Avoid placing these things in the basement at all costs for keep them safe.
Owning a house with a basement seems like a luxury to anyone who lacks adequate storage.
Aside from potentially creating a cluttered mess, blindly tossing items downstairs can also cause irreparable damage to them.
Credit:LAURA MOSS
From the risk of flooding and pests to the fluctuating temperature and humidity, basements can be quite precarious.
LAURA MOSS
1.
Perishable Food
The first item on the list is paramount, especially if youre squeamish about pests.
Credit:David A Land
In addition, food can spoil quicker in unregulated conditions.
In a similar vein, avoid storing vitamins, medicine, and supplements downstairs.
Otherwise, youre better off creating a freestanding pantry in the kitchen ormaximizing the spaceyou already have.
Credit: Jason Donnelly
Additionally, kitty litter can begin to clump due to excess moisture.
David A Land
3.
Its possible to store some clothing, such as off-season items (depending on the material) downstairs.
Instead, venture to declutter as much as possible,be smart with closet storage, or employunder-the-bed containers.
Metal toys can rust and plastic or wood can gather mildew stains on account of the excessive moisture.
Anything Made of Paper
The dampness in a basement can be the kiss of death for paper.
Try some of these ideas instead:
7.
Mementos
If its something that is irreplaceable to you, its best to leave it out of the basement.
In the event of a disaster, such as the basement flooding, these can be lost for good.
Put your mind to ease and store them safely elsewhere in the house.
This is exceptionally important if you have antique or heirloom pieces that need a temporary home.
Rugs, just like all fabrics, will be vulnerable to moisture damage.
Oscillating temperatures and humidity can easily corrode electronics, deeming them unusable in the future.
Batteries
Just like electronics, batteries can become eroded after being subjected to moisture for periods of time.
Its also wise to invest inan organizer thats designed specifically for batteriesthat also tests their life span.
You might want to rethink that, especially if you have a heating source down there as well.
How should you handle these items then?
Use ahigh shelf in the garageorshed to storepesticides, fertilizers, pool chemicals, and gas cans.
