what to do with old photos and documents. You can’t throw them away, but putting them in the garage isn’t the best solution. High summer temperatures can cause paper and ink to deteriorate quickly. If summers are humid where you live, storing photos and important documents in a garage without climate control can also result in mold and mildew damage.

6. Canned Goods and Pet Food

Storing extra food can be smart, but food is better kept in a cool cellar or air-conditioned space. High temperatures can promote rapid bacterial growth in food, which can be extremely dangerous for people and pets. Temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit can lead to spoilage in canned goods. Not all spoilage is obvious, so it’s risky to eat improperly stored foods.

7. Clothing

Tucking winter clothing items away in the garage may seem like a good seasonal organization plan. After all, bulky winter coats can take up excessive space in your closet. But fabric exposed to prolonged heat can develop a variety of issues such as discoloration and mold growth. Fabrics may also become more brittle as fibers and elastics break down in the heat. Clothes stored in a hot garage over the summer may be exposed to moths and rodents and develop unpleasant odors.

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As a General Rule, What Kinds of Things Just Can't Withstand the Summer Heat?

Certain things just can’t withstand heat. As a best practice for garage storage, avoid keeping the following items there over the summer months:

• Furniture and musical instruments. Heat will cause warping and glue degradation.

• Items with complex chemical components. Wine, alcohol and medicine can all be damaged by heat and become ineffective or even dangerous to consume. Certain adhesives and cleaners can also be ruined if stored in an overheated area.

• Thin plastics or other delicate materials. Plastics can warp, rubber can dry out and leather can crack if stored in a too-hot garage.

When you consider things not to store in the garage this summer, remember the temperature inside can exceed the high outdoors. Always consider whether your valuables can be safely stored at a high temperature for an extended time.