Avoid placing these things in the basement at all costs so as to keep them safe .
Owning a family with a cellar seems like a luxury to anyone who lack adequate storage . While it ’s true it can provide much - take space for the things you do n’t use every daylight ( such as traveling bag or specialty serveware ) , it should n’t be used as a dumping reason for anything and everything . Aside from potentially create a littered mess , blindly throw away items downstairs can also cause irreparable terms to them .
From the risk of flooding and pests to the waver temperature and humidity , cellar can be quite precarious . Here ’s a list of thing you should neverstore in the basement(with alternate storage estimation ) so you could protect your material , your infinite , and your saneness .
Credit:LAURA MOSS
LAURA MOSS
1. Perishable Food
The first item on the list is predominate , particularly if you ’re squeamish about pests . Insects or , perhaps bad , rodent can smack food and make their agency into flimsy plastic or report promotion . In addition , food for thought can blow faster in unregulated condition . In a similar mineral vein , avoid storing vitamin , practice of medicine , and supplements downstairs . And , as you may experience , wine should be storedat certain temperature and humidness levels , so a basement varies too much to confidently keep bottles there until you ’re quick to open them .
Now , some nutrient might be OK to hive away in the cellar so long as it ’s airtight , such as if you ’re canning vegetables or have trade good stored in sealed , lidded containers . Otherwise , you ’re full off create a freestanding pantry in the kitchen ormaximizing the spaceyou already have .
2. Pet Supplies
Similarly to human food , blackguard , African tea , or any other eccentric of favorite food should not be stored in the cellar as pests can take up home inside the bundle . Additionally , kitty bedding material can start to clump due to excess moisture .
Instead , aim to store food and litter in a temperature - controlled area such as the kitchen , an upstair wash room , or even a mudroom .
David A Land
Credit:David A Land
3. Fragile Fabrics
Any bathetic items such as baby dress , stuffed animals , or wedding gowns , or pieces made of fur , leather , and suede cloth should not be kept in the basement as they ’re highly susceptible to mold and mildew . It ’s potential to store some clothing , such as off - season items ( depending on the material ) downstairs . They should be seal in BIN , properly labeled , and placed on shelves at least a few feet from the base . This is to keep them being damaged if flooding does come and from being exposed to moth and dust speck .
In world , your best bet is to steer clear of keeping any fabrics , include casual clothing , in the cellar specially if it ’s unfinished . alternatively , endeavor to declutter as much as potential , be smart with cupboard storage , or employunder - the - layer containers .
4. Bedding
In keeping with the cloth theme , any and all extraneous bedding should n’t be put below for similar reasons as clothing . Pillows , blankets , sheets , and even slumber bags left exposed to raised moisture levels will most likely get mildewy . Plus , if some of these are the linen being used for periodic guests , you would n’t need them sleeping on something that smells like a cellar , would you ?
Exactly , and so , just like you would for vesture , center on decluttering what you do n’t call for and then efficientlyorganize the linen closetupstairs orutilize a storage benchfor extra bedding . If you have an extra mattress , pick up how and where to decent stack away it , even if it might mean seat in a climate - curb storage unit .
5. Toys
Even if they ’re not sentimental or made of framework , avoid storing toys in a basement that is subject to changing temperatures . metallic element toys can eat and plastic or wood can gather mildew stains on accounting of the extravagant moisture .
At the peril of sounding like a broken disc , piece of work onparing downthe toys your small fry no longer plays with to cut down on the motivation for redundant memory space . If you ’re saving some for the younger ones or using a plaything - trade method , bin some up and store them on shelves in a rumpus room or a bonus room upstairs .
6. Anything Made of Paper
The dampness in a basement can be the kiss of demise for paper . Not only will wallpaper draw cast and mold , it ’ll become discolored ( usually yellowed ) and illegible over time . So , it ’s extremely recommended to keep paperwork , photographs , books , magazine publisher , newspapers , and lax artwork ( whether it ’s professional or from your crafty tiddler ) out of the basement altogether . Cardboard boxes are a no - go as well as they will degenerate and can even become a snack for unwanted cuss .
attempt some of these mind instead :
7. Mementos
If it ’s something that is irreplaceable to you , it ’s best to leave it out of the basement . Mementos can comprehend high school triiodothyronine - shirts , letter or menu , photos , palm , memorabilia , family heirloom , and so much more . In the event of a disaster , such as the basement implosion therapy , these can be lost for good .
Put your judgment to ease and store them safely elsewhere in the house . utilize pretty containers with label to concur your items and lay them on a mellow ledge in a closet so that they ’re out of the way . you’re able to also get creative and display some souvenir , such as by adding them toa shadow box .
8. Furniture and Home Decor
Anything made of woodwind can easily warp or crack in a high - humidity cellar so abstain from leaving surplus article of furniture down there . This is exceptionally important if you have age-old or heirloom piece that need a temporary home . carpet , just like all textile , will be vulnerable to moisture damage . As tempting as it may be to toss an special one in the cellar , it ’s in all likelihood not the best idea in the long run .
Rather , roll it up , lay in it in a plastic dish , and keep it upright in another area such as a spare bedroom wardrobe . Find a spot upstairs todisplay vintage article of furniture or decor , make economic consumption of a depot unit , or ask a relation to entertain it for you if it ’s only a short - term solvent
9. Firewood
High levels of moisture can actually waste and spoil the wood , which is a shame as it can be costly depending on your area and the time of year .
add up up with otherfirewood storage ideassuch as making space for it in the bread and butter room or outside in the shed .
10. Electronics
Even if you have n’t used the DVD player in long time - and call back you might take out it out again someday - there ’s no point in putting it in the basement . Oscillating temperatures and humidity can easily corrode electronics , deem them unusable in the time to come .
alternatively , make room in a television receiver console , coffee table , or home agency closet andorganize the electronicsthat you still reach for from clip to time . And for anything you ’ll never use again because they ’re broken or obsolete , discover a local electronics recycling center that will take them off your hands .
11. Batteries
Just like electronics , electric battery can become eroded after being subject to moisture for periods of time . They can release harmful gas if scupper to it for too long and can even explode if the conditions become too red-hot . So , whether you have backup electric battery or they ’re currently in electronics , it ’s a good approximation to keep them out of the cellar entirely .
You cansafely store batteriesin other expanse of the house as long as it ’s kept at a cool , dry temperature . It ’s also wise to gift inan organizer that ’s design specifically for batteriesthat also quiz their lifetime bridge .
12. Flammable or Hazardous Chemicals
It ’s all too mutual to leave half - empty cans of primer or volume cleaning supply in the basement for whenever you take them next . You might want to rethink that , especially if you have a heating source down there as well . Anything that ’s inflammable , from paint to propane , should be kept far forth from a water heater , furnace , or even the dryer if yourbasement double over as a laundry elbow room . Much like batteries , chemicals can leak and liberate hazardous fumes if they ’re not keep in a well - ventilated area and combustible liquids or gun may irrupt if the container receive too hot .
How should you handle these items then ? While you could technicallystore paintin the basement , do it properly and make certain it ’s in an open space off from any heat . you may do the same with cleaning Cartesian product , particularly if your basement maintains a more low - temperature and humidity stratum year - round . However , you might need to rather consider supercede commercial-grade cleanser withnon - toxic productsor stead what you have in an organized cleaning closet up the stairs . Use ahigh ledge in the garageorshed to storepesticides , fertilizers , pool chemical , and gas cans .
Credit: Jason Donnelly
