6 Things in Your Shed You Should Throw Away Right Now

A backyard shed is often used by homeowners to store any lawn or garden items or it’s used as extra storage for items that no longer fit inside the house. Although it may be easy to throw any spare items into the shed, it also isn’t the right place for everything.

We asked home experts about the items that should be tossed out from the shed, here are six items to look out for in your next outdoor clean-up.

Ditch Chemicals

Changing temperatures and exposure to moisture in the air can degrade many fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals used by gardeners.

Alex Tinsman, a gardener from HowToHouseplant.com, says if you have any chemicals, bring them inside to an air-conditioned space for long-term storage. Can’t remember how long a bottle containing chemicals has been in the shed? Then it’s time to toss it. Remember to use safe disposal options in your area.

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Bring Electric Items Inside 

Heat and humidity can wreak havoc on everyday gadgets since moisture can easily damage components and render appliances. Check to see what appliances may be in your shed and take any working electronics back into the house. If you come across outdated appliances, directly contact a business to repair or recycle them.

Discard Touch-Up Paint

Leaving leftover paint in the shed over a long period of time can damage the remaining paint quality. Even if you do plan to touch up the color, it will not be the same as what is gracing your walls or other surfaces; chemicals will break down over time.

It is best to keep any leftover paint in a cool and dry inside space. Bill Nishanian, owner of Nash Painting, shares a few tricks on keeping your paint fresher.

“Once your paint job is complete, move touch-up paint from your five-gallon buckets to the smallest container that will hold it, a one-gallon or even quart-size bucket,” he says.

“Close the lid and flip the can upside down to create an air-tight seal. Your paint will last longer and won’t develop that rotten egg smell.”

Throw Away Old Magazines and Paper

If you have a pile of magazines or books stored in a shed, sort through them to see which ones you want to keep or discard. Donate old books and magazines to local organizations or libraries if they are still in good shape.

Old piles of paper can build up and cause clutter in your shed if they’re not properly organized. Since most sheds aren’t completely airtight, harsh weather conditions can deteriorate any leftover paper and lead to mold growing.

Let Go of Project Materials

It isn’t just paper that winds up accumulating in backyard sheds. They also become a repository for lumber, drywall, and other items that are left over from home improvement projects.

“Most people do not check their sheds every day, which can be a real problem if damage occurs that can not be seen from the outside,” says Nelson Villalobos, the owner of Ozark Premier Buildings.

“Think of hail that can damage a roof, or if a tree limb breaks a window that is not easily visible,” he says. “That’s why you should never store highly valuable items in your shed. The damage will not get noticed if no one is able to easily see it.”

Out With the Artwork

Maybe you have moved a wall hanging out of your home because it doesn’t suit your tastes, but you didn’t want to get rid of it.

As with the other items listed here, extreme temperatures and other weather issues can destroy everything including the frame. It also could easily be damaged by pests or mold. If you like the frame but not what it frames, give it new life by swapping out the painting with one you do like.

Because sheds can keep unwanted items out of sight, it is also out of mind. Take an inventory of everything in your outbuilding. You might just be surprised by what you find there. Take some time to clear it out, trash or donate what isn’t needed, and organize the items that remain so it’s easier to keep track of the shed’s contents.