Garage Storage Discussion

[mommy_debella]

I am moving this weekend and FINALLY am going to have a garage.

What do i need to know about storing some of my stuff out there. I live in OK so it gets pretty hot in the summer and cold in the winter. I am also worried about ants... how can I keep them off my shelves? I would rather not have to put everything into rubbermaid boxes... Im OCD and love my stockpile all neatly faced like a store I know its silly!

Thank you for any help that you guys can give me.

[Cynthiabutterfly]

I'm in TX, so we get the humid intense heat, but not the freezing cold.

Things that go into my inside pantry:

Dressing/mayo

frosting

Or anything that has oil or fats that could go bad or melt, like nuts, chocolate (like brownie mixes with chocolate chunks too)

It doesn't get too hot for white sugar, but brown sugar (we use it alot) stays in the inside pantry.

Any milk-based drinks (like ensure).

Anything that says "refrigerate after opening".

And when I rotate the stockpile, anything that needs to be used because it the exp date is nearing, goes into the inside pantry.

But I like to have my stockpile accessible too! Mine is OCD organized, but that means that DH doesn't have to make a mess to find something- it's facing forward, and organized by 'aisle' like in the store. Paper on one shelf, cleaning on another, cereal, then cans, baking, etc.

[mommy_debella]

ohhh I so would have not thought about frosting melting! thank you

[~~Who,Me?~~]

To the best of what is reasonable, I would try to keep non food items like paper products and HBA in garage, and keep everything else indoors. I don't have any of my stockpile in the garage, all in the house/basement.

Items in my stockpile that I would feel comfortable keeping in garage in high heat--
diapers
paper towels
tissues
napkins
paper plates
pads/tampons
toothbrushes
batteries
household cleaners (as long as not in aerosol can)
deodorant
ziploc, etc.
foil/plastic wrap
kids' clothing that I buy a year ahead of time (on clearance)
hba such as olay disposable facial thingys, some makeup like powder eyeshadow
mouthwash
powdered drink mix
canned goods like spaghettios (we go through these very quickly though)


If I took all of those things out of my stockpile, it would create a significant amount of space.

Good luck and keep us posted with what works.

[buddysmom]

... Im OCD and love my stockpile all neatly faced like a store I know its silly!

Silly??? Is there any other way????
Congrats on the garage.
I'm near Philadelphia - hot summers & cold winters -
I keep my canned goods in the garage - condiments, But I dont store these things along the outside walls of the garage. It gets too hot/cold there. Paper goods, cans of coffee, are Ok along outside walls. HTH

[loveagoodbuy]

If you ever have the chance for an extra fridge, I highly recommend putting one in the garage. I have ours there and it is great for extra drinks in the summer, bags of ice, extra popsicles, etc. Also great around the holidays when you've got more food than the norm. Mine garage is right off the kitchen, so super convenient, too.

[lt34102]

It's been miserable in Florida right now. Soooooo HOT!!! I've been hitting the cereal sales pretty heavily this month (Publix/Kellogg $5.00 rebate) and I ran out of room in the pantry. I came across some unused "Space Bags" in my closet...you know...the suck the air out kind? I was able to get about 4 boxes in each bag and I felt confident sticking them out in the garage, even though Florida is "Insect Central". I'm considering opening each bag up and putting a couple of Bay leaves in each one as I've read it's a natural bug repellent.

I've got paper/plastic, cleaning supplies, canned goods and my freezer out there.