Careful How You Store These Common Items
Some things just aren’t meant to be tossed in a drawer, shoved in a closet, or left to gather dust in the garage. And unfortunately storing stuff the wrong way can lead to it getting totally ruined further down the line. Here are 35 things you might be storing badly, and what you should do instead.
Potatoes in the Fridge
You might be tossing your potatoes in the fridge thinking they’ll be fine, but they won’t be. Cold temperatures mess with their starches, making them gritty and adjusting the taste. Avoid the fridge and store them in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated spot, like a pantry.
Nonstick Pans Without Protection
Are you stacking your nonstick pans without any protection? That’s a surefire way of getting scratched-up surfaces. And once that nonstick coating gets damaged, it doesn’t work like it used to and worse, it might not be safe, either. Try storing them with a paper towel between each one.
Spices in Anywhere Hot
If your spices are above the stove or near a sunny window, they’re going to get ruined. Heat, light, and humidity make them go stale. Move them to a cabinet or drawer away from heat sources, but if they’ve already been exposed you might as well throw them away.
Batteries With Metal Things
Maybe you’re accustomed to throwing batteries in the junk drawer without paying attention to what’s already in there. Well, that’s a recipe for disaster. When batteries touch keys or coins, they can short out… so always keep them in a plastic storage box instead,
Coffee Beans in the Fridge or Freezer
So many people do this never knowing they’ve got the wrong idea. The moisture in the fridge or freezer can actually ruin your beans and kill the flavor. Instead, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark cabinet.
Important Documents in a Random Drawer
Never, ever stuff your important documents in a drawer. There could be a flood or a fire, and then suddenly you have none of some of the most important things you need for navigating through life. Use a fireproof safe or at least a waterproof file box. Oh, and make sure you scan your documents in and archive them digitally, as well.
Bread in the Fridge
People put bread in the fridge thinking the machine will keep it fresh, but it actually makes it go stale faster. The cold temperature dries it out. Leave it in a breadbox or a cool, dry spot on the counter.
Towels in the Bathroom
This is a really surprising one. You shouldn’t actually store towels in the bathroom if you want to keep them nice! That’s the most humid room in the house, so they can easily get musty and gross. Instead, store clean (and really make sure they’re clean) towels in a basket outside the bathroom.
Nail Polish in the Bathroom
Here’s another thing that shouldn’t go in the bathroom. That humidity will ruin your favorite nail polishes. Instead, store your bottles of nail polish upright in a cool, dry drawer or container, away from light. And always make sure the caps are on tight.
Paint Cans in the Garage
Leaving half-used paint cans in the garage? That’s a recipe for clumpy and eventually unusable paint - extreme heat or cold ruins it. Bring those cans indoors to a closet or utility room where the temperature stays fairly steady.
Cheese in Plastic
Are you keeping your cheese in a plastic baggie? That just traps moisture and encourages mold. Cheeses need to breathe a little - wrap them in wax paper or parchment first, then loosely in some foil. Cheese is expensive these days so you don’t want to ruin it!
Leather Shoes in Plastic Bins
If you own a pair of leather shoes, you need to be careful with them. Throwing leather shoes in a pile or storing them in plastic bins can ruin them fast. Leather needs airflow or it can dry out or mold, so store them in breathable fabric bags or on open shelves.
Photos in an Attic or Basement
You can’t replace old photos, so you need to be very careful about how you store them. If your old photos are sitting in a shoebox in the attic or basement, then humidity and heat will fade and warp them over time. Why not digitize the whole lot of them before putting them in a photo album?
Wine in the Sun
Storing wine upright in a sunny kitchen? It might look nice when the sun hits it, but heat and UV rays will age it way too fast. Instead, you should lay corked bottles on their side in a cool, dark place. If you’ve got a basement, that’s ideal.
Makeup in the Bathroom
Are you leaving your makeup bag on the bathroom counter? That’s a bad idea. The humidity in the room breaks down the makeup, especially powders and foundation. Store makeup in a drawer or vanity outside the bathroom if you can, and toss anything past its expiration date - old mascara is a breeding ground for bacteria and some people learn that the hard way.
Power Tools in a Damp Area
If your power tools live in a damp shed or garage, rust and corrosion are just waiting to happen. Tools last way longer if you store them in a dry area, ideally in their cases or on a wall rack. The last thing you want is to pick up a power tool and find it doesn’t work.
Firewood at the Side of the House
Stacking firewood right against the side of the house might be convenient, but it’s also heaven for bugs. Termites, ants, and spiders love it. Keep it at least 20 feet from your home and elevate it off the ground. The last thing you want is an infestation.
Jewelry in a Drawer
Tossing all your jewelry in one drawer leads to tangled chains, scratched stones, and lost earrings. Use a jewelry box or hanging organizer to keep everything separated, and make sure to store silver pieces in anti-tarnish bags.
Canned Goods in the Garage
It’s tempting to store canned goods in the garage, but big temperature swings can cause rust. Instead, keep them in a cool, dry pantry or cabinet. And check dates once in a while - yes, even canned food can go bad eventually.
Toothbrushes Near the Toilet
This one’s just gross. If you’re leaving your toothbrush out on the bathroom counter right next to the toilet, that’s asking for airborne bacteria. Yes, that kind of bacteria. Always store your brush upright in a holder, well away from the toilet.
Linens in Plastic Bins
Storing sheets and pillowcases in plastic bins might seem smart and organized, but like the cheese, they need to breathe. Plastic traps moisture and creates musty smells. Opt for fabric bins or open shelving instead.
Electronics in the Garage
Got old phones, cords, or cameras in a garage? Not great. Electronics don’t like extreme temperatures or humidity - it can fry the internal parts or make screens crack. Keep them in a dry, cool place like a closet in the house.
Flammable Liquids Near Heaters
Paint thinner, gasoline, or lighter fluid stored next to your heater? Don’t even think about it. These need to be kept in a well-ventilated spot, away from heat sources and, crucially, well out of reach of kids.
Pillows in Plastic Bags
Shoving extra pillows into a plastic bag flattens them fast and sometimes makes them smell of plastic. They need space to stay fluffy. Store them in breathable cotton bags instead, and fluff them up when they come out.
Condiments in the Pantry
People tend to keep their ketchup and mustard in the pantry, but actually it doesn’t belong there. Check the labels – they probably tell you upfront they need to go in the fridge. Leaving them out can shorten their shelf life or change the taste.
Light Bulbs in a Drawer
Keeping a light bulb in a drawer is just asking for trouble. The glass is fragile and the threads can get damaged. Keep them in their original packaging or a storage box instead. And make sure you store them in a dry spot as well - moisture can cause corrosion.
Baking Supplies in Their Original Packaging
Flour, sugar, and other dry goods left in their paper bags are open invitations for bugs to come and make a home in them, which is just gross. Transfer them into airtight containers as soon as you bring them home.
Cleaning Supplies Next to Each Other
Are you mixing all your cleaning products together under the kitchen sink? Don’t. Some chemicals shouldn't be stored near each other (like bleach and ammonia). Keep them upright, tightly sealed, and separate, ideally in a bin with dividers.
Garden Seeds in the Heat
Leaving leftover seeds outside or in a hot shed will ruin them. You should store seeds in a cool, dry container indoors - like a mason jar or sealed bag in a drawer. If you want, you can even add a silica gel pack to control the moisture.
Hats in a Stack
Stacking hats on top of each other flattens the brims and ruins the shape. If you’ve got nice hats, hang them on hooks or put them on shelves. You’d think this one would be common sense really, but so many people accidentally ruin their hats.
Perfume in a Hot Place
Are you keeping your perfume in direct sunlight or on a warm bathroom shelf? That’ll mess with the fragrance over time. Store bottles in a drawer or dark cabinet, away from heat. And keep the caps on tight.
Board Games on Top of Each Other
It’s tempting to store board games in a stack, but you really shouldn’t. With pressure on them, the boxes will warp and tear, and that’s especially bad if you were using them as display pieces.
Holiday Decorations in Boxes
Are you tossing holiday lights and ornaments casually into cardboard boxes after taking them down? That’s a good way of getting broken bulbs and tangled messes of lights. Use plastic bins with labels, and wrap lights around pieces of cardboard so they don’t get tangled.
Sunscreen in Hot Areas
Don’t leave your sunscreen in the car or out by the pool. Heat and sunlight break it down, making it way less effective. Store it indoors, preferably in a cool, dark drawer. And, of course, always make sure it hasn’t expired before you use it.
Charcoal in a Humid Garage
Don’t be disappointed the next time you go to light the grill. Charcoal briquettes left open in a humid garage can absorb moisture and become useless, so always keep them in a tightly sealed container.
