Chumasande MatiwaneThe out of sight, out of mind isn’t always a good thing when it comes to home organising. While it may be tempting to store off-season items, cleaning supplies, and landscaping essentials in your garden shed to avoid cluttering your home, doing so can cause more problems than it solves. To keep your shed organised and your belongings protected, there are several items you should avoid storing in a garden shed.
Paint
If you’re storing paint for an upcoming project, keep it out of your garden shed. Household paint will dry out when it’s kept outside in the garden shed. The lid may look tight, but it isn’t as airtight as you think it is once opened. Keep it inside for future use or donate nearly full cans to a household thrift centre in your community.
Seeds
Many gardeners enjoy collecting seeds for future planting. Some purchase seeds in bulk for later use. However, storing these seeds in the garden shed can expose them to hungry pests, such as mice and rats. Seeds that are ready to be stored should be stored in a sealed container and remain in a controlled or steady temperature. The temperature in a shed fluctuates, builds up humidity, or freezes. Drastic changes in the environment will lead to rotten seeds.
Fertilisers and pesticides
Garden essentials containing synthetic chemicals, such as fertilisers or pesticides, have a shelf life and can lose their effectiveness when stored in a garden shed. Nothing spoils chemicals faster than fluctuations in temperature and humidity. It is recommended to store these products in a tight, proof container in a controlled environment.
Food
Foods for your pets should never be stored in any kind of garden shed or garage, especially if they’re packaged in cardboard boxes or plastic bags. The best exception when you have a bulk of pet food would be to freeze it. Since fridges are completely sealed, the chance of a rodent breach is lower.
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