The summers in Florida are quite hot and humid. These weather conditions can make your garage an unbearable space and affect everything stored in it. You must carefully store your things in the garage; not paying attention can cause your tools to rust, holiday decorations to develop mold, and electronics to suffer damage due to heat. Let’s understand how you can keep your belongings safe and your garage space more comfortable during the summer.
Begin with Deep Cleaning
Before thinking of storage solutions, you must first go through your belongings and get rid of the things that are no longer needed. Florida’s humid weather can cause forgotten and unused items to degrade over time, so it’s vital to declutter and only keep the things that you need. Old items such as cardboard boxes, children’s toys, books, broken appliances, and rarely used items only add to the problem. You can donate or discard anything that is no longer of use to you.
A properly organized garage not only makes it easier for you to find things when you are looking for them but also improves airflow, preventing heat from getting trapped. After decluttering, you can implement smart storage solutions. Plastic bins with airtight seals are better than cardboard boxes that absorb moisture and attract pests. Strong shelves help keep items off the floor, reducing exposure to damp conditions. For items that you use frequently, you can create clearly labeled bins to make access simpler.
Protect Against Heat and Humidity
Sometimes, the temperatures in Florida garages can shoot up to 120°F. Extreme heat along with high humidity creates the ideal environment for mold growth, rust, and general deterioration. By taking a few steps to control the temperature, you can better safeguard your belongings. Insulating your garage door and walls can considerably reduce the temperature inside. If you don’t want to get insulation done, you can instead install a reflective barrier or weather stripping to keep the heat out.
To reduce humidity, you can get a high-quality dehumidifier to maintain safe humidity levels. Adding moisture absorbers like silica gel inside storage bins can provide extra protection. Proper ventilation is also important; by installing a ceiling fan or exhaust vents, you can improve airflow and make your garage space cooler.
Store Heat-Sensitive Items Correctly
All goods and items aren’t suitable to be stored in a hot garage, especially in Florida. Heat-sensitive items such as batteries, electronics, candles, and certain household chemicals can spoil and get damaged quickly in extreme temperatures. If possible, it’s better to store these in an air-conditioned or cool space like inside your home.
To prevent rust on tools and metal objects, you can wipe them with a small amount of oil. You must ensure that any paint tubs kept in the garage are sealed tightly and stored on shelves rather than directly on the floor, where temperature fluctuations can impact their consistency.
Prepare for Summer Storms
Florida also experiences sudden heavy rains and storms during the summer. If your garage is prone to flooding, you must take precautions by elevating important items on shelves to keep them dry and safe from unexpected water damage. Check for cracks or gaps in the garage door from where water may enter and seal them properly.
Get in touch with InReach Storage today to explore advanced garage storage solutions in Naples, Bonita Springs, Fort Myers, and beyond. Our team offers customized solutions to keep your garage organized and protected from Florida’s harsh summer weather.
