The 18 Home Items You Should Avoid Storing In The Basement

Many people seek out a basement when looking for a home because of the extra space it provides. That extra square footage is often invaluable, whether a basement is finished and converted into more living space or simply used as storage. However, most basements aren't the ideal catch-all storage option that homeowners want them to be. About 60% of homes in the United States have moisture problems, which can lead to humidity and mold growth. Because of this, some items, especially those susceptible to moisture, like paper, fabric, and wood, shouldn't be stored in the basement.

The fluctuation in temperature and moisture can put stored items at risk, especially if they're stored for long periods of time. Basements are also at risk of flooding more than other areas of the house, which could be from heavy rain or plumbing issues. You can try the best ways to protect your basement from flooding, but any unexpected excess water can damage items stored there, which may make you reconsider what you keep down there. While some options like airtight storage exist, it's better to be safe than sorry. Even with proper ventilation and insulation, basements still aren't the best choice for these 18 items. They're best kept in closets, pantries, or other rooms in the main part of the house to ensure they're safe.

Kitchens can quickly become overstuffed and unorganized. However, you want to avoid keeping perishable food in a basement. These foods, such as meat or dairy products, must be refrigerated or frozen to prevent spoilage or decay. Keeping these in a basement without proper refrigeration will make the food go bad and attract pests like bugs and rodents. Avoid storing food with paper or plastic packaging, as well as most wines. Canned goods and containers with sealed lids can be stored in the basement, however.

Fabric can also be susceptible to damage from moisture as well as mold and mildew growth, especially if not stored properly. Any delicate or sentimental fabric items shouldn't be in the basement. A wedding dress, veil, or baby clothes should avoid the basement if you're trying to preserve them. Delicate animal-based fabrics like fur coats, leather, and suede shouldn't be kept down there to prevent deterioration. Beyond moisture, clothing moths, carpet beetles, and silverfish can cause damage and holes in clothes. Instead, keep them in sealed, airtight bins in a closet or under a bed.

Clothing isn't the only fabric that shouldn't be stored in the basement. Mold and mildew from excess moisture are still the reason, though. Comforters, duvets, and pillows that aren't currently being used can take in moisture, getting mildewy and retaining a musty smell. Whether these are off-season bedding or extra ones for the guest room, you want to avoid keeping them down in the basement. It's also recommended to keep sleeping bags and towels out of the basement. These items are best kept in a linen closet, the bedroom closet, or in a storage bench.

Don't allow the moisture in a basement to ruin your most special items. Paper mementos like photos, scrapbooks, letters, or cards can all be warped or ruined by moisture or water. Similarly, any mementos, heirlooms, or keepsakes like high school t-shirts, flags, medals, or jewelry can rust, discolor, or be otherwise ruined in a basement. Photos, letters, and cards are best kept in scrapbooks or photo boxes in the main part of the home. Display medals, flags, and other heirlooms in a shadow box. Jewelry should be kept in an airtight jewelry box or safe.

It's no secret that water and electronics don't mix, so it's best not to keep these items in the basement. Moisture can corrode the metal parts of the electronics, rendering them useless after some time in the basement. Your old DVD player, television, computer, or video game console should avoid the basement if you want to use them again. It's best to store them in a console table or closet. If it's not an electronic you're planning to use in the future or one you've replaced, take it to an electronics recycling center.

This may seem like a given. However, you also may not realize that everyday household items can be flammable or hazardous. Paint, primers, propane, and cleaning supplies are often kept in storage but can become an issue, particularly if they're near a heating source. Keep these items away from furnaces, water heaters, and dryers that can lead to these items catching fire. Combustible liquids and gases, like fuel for a lawn mower, can explode at high temperatures. These items are best kept in well-ventilated areas, an outdoor shed, or a garage.

Replaced an area rug in your living room? Trying a new style in the bedroom? Whatever the reason, don't store the old rug in the basement. Like other soft surfaces, rugs are susceptible to mold and mildew growth in a humid or moist basement. It can also create a warm environment that's inviting to rodents and pests, like carpet beetles. Instead, you should tightly roll up the rug and place it in plastic to protect it from moisture and pests. Store it in the back of a closet or simply sell it if you won't use it again.

It's already been said how moisture in a basement can affect paper, and that extends to books as well. Avid readers may gain an extensive collection of books, but a basement is no place for your overflow library. The moisture in a basement can warp the pages and spine, cause discoloration, and even make your books moldy. Books can also attract silverfish, which can feed on the starch in the spines. Instead, it's best to store them on bookshelves in the upper part of your home or consider savvy tips for storing your books without using a bookshelf.

Temperature and moisture can affect the potency of many vitamins, supplements, and medications. So, if you buy your vitamins and supplements in bulk or have a few months' worth of your medication, avoid storing it in the basement. Temperature fluctuations and humidity can make these less effective. Some can also attract pests that can wriggle their way into the bottles. Store these in a cool, dry place like a pantry shelf, dresser drawer in the bedroom, or a kitchen cabinet that isn't near the fridge, stove, or sink.