15 Surprising Things You Should Never Keep in a Garage

The closets are full. The utility room? Also full. Space is limited, so the garage seems like the next logical option, right? Wrong!

I always thought the garage was an excellent place for all that extra junk. But apparently, it’s one of the worst spots for a lot of it. In fact, quite a few of the things I’ve stashed out there, or seriously considered stashing, made this list of stuff you should never keep in the garage. Oops.

When it comes down to it, we tend to treat our garages like a second basement. Holiday decorations, old furniture, extra pantry items, pet food - you name it. But just because it fits in the garage doesn’t mean it belongs in the garage.

15 Things You Should Never Store in Your Garage

If your garage doubles as a catch-all storage unit, you might want to rethink what you're keeping out there. Whether it’s sweltering summers, freezing winters, or just high humidity, garages are one of the worst places to store many common household items.

Why Garages Aren’t Ideal for Storage

Garages typically lack insulation and climate control, leaving anything stored inside at the mercy of temperature swings and moisture. That combination creates a perfect storm for mold, mildew, rust, spoilage, and pest infestations. Rodents, bugs, and even spiders are more likely to invade, especially if food or soft items are present.

If your belongings matter to you — or to your wallet — storing them elsewhere or investing in climate-controlled storage could save you money and stress down the road.

What *Not* to Store in Your Garage

Here’s a list of 15 items that are better off kept elsewhere, along with the reasons why:

So, serious question... how many of those are in your garage right now?

If you're anything like me, you probably need to do a little reorganizing. The good news is, a clean-out now could save you a lot of money and frustration down the road. Think of it as a mini home-improvement project or a super late spring cleaning. One that might just protect your stuff and give you back some much-needed space.

Also See: Wisconsin Couple Finds Embalming Room in Their New Home

Now if only we could find room in the utility room... Maybe it's time for a garage sale.

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These Common Household Items Are Now Banned In Minnesota

A hot topic lately is PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as "forever chemicals" because they are difficult for humans to detoxify and have half-lives measured in years. These chemicals accumulate in the body over time and can cause significant health issues even at low exposure levels

PFAS are commonly found in the environment and the human body and have been linked to a range of health concerns including increased cholesterol levels, potential disruption of hormone systems, reduced immune function, increased risk of certain cancers, developmental issues in children, and reproductive problems, particularly in pregnant women.

On January 1, 2024, Minnesota prohibited PFAS in firefighting foam and food packaging. The state is taking an even more aggressive stance against the chemicals in 2025.

According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the first prohibitions of products containing intentionally added PFAS under Amara's Law (Minn. Stat. § 116.943) are now in effect in Minnesota, meaning you can no longer legally purchase these items.

If you're wondering if you already have products with intentionally added PFAS, you can take the following steps to be sure:

Check the label - Look for products that are labeled as PFAS-free.
Check for keywords - Look for words like "waterproof," "stain-repellent," or "dirt-repellant" on the tag.
Check for ingredients - Avoid products that contain ingredients with "perfluoro" or "fluoro" in their name.
Use a third-party verification service - Some organizations offer third-party verification of products that claim to be made without PFAS.

As of January 1, 2025, you can no longer purchase products with intentionally added PFAS in Minnesota. These products fall under the 11 categories below.

Gallery Credit: David Drew

Source: Never Store These 15 Things in Your Minnesota Garage

Filed Under: Minnesota

Categories: Lifestyle