Sheds are often used as a convenient hold-all for anything and everything. They are great for storing lawn and garden tools and equipment. They are a poor choice for many other items. Most of them are not insulated or heated. Many have insect and rodent problems.
Many people don’t consider temperature fluctuations and moisture damage when storing things in a shed. Extreme temperatures shorten the life of some items. Moisture attracts pests and promotes mold growth.
Food
According to the USDA, canned foods that have been stored in temperatures below 40 degrees F. or over 100 degrees F. are not safe to eat. Uninsulated and unheated sheds often reach both temperatures. Wine also reacts poorly to temperature fluctuations. Metal cans corrode over time and glass jars and bottles can break when frozen.
Dry goods like rice and pasta attract rodents and insects. No food should be stored in sheds–including pet food and bird food.
Fabric
Any type of fabric will absorb moisture. This includes clothing, upholstered furniture, bedding, sleeping bags, etc. Mold spores are everywhere and will feed on organic matter. Insect and moth infestations ruin fabric and rodents chew them and nest in them.
Propane and Gas
Fumes from leaking propane and gas containers are a fire hazard. A spark when the shed door is opened can start a fire or cause an explosion. Store propane outside–not in sheds, garages, or basements.
Papers, Documents, and Books
Most paper products absorb and retain moisture. Pages and pictures stick together and tear when separated. Mold grows on them. Silverfish and roaches chew on them–especially the glue used for bookbinding. Sheds are more vulnerable to theft. Important documents and pictures can be stolen or ruined easier in a shed than in the house.
Paint and Paint Thinner
Paint is sensitive to extreme temperature fluctuations. It may separate and become inconsistent. It is often unusable. Paint cans eventually rust. In addition suffering from the same problems, the accelerant in spray paint cans can dissipate–making them worthless.
Paint thinner usually won’t freeze but extreme heat causes expansion and may force fumes out of poorly sealed containers. Paint thinner causes health problems if inhaled. It is also very flammable.
Electronics and Batteries
Electronic devices are sensitive to temperature and moisture. Internal wiring and connections can corrode and rust. LCD and LED screens can freeze in extreme cold. Rodents gnaw on anything–including electrical cords. Repairing damaged electronics is time-consuming and costly. They are probably outdated anyway.
Long exposure to heat and/or temperature fluctuations shortens battery lifespans. Moisture combined with constant temperature changes can cause swelling–making them useless. All types of batteries–including power tool and equipment batteries–react the same way.
Cardboard Boxes
Storing things in cardboard boxes does not protect them. Cardboard absorbs moisture and provides a food source for mold. It does not prevent rodents and insects from getting at the contents. Shed leaks and/or floods soak through cardboard boxes and damage anything they hold.
Musical Instruments
All musical instruments can be damaged when stored in uninsulated and unheated sheds. Metal corrodes and rusts. Mold grows on the fabric in instrument cases. Leather can dry out and become brittle–or grow mold. Wood can crack and warp. Repairs can be expensive and you may never recover the original sound quality.
