Your laundry room can be a convenient spot for extra storage, but not everything belongs there. The environment tends to be warm and humid, which can affect certain items in unexpected ways.
Knowing what you should avoid keeping in your laundry room helps protect your belongings and keeps the space organized and functional. Keeping these few things out will save you trouble and keep your laundry routine smooth.
Paint and solvents
You should never store paint and solvents in your laundry room. These materials can be flammable and pose a safety risk near heat sources like dryers or water heaters.
Humidity and temperature changes in the laundry room can cause these liquids to degrade or leak.
Keeping them elsewhere, in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated space, is much safer. This helps prevent accidents and keeps your laundry area clean and organized.
Food and pantry items
You might think storing snacks or canned goods in your laundry room is a good idea, but it’s not the best spot. The heat and humidity from your washer and dryer can cause food to spoil faster or lose its quality.
Moisture can also attract pests or cause packaging to weaken. Plus, strong cleaning product odors might transfer to your food.
It’s better to keep your pantry items in a cool, dry place like kitchen cabinets or a dedicated pantry. This helps maintain freshness and keeps your food safe.
Important documents and keepsakes
You should avoid storing important documents and keepsakes in your laundry room. The heat and humidity can damage papers and photos over time.
Moisture can cause mold or warping, while the busy environment increases the risk of losing or damaging these items. Instead, keep them in a cool, dry, and secure place like a fireproof safe or a dedicated filing cabinet.
Safe storage helps ensure your valuables stay in good condition and that you can easily find them when needed.
Candles and wax products
You should avoid storing candles and wax products in your laundry room. The heat and humidity can cause the wax to soften or melt, making a mess and possibly damaging your surfaces.
If your candles are not in jars, the wax can drip and harden underneath, which is hard to clean. Instead, keep them in a cool, dry place to preserve their shape and scent.
Storing candles in the freezer is also not a good idea. It can crack the wax or ruin the wick, so a stable, cool environment works best for your candles.
