15 Things You Should Never Store in a Minnesota Garage

The closets are overflowing. The basement? Also full. The utility room? Don't even get me started. And if you’re like me, the garage slowly turns into the “we’ll deal with it later” zone.

Seems like the perfect solution, right? Just toss it in the garage and call it a day.

Yeah… not so fast.

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I used to think the garage was fair game for pretty much anything. Extra pantry items, random bins, pet food, old furniture… if it didn’t fit in the house, out to the garage it went.

But it turns out, our Minnesota garages are where some of these things go to die - literally. With those freezing winters, humid summers, and wild temperature swings, it's actually one of the worst places to store a lot of that stuff. Ugh.

And let’s just say… I’ve definitely been guilty of storing more than a few things on this list. Oops. What about you?

15 Things You Should Never Store in Your Garage

If your garage doubles as a catch-all storage unit, you might want to rethink what you're keeping out there. Whether it’s sweltering summers, freezing winters, or just high humidity, garages are one of the worst places to store many common household items.

Why Garages Aren’t Ideal for Storage

Garages typically lack insulation and climate control, leaving anything stored inside at the mercy of temperature swings and moisture. That combination creates a perfect storm for mold, mildew, rust, spoilage, and pest infestations. Rodents, bugs, and even spiders are more likely to invade, especially if food or soft items are present.

If your belongings matter to you — or to your wallet — storing them elsewhere or investing in climate-controlled storage could save you money and stress down the road.

What *Not* to Store in Your Garage

Here’s a list of 15 items that are better off kept elsewhere, along with the reasons why:

So… be honest. How many of those are sitting in your garage right now?

If you felt this list to your core, this is your sign to do a little clean-out. And hey, consider it a win, a quick garage purge now could save you money, frustration, and maybe even a few “why did I put that out here?” moments later.

BUT, before you go load up your car to donate your stuff at Savers or Goodwill, check the list of things they WON'T accept. You may be heading to the dump instead.

Also See: Surprising Donations Minnesota Savers Will Refuse to Take

Plus, let’s be real… getting your garage back, that’s a solid life upgrade.