Tips for storing stuff in garage?

[AmyByTheTrain]

Any recommendations for good containers to use to store things in our garage that will keep out water, creepy crawlies and other critters?

Any other tips for how best to store stuff in your garage?

Basically, we have a lot of stuff still sitting in cardboard boxes in our house from previous moves that we don't use but aren't yet willing to part with, and we want to free up space in our house, so... we plan to repack things into better containers and move them into the garage.

But I have some relatives who once did something similar and everything ended up damp, mouldy and ruined, so I'm trying to figure out how to avoid that. The stuff going into storage is everything from old clothes to old electronics to old paperwork and other miscellaneous junk.

Me too, watching with interest. Garage is ancient so need something damp proof

I can't recommend the boxes I use cos I'm in NZ. However to avoid damp I filled old socks with new cat litter and tied the top. I put on in each plastic box of stuff to stop things going damp. Seems to have worked.

big plastic translucent storage crates with close fitting lids (not two-piece hinged or flip lids)

My only suggestion is to label every box top and at least two sides (short and long). It means you don't lose stuff and end up buying again, thus increasing the clutter!

You can see inside the translucent crates.

as PJ says - those translucent plastic crates, nothing else will keep out damp and mice.

will cost you a bit so you really need to cut out the middleman and declutter. You say 'previous moves' - listen....

do you really need to keep the stuff?

We did something similar when we moved in to our house 6 years ago, we are moving again soon and have just had a proper sort out - out of all the stuff in the garage the only things we have used in 6 years are the bbq and the lawn mower.

We're doing the same with paperwork that we need to archive and clothes. Try going to marine suppliers (there's one in Southampton for example) that sell waterproof boxes cheaper than retail and v v suited to the purpose.

Also avoid putting damp stuff in your garage and when you store put stuff in the box to get any residual damp out e.g. Sock of cat litter as previous poster suggested

when storing clothes, bedding etc, put a moth-killing sachet in each (not just a repellent)

Moth killers containing Transfluthrin give off a faint vapour that kills adults, larvae and eggs, and lasts several months.

B&Q recently had a set of Really Useful Boxes for £20. I've heard that some stores still have stock , it may be worth phoning around locally.
m.hotukdeals.com/deals/really-useful-boxes-5-piece-set-20-00-b-q-from-saturday-1987318?mforwarded=true

Ebay it all. Once in watertight storage in your garage, you will never again get the stuff out and use it.

I heard of someone whose garage is full of boxes labelled "stuff for our kids to throw away after we die."

PigletJohn

Unfortunately, I think I also belong on the thread about living with a hoarder. Not everyone in the house is on board with getting rid of the stuff, so it's off to the garage with it.

Thanks for the help. I'm dithering between the properly watertight boxes, as MissMysticFalls suggests, and more traditional translucent boxes with cat litter and moth sachets. I think I'll need to have a better look at each over the next few days--maybe the watertight ones for things I think we might actually use again someday and the normal ones for the rest.

nope, still don't get it - why are you keeping stuff you will never use again and that isn't decorative?

digital cameras are your friend. Photograph it all and get rid of it, perhaps to someone who could use it. Put the photos on a CD. If you EVER look at the CD again the drinks are on me.

In that case tell the hoarder (if it isn't you!) they have to buy the storage solution or it's going in cardboard boxes in the garage - after a few months the slugs/moths/mice/mould will have dealt with it and you can throw it away - problem solved! I resent paying to store stuff (put it down as an expense!) but we don't have a boarded loft and I've got boxes of paperwork I have to keep for tax purposes.

Have a look on Houzz.co.uk for articles/ideabooks about clutter and psychology. Some v useful and interesting stuff on there that might help with letting some stuff go. Plus it helps to give yourself an annual review- sometimes it's just the wrong time. We hung onto lots of baby clothes and toys and photos because it was too soon but recently went through it and the emotional attachment had worn off for a lot of stuff.

Mind you, I binned and then rescued lots of letters from my sister the other week and they were so much fun to read when I was ill in bed recently. I'm v glad I kept them.