10 things you should never store in your basement

Your child’s favourite toys—especially stuffed animals and other plush toys—should be stored in an area other than the basement.

Dust mites, other insects and even mice may infest the toys if given the chance.

If you must store toys in the basement or under the house, make sure they are secured in airtight containers.

Best store make a handy storage unit so they can keep them out of the way in their bedroom.

You want to save your favourite books from childhood to give to your kids or grandkids someday, but storing them in the basement isn’t the best solution.

Silverfish are insects that thrive in dark, damp environments such as basements and crawl spaces and the bugs love to feast on starchy substances, such as the glue that binds books.

Eaither way you may have to clean the basement. Here’s the best non-toxic products to use.

Rolled up rugs and carpeting make great homes for insects and mice so consider storing them in a spot other than the basement or under the house.

The rug and carpet fibres will also absorb moisture and odour, which may ruin them if left for long periods. Need a new rug? One of the quickest and most affordable ways to revamp a room is to lay a rug.

It may be tempting to store extra firewood in the basement for easy retrieval when you’re ready to build a fire in the fireplace, but the moisture in basements can cause rot and make the wood too wet.

Keep firewood at least 20 feet away from your home so it doesn’t become a haven for pests.

Love your fireplace? Get the most out of it with these shelves.

It may be tempting to store that extra propane tank for the grill, unused paint or kerosene in your basement, but flammable materials pose a hazard when kept inside.

These types of flammable items can be extremely dangerous if left near a furnace, water heater or clothes dryer.

Instead, take them outside and store them in the garage or a shed.

If your basement is also a make-do workshop, follow this guide to ensure accidents, flames and spills are kept to a minimum.

Since wood can easily be ruined by mildew, keep wood furniture out of the basement and under the house.

Same goes for upholstered furniture which can absorb moisture and contain odors.

Instead, store these items in dry areas of your home.

Millions of people know all too well the musty, musky smell of mould in their home. Here’s how to find it and get rid of it.

Consider storing your old clothing—whether your favourite dresses, winter coats or sweaters—some place other than the basement.

Clothes are prone to moth infestations.

Fur and leather also don’t hold up well when stored in damp areas.

Keep clothing in sealed plastic bags and store in another area of the home.

Or you could just buy some new tradie fashion to match each season.

If you want to keep that old DVD player or stereo, store it in a place other than the basement or crawl space.

Extreme temperatures and moisture can cause problems with the components.

Electronics not working? It could just be a soldering issue, which you can fix with the right tools and attitude.

Don’t risk keeping those important papers such as medical records, passports and birth certificates in the basement or under the house.

Same goes for photos as they could be damaged by water and excess moisture in the air.

If you need to keep some paper items in the basement, store them in an air-tight plastic container.

Probably best to keep important papers and ducments hidden inside the house with a trick like this.

Basements can be great places to store canned goods and some root vegetables, but not all food should be kept in the basement.

Any perishable food should be kept out of the basement as it may attract mildew and insects.

Put it in a stylish kitchen pantry instead.

This articlle first appeared on The Family Handyman.