1. Paint
Leftover color from the last time you redecorated won’t last long if subjected to high heat in summer (or falling temps in the winter). Plus, cans stored on cement floors will rust faster than those stored on a shelf. We are fortunate in this area as many of our local cities feature dates and places for paint drop offs which make disposing of paint virtually painless.

2. Propane
We barbecue year round and I hate seeing the spare propane tank sitting by the barbecue. So I make my husband store the extra canisters in the garage. Who knew this was number 2 on the list of don’t do’s. They must be stored where it’s well-ventilated or you risk igniting the fumes when you start your car. Don’t want to do that!

3. Canned Food
A stockpile of canned tomatoes, beans and more has a shorter shelf life in a room that gets hotter than 70 degrees (and when temps reach 95 degrees, the food will spoil quickly). With limited space in my kitchen, I store my extra canned goods in a wonderful set of  built in cabinets in our garage. They house everything from sets of china to pantry items. The other day my husband brought me a can of tomatoes that had no were near reached it’s expiration date but whatever was inside was eating it’s way out through the can and the label. Learned that lesson first hand!

4. Refrigerator
Yes, by definition, fridges control the temperature in your food’s environment. But as the heat rises, your fridge will need to work harder to keep your food cool—and you’ll feel the burn in your energy bill. Plus, a fridge won’t keep food cold enough when the surrounding temps drop below 60 degree, since it will run less when it gets chilly. Fortunately we use the outside fridge for ice cold liquid refreshment storage only…so it stays!

5. Open stacks of linens or paper goods
Mice and other pests love to make nests in bunches of fabric or paper (like that pile of cardboard boxes from your recent move). Store paper cups and plates in your pantry instead, place linens in plastic bins if you have to put them in the garage, and purge recyclables often. Not so hard to do around here with Recycle cans supplied by our local garbage collectors. Don’t forget to use them.

6. Electronics
DVD players, televisions and computers you’ve been meaning to donate or recycle could get damaged in extreme heat or cold. I might add I just found a box of no less than 12 old remote controls for the TV, VCR, et al! Routinely as with the paint drop off our supporting cities feature days to bring in old equipment for recycling.

So back to the job of garage purging with a new flurry of purpose! Last note…garages by definition are suppose to house cars, not what doesn’t fit in your home.

Traditional Garage And Shed by Beverly Interior Designers & Decorators Siemasko + Verbridge

Original article excerpted from Good Housekeeping.