Keep these items out of the shed to protect them from the elements .

If you have an outdoor shed , chances are you ’re using at least part of it for depot . But unless your shed is properly insulated ( which likely is n’t the case , unless it ’s a hangout billet or ashe shed ) , there are several things you absolutely should not stash away there . To avail you protect your belonging , we ’re share items you should never stash away in an out-of-door shed .

shed descend in all frame and size , and serve a variety of use . Depending on the climate where you endure , a non - insulated outdoor shed should be used for lay in select items only . The combination of drastic temperature , moisture , and potential plague puts many items at risk of becoming ruined . So next meter you’reorganizing your shed , use the following list as a source for thing not to store there .

open gardening shed with wheelbarrow

Credit: Peter Krumhardt

1. Paint

Like most things on this inclination , paint is highly tender to temperature change . utmost coldness and heat will create consistency changes within the rouge , rendering it unuseable . Keep can buoy of primers , soil , and spray paint out of an uninsulated shed and , instead , alwaysstore paintsin a cool , coloured area such as the cellar . Properly dispose of any paintyou no longer require or require so you do n’t have to occupy about discover a storage space for it .

2. Batteries

All variety of battery — from everyday family batteries to those attach to electronics or power dick — should be kept out of the shed . When exposed to oestrus or temperature change , a chemical reaction occurs which can expurgate a battery ’s life and make them inefficient . In other cases , the fluctuation in temperature and moisture can stimulate them to expand and , in rare luck explode . or else , aim tosafely storehouse batteriesinside the mansion where it ’s clime - controlled . You canstore power toolswith their batteries and chargers in the service department , basement , or wherever they ’ll be keep at a cooler temperature .

3. Electronics

Similarly to batteries , leaving electronics expose to temperature change in an outdoor shed can lead to dangerous issues . wet can eat the internal wiring and short tour gadget . In inordinately moth-eaten conditions , the liquidness inside an LCD or light-emitting diode screen can actually freeze and permanently damage the display screen door . Unless you ’ve deck out your she shed by insulating the infinite , it ’s good tostore electronicsinside the house only .

4. Propane

You might know that propane is suppose to be stored outdoors , and never inside the dwelling house . But since most sheds are detach from the theatre , it might seem like they ’re far enough forth and thus a good blank to store extra tanks . However , propane that is kept in an enclosed blank space ( like a shed ) can render a fire with any kind of leak or small flicker . No matter what , stick to storing propane tanks in an open and shaded area outside of any complex body part .

5. Spare Tires

If you have surplus tires floating around , you might think the shed is a good place to stack away them since they ’re out of your elbow room and out of unmediated sunlight . But , once again , unsteady condition promote damage and declension . inhuman temperatures can cause the natural rubber to freeze , while too many hot days can inflict ironic putrefaction . Moisture will also shorten the life-time of tyre , which is not something you want to risk as they ’re an investment for most hoi polloi . flirt it dependable and keep any extra tyre in either the basement ( away from heating system sources ) or in a climate - controlled storage unit .

6. Anything Made from Fabric

Clothing , cover , kip bags , upholstery , and the like should always be store indoors . This is because the moisture that can easily ooze into a shed when it rains or snows will eventually cause mould and mildew to grow on fabric — even if they ’re kept in shaping storage bins . to boot , insects such as moths may take up manse within the crimp of framework and eat away at it .

Some exceptions to this rule ? A shed might be the ideal place for youroutdoor furniture cushion and pillowsthat are plan to withstand the elements . Simply shake them out andclean themfrom time to time . If you specify to use your shed to hold gardening tools and desire to keep your gloves with the rest of the supplies , turn back them in a lidded plastic bin so they stay protected .

7. Furniture or Upholstered Items

Solid wood furniture and those wrapped in leather or textile upholstery should be go on out of the shed at all sentence . You already have sex that material is a no - go alfresco , but heat energy and humidness will also induce Sir Henry Wood to warp and leather to check . It ’s best to leave all furniture indoors and reserve the shed for salt away made - for - outdoor article of furniture only . Like their cushion and pillow counterparts , thoroughlyclean the furniture piecesto keep them lasting in unspoiled stipulation .

8. Food, Bird Seed, or Canned Goods

Food of any kind should be kept out of a shed . Curious critters will weasel their way into the shed if they suspect there ’s a snack look them — which mean it ’s not just human food you need to worry about . You should avoidstoring pet foodand bird seed in the shed to guard off undesirable Edgar Guest .

When it comes to storing food for your family , even seal food such as canned goods is n’t safe as the fluctuation of temperatures can cause the content to spoil . According to the USDA , you do n’t require to ingest any canned goods that have been expose to an environment that ’s over 100 or under 40 degree Fahrenheit . While on the subject , refrain from salt away wine in a shed for like reasons .

9. Books, Photos, or Paper Goods

Similar to linen , theme products easily keep moisture and appeal pests . Pages of Word can become stuck together over prison term and sure bugs , such as silverfish , love to eat them and the gum used in ski binding . Physical photos will eventually become damaged beyond repair due to gamey humidity , which is n’t idealistic as these are often irreplaceable . Not only do you have to worry about newspaper being destroyed , keeping documents in an outdoor space increases the chance of sensible entropy being expose . Your best wager is toorganize significant paperwork , photos , andbookssecurely indoors .

10. Musical Instruments

A shed poses a treble threat to melodic instruments , making them yet another detail you should never store there . As with article of furniture , high temperatures can contort those instruments made of wood and melt the glue used to go for them together . Moisture , on the other hand , can rust or rusting alloy instrumental role and bring on mould or mold within the fabric linings of storage cases . Even if you do n’t play an instrument often , dedicatea music nookinside the home , or find blank in an indoor storage cupboard .

11. Forgotten or Unused Items

Why hold on to anything you ’re no longer using ? Old toys , M tool , furniture , etc . , might discover novel life in a newfangled home base . Gather up everything you have n’t used ( or even touched ) in the past year or two and take it to yourlocal contribution center . After all , once it ’s all off of your helping hand , you might notice a new , good consumption for all that additional space .