Advice · 4 min read · Updated 6 November 2026
What not to store in a garage: damp, cold and fire risks
Why garages are hard on stored items
Most garages are not insulated or heated. In winter, temperatures can drop close to freezing, and moisture from the ground, a wet car or a leaking roof raises humidity. Condensation forms on cold walls and on anything stored against them. Detached and prefabricated garages are often the worst affected. Rodents and insects also find their way in easily.
Items damaged by damp and cold
| Item | Risk | Better place |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs, documents, books | Mould, curling, mildew | Inside the house in sealed boxes |
| Electronics and old computers | Corrosion and condensation | Indoors, or recycle if unused |
| Mattresses, sofas, cushions | Mould, smells, pests | Indoors or donate |
| Clothing and bedding | Mould and moth damage | Vacuum bags indoors |
| Water-based paint | Ruined if frozen | Frost-free cupboard |
| Wooden furniture | Warping and mould | Indoors or donate |
| Food and pet food | Attracts rodents | Sealed tubs indoors |
Musical instruments, artwork, leather goods and vinyl records are also sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity, and can warp, crack or grow mould in a cold garage. If they are valuable or sentimental, keep them in the main house.
Items that are a fire risk
- Gas cylinders: suppliers generally advise storing them outdoors, upright and away from drains, rather than in a garage
- Petrol: the legal limit at a home without notifying the petroleum enforcement authority is 30 litres, in suitable containers, and less is better
- Lithium batteries: e-bikes, e-scooters and power tool batteries should be charged on a hard surface, with a smoke alarm nearby, and not left charging unattended or overnight
- Old chemicals and solvents: flammable or reactive, and best disposed of rather than stored
- Oily rags: can self-heat, so dry them flat outdoors or dispose of them in a sealed metal container
A garage full of clutter also gives a fire plenty to burn and can block the escape route through an integral garage door.
Things that are fine in a garage
- Garden tools, mowers and hoses
- Bikes, kept off the floor
- Plastic storage boxes of seasonal items
- Car care products in sealed containers
- Workbench tools, with a light oil to prevent rust
- Outdoor furniture and barbecues, covered
Reducing damp in the garage
Simple steps make a garage much kinder to stored items. Keep boxes off the floor on shelving and a few centimetres away from walls. Use plastic boxes with lids rather than cardboard. Ventilate on dry days, fix leaking gutters and roof panels, and consider a dehumidifier if you have power. Draught strips on the garage door keep out wind-driven rain and leaves.
A cheap thermometer and humidity gauge show how bad conditions get. Readings that stay high through autumn and winter are a sign that soft or paper-based items should not be kept there. A concrete floor sealer can also cut dust and some ground moisture in older garages.
Clearing out what should not be there
When decluttering, set aside anything that is hazardous, mouldy or damaged by damp. Mouldy soft furnishings and damp cardboard are usually best disposed of. Old paint, chemicals, batteries and gas bottles need separate handling rather than going in with general waste, and gas bottles generally go back to the supplier or a stockist.
Mouldy items should be bagged before they are carried through the house, to avoid spreading spores. Wear gloves and, for heavy mould, a suitable dust mask, and ventilate the garage well while you work. Clean shelves and walls where mouldy items were stored before putting anything back.
If items must stay in the garage
Sometimes there is simply nowhere else for things to go. A few simple measures help them survive the conditions.
- Use airtight plastic boxes with lids rather than cardboard
- Add moisture absorbers or silica gel to boxes of fabric or paper
- Wrap furniture in breathable covers, not plastic sheeting, which traps condensation
- Raise everything off the floor on pallets or shelving
- Store tools lightly oiled in closed toolboxes
- Check stored items every few months for damp and pests
Mice and rats are drawn to garages with bird seed, pet food, cardboard and soft furnishings. Store any food in metal or hard plastic tubs, block gaps under the door and around pipes, and clear out nesting material such as old cushions and bags of rags.
If the garage is integral, keep the internal fire door to the house clear and closed. It is there to stop fire and fumes spreading into the home.
Frequently asked questions
Can I store paint in the garage?
Solvent-based paints usually cope with cold, but water-based emulsions can be ruined if they freeze, and any paint stored for years tends to dry out. Keep tins on a low shelf with lids sealed, away from heat and children, and in a frost-free place if possible. Old paint you will not use can often go to community paint reuse schemes.
Is it safe to charge an e-bike in the garage?
It can be, if you follow the manufacturer's charger and instructions, charge on a hard non-flammable surface, keep the area clear of clutter and have a working smoke alarm nearby. Avoid charging overnight or while out, and do not use damaged batteries or unofficial chargers. A cluttered garage makes any fire harder to control.
Should I store a gas bottle in the garage?
Suppliers generally advise against it. Gas cylinders such as propane and butane are best kept outdoors, upright, in a well-ventilated spot away from drains and sources of ignition. If you no longer need a cylinder, return it to the supplier or a stockist rather than putting it in general waste.
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