Phoenix Garage Organization Do’s and Don’ts

While it is easy to think of the garage as a catch-all storage space, it is important to keep the space from becoming cluttered. If you are like most homeowners, most of the odds and ends stored in the garage are items you do not want to keep in your everyday living space. However, some of these items should not spend much time in the garage, especially in the Arizona heat. Before storing anything in your garage, consider these three rules for appropriate garage storage:

• Do not store anything that can be damaged by extreme or fluctuating temperatures. Arizona garages can range from pleasantly cool to sweltering in a matter of hours.
• Keep belongings that are vulnerable to humidity and moisture inside your temperature-controlled home.
• Avoid storing hazardous materials in the garage.

Here are some of the specific types of items to keep out of the garage.

Paint

Never store leftover paint in the garage. When stored in extreme temperatures, paint will change in consistency and become unusable. If the paint is stored for a long period of time, it will turn into hazardous waste and require special disposal. In the heat, common latex-based house paint will dry and eventually form a solid, rubbery mass. In the cold, paint will transform into liquid resembling curdled milk.  In addition, paint cans leave rust on your garage floor when left in one place for long periods of time, ruining the surface. For best results, store paint in a low-moisture, climate-controlled room and keep it out of reach of children and pets.

Propane Tanks

When stored in a garage or other enclosed space where the temperatures can get high, the pressure relief valve on the propane tank may open, causing propane to escape and create an immediate fire hazard.

Food

While shopping in bulk is cost-effective, the garage is a poor place to store your edibles. Exposure to heat and humidity can cause food to spoil, while the presence of food can attract rodents and other pests. Canned food suffers from a diminished shelf life when surrounding temperatures are hotter than 70 degrees, and when the temperature reaches 95 degrees, the food spoils quickly. While the canned goods may survive a Phoenix winter, even the hardiest can would have a tough time lasting past March or April. An indoor pantry is the best storage option for food.

Cardboard Boxes

While may be tempting to leave some of those cardboard boxes from your move packed and stored in the garage, the risks of doing so outweigh the benefits. Not only are cardboard boxes and other paper goods especially appealing to rodents, but they make excellent hiding spots for spiders and scorpions as well. There are few surprises worse than a Black Widow nest hidden away among your Christmas decorations. Instead of cardboard boxes, use waterproof, pest-proof plastic storage bins and containers.

Fragile Items

The climate of the garage makes it inhospitable for paintings, clothing, important documents, photographs, wooden furniture, and more. Use an acid-free box to store delicate clothing, such as old wedding dresses, graduation gowns or a baby’s first outfit, in a chest indoors. Important documents and photographs are kept safest when stored in a fireproof box within the home. Wood can be easily damaged by the expansion and contraction caused by fluctuating temperatures, so keep wooden furniture indoors or in a temperature-controlled storage unit.

Take stock of your garage inventory often to keep the room organized. Donate or dispose of unneeded items, and always take care to safely store delicate or hazardous items. If you find yourself running out of ways to organize your Phoenix garage, a custom garage storage system might be right for you. Whether you need more storage space or you desire a full-blown man cave, our garage organization experts will work with you to transform your garage into a functional and stylish space that reflects your unique lifestyle. Contact Arizona Garage & Closet Design for a complimentary in-home garage design estimate. 

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