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Basements can be incredibly useful for extra storage. Holiday decorations, spare furniture, old clothes, and boxes of things you rarely use can all find a home downstairs.
But a basement isn’t the right place for everything. Moisture, humidity, temperature changes, pests, and the possibility of flooding can damage items before you realize there’s a problem. Something that seems perfectly safe on a basement shelf can come upstairs months later smelling musty, warped, rusty, or covered in mold.
If you’re deciding what belongs downstairs and what should stay elsewhere, these are 14 things worth keeping out of the basement.
Important Documents
It might seem convenient to keep old paperwork downstairs, especially documents you don’t use often. Unfortunately, paper and basement humidity don’t mix well. Moisture can warp pages, encourage mold growth, and attract insects.
Keep birth certificates, passports, legal documents, tax records, and other irreplaceable paperwork in a dry area of the house. A fireproof safe or safety deposit box is an even better choice for documents you can’t easily replace.
Related: 16 Items Professional Organizers Would Purge from Your Basement
Electronics
Old gaming consoles, DVD players, computers, and other electronics can sit untouched for years in a basement. The problem is that damp air can slowly damage their internal components. Temperature changes can also contribute to condensation and corrosion.
If you plan to keep an electronic device for future use, store it somewhere dry with a fairly steady temperature. Give it a proper dusting and use its original packaging or a protective container if you still have it.
Perishable Food
A basement may seem like a handy place to keep extra food, but it isn’t automatically a safe food-storage area. Temperatures and humidity levels can vary, and pests may have easier access to stored food.
Fresh produce, dairy products, meat, and other foods that require refrigeration belong in the appropriate appliance. For basement storage, stick with properly sealed shelf-stable foods and check them regularly for signs of moisture, pests, or spoilage.
Books
Books can take up plenty of room, which makes the basement an appealing storage spot. Yet paper is particularly vulnerable to damp conditions. Over time, humidity can cause pages to curl, covers to warp, and mold or mildew to develop.
If you’re keeping books because you love them or plan to read them again, give them a dry spot inside your home. A shelf in a bedroom, office, or hallway is a much safer choice.
Related: Time to Completely Ditch the Paper: Tips for a Clutter-Free, Paperless Home
Family Photos
Old family photographs are difficult, if not impossible, to replace. Storing them in a basement puts them at risk of moisture damage, mold, fading, and warping.
Keep photo albums and loose prints somewhere dry and away from potential leaks. Archival-quality boxes can provide extra protection for especially valuable photographs and family records.
Paint
The basement may seem like the obvious place for leftover paint cans, but temperature swings can ruin them. Paint can freeze in very cold conditions, separate, or become difficult to use after sitting through repeated temperature changes.
A cool, dry location with temperatures that stay within the manufacturer’s recommended range is a better choice. Always check the label for proper storage instructions before deciding where to keep leftover paint.
Related: The Things Professional Organizers Would Tell You to Get Rid of From Your Basement
Wood Furniture
Wood furniture can suffer in a damp basement. Prolonged exposure to moisture may cause wood to swell, warp, crack, or develop mold.
If you have furniture you’re planning to keep, find a dry indoor storage area. If basement storage is your only option, make sure the space is dry and climate-controlled, and keep furniture raised off the floor where possible.
Seasonal Clothing
Basements are often packed with boxes of winter coats, sweaters, holiday outfits, and other clothing that won’t be needed for months. Unfortunately, moisture can leave clothes smelling musty and create conditions where mildew and pests become a problem.
Store seasonal clothing in clean, sealed containers or vacuum bags in a dry closet or under-bed storage area. Wash and completely dry clothing before putting it away for the season.
Cleaning Supplies
Cleaning products need a stable storage environment. Extreme temperatures can affect some products, while leaks from bottles can damage nearby belongings or surfaces.
A dry utility area, laundry room, or appropriate household storage cabinet is usually a better location. Keep products in their original containers and follow the storage instructions on their labels.
Bicycles
Parking your bicycle in the basement may save space upstairs, but damp air can contribute to rust on the chain, gears, brakes, and other metal components. Tires and other parts can also deteriorate if the bike sits unused for long periods.
A dry garage or shed with good ventilation can be a better storage spot. Before putting the bike away for the season, give it a quick cleaning and check the tires, chain, and brakes.
Related: 14 Practical Ways to Stay Ready When Food Is Hard to Find
Musical Instruments
Guitars, violins, pianos, and other instruments can be particularly sensitive to changes in humidity. Too much moisture can affect wooden components, metal parts, strings, and other delicate pieces.
Keep valuable instruments inside your home in a room with fairly stable temperature and humidity. A protective case can add another layer of protection between the instrument and the surrounding air.
Antiques
That antique table, old artwork, or family heirloom may look perfectly safe in the basement, but these pieces can be vulnerable to moisture, insects, mold, and water damage.
If an item has monetary or sentimental value, give it a dry, clean storage spot inside the house. This is especially true for antique wood furniture, paper goods, textiles, and artwork.
Luggage
Suitcases spend much of their time sitting unused, so it’s easy to toss them into the basement after a trip and forget about them. Months later, you may pull one out only to find that it has picked up a musty smell.
Store luggage in a dry closet, bedroom, or under-bed storage area. Empty every pocket before putting it away, wipe down the exterior, and let the suitcase dry completely after cleaning.
Important Heirlooms
Family heirlooms often end up downstairs simply because they’re used rarely. That can be a risky choice if the items are irreplaceable.
Old quilts, letters, artwork, keepsakes, handmade pieces, and other family treasures deserve a dry and protected spot. If something would be heartbreaking to lose to a basement leak or mold, it probably shouldn’t be stored there.
A basement can still be a great storage area for many everyday items. Just be selective about what you put down there. Holiday decorations, empty storage bins, durable tools, and other items that can handle the conditions are usually much safer choices than irreplaceable belongings.
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