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Sheds are synonymous with ‘stockroom’, holding a time-honoured reputation as garden storage champions. The classic wooden shed, for one, serves as a versatile haven for stashing various items. From seldom-used belongings to future-use treasures, you name it!
Yet, not all possessions find their ideal home within these humble structures. To maximise its year-round utility without hiccups, pay attention to what you store. To assist you in this endeavour, we’ve compiled a list of items best kept away from your shed.
Three Factors to Consider
First things first! When considering a garden storage shed, three essential factors come into play:
- Temperature: Extreme heat can adversely affect items like perishable foods and candles. This can cause them to melt or spoil.
- Moisture: Beware of moisture and condensation. They can foster mould and mildew, potentially harmful to health.
- Pests: Despite our best efforts, insects may find their way in. Thus, it’s wise to store anything that might attract bugs elsewhere.
These will help you make informed choices when deciding what to keep in your shed.
Things You Should Never Store in Your Shed
While a storage shed is excellent for most storage needs, there are things that don’t belong there. Here’s a list of items that are better stored elsewhere:
1. Perishable food
Steer clear of perishable foods like dairy products, meat, and eggs. The reason is simple: temperature fluctuations can create a breeding ground for spoilage. And more concerning, foodborne illnesses. Such items are best kept under controlled conditions, like in your home.
By doing so, you’ll ensure the safety of your food and protect it from spoilage. Moreover, you minimise the risk of consuming contaminated products. Remember, proper food storage not only preserves freshness but also safeguards your health. Instead, you may store non-perishable goods and tools and leave your edibles in a safer place.
2. Electronics
Electronic devices, including computers and televisions, should be stored indoors. And by this, we meant somewhere in your home and not in your shed. These sensitive gadgets are vulnerable to extreme temperatures and humidity. Thus making outdoor sheds out of the question.
When exposed to such conditions, electronic components can warp, overheat, or become damaged. This often leads to costly repairs or replacements, especially if overlooked. Moreover, excessive moisture can result in short circuits and malfunctions.
By keeping your electronics inside, you ensure a stable and controlled environment. What’s more, you prolong their lifespan and maintain optimal performance. So, whether it’s your office setup or entertainment centre, find a place for them at your home.
3. Valuables
Storing valuables in sheds is not advisable due to security and environmental concerns. If yours lacks security measures, this makes your shed more susceptible to theft.
Furthermore, environmental factors can harm your valuables. Temperature extremes and humidity in sheds can damage delicate or sensitive items. For instance, extreme heat can cause jewellery to tarnish. Meanwhile, documents deteriorate, and photographs fade.
To ensure the safety and longevity of your precious possessions, it’s best to store them inside your home.
4. Flammable materials
Storing flammable materials in your shed, particularly wood sheds, poses serious safety risks. Flammable substances like gasoline, propane, paint, and other chemicals can ignite easily. In the confined space of a shed, fires can spread rapidly. This can be endangering your property and safety.
Sheds typically lack the proper ventilation and fire prevention measures, to add. In case of an accidental leak, the concentration of flammable fumes can be hazardous.
To prevent potential fire hazards, store flammable materials in a designated area. Ideally, it would be somewhere with adequate ventilation and fire protection measures. Often in a separate, well-ventilated storage area outside of your shed. This ensures your safety and reduces the risk of dangerous accidents. Always prioritise safety when handling and storing flammable substances.
5. Delicate fabrics
Storing delicate fabrics, such as clothing and linens, can lead to significant damage. In some cases, garden storage sheds are not climate-controlled spaces. This means they are subject to temperature fluctuations and humidity changes. These conditions can result in mould, mildew, and even fabric deterioration.
Moisture is a common issue in sheds, and it can be particularly harmful to fabrics. Damp conditions can cause fabrics to become musty. This can also develop unsightly, potentially irreversible mould and mildew stains. Additionally, temperature extremes can lead to fabric weakening and fading, reducing their lifespan.
Choose a controlled indoor environment to preserve the fabrics’ quality and longevity. It should be a place where temperature and humidity can be managed. This will protect your clothing, linens, and other textiles from potential damage. Most importantly, this ensures they remain in good condition for longer.
Round-up
Knowing what to store and not to in your shed is key for both your safety and the longevity of your possessions. Avoid the items outlined above. Instead, prioritise secure indoor storage for valuable and sensitive items. Keep flammable substances in well-ventilated areas. Follow this guide to ensure a safer, more organised, and lasting storage space in your shed!
Explore Garden Buildings Direct for the best garden storage solutions. Consider adding shed door locks to your purchase for enhanced security. Up next on your reading list: How to Store Bicycles Safely in Bike Storage
