8 Things You Should Never Leave on Your Porch Overnight

Some stuff feels harmless to leave out on the porch overnight, but it doesn’t take much for the weather—or critters—to mess things up. Heat, humidity, raccoons, wind, nosy neighbors—there’s always something.

If you tend to set things down and forget them, it might be time to break that habit. A little cleanup at night keeps you from dealing with a bigger mess in the morning.

Packages

Porches aren’t secure, and it doesn’t take long for a package to disappear or get soaked. Even under a roof, heat and humidity can warp packaging or mess with what’s inside.

If you’re not home much during the day, consider a lockbox or ask a neighbor to grab it. The longer it sits out there, the higher the chance it gets ruined—or stolen.

Shoes

Leaving shoes outside might seem like a good way to keep dirt out of the house, but it’s also a good way to ruin them. They soak up moisture fast, even without rain.

By morning, they’ll be damp, musty, or full of bugs. Toss them in a bin with a lid or bring them in at night, especially if they’re the ones you wear every day.

Dog Bowls

Water bowls grow algae fast in the heat, and food bowls attract every critter in the county. Fire ants, raccoons, possums—you name it. Leaving them out overnight is basically an open invite.

Empty them and rinse them before bed. It’ll keep your dog healthier and your porch cleaner, which saves you from a gross surprise in the morning.

Cushions or Blankets

Even if your porch is covered, cushions and throw blankets soak up humidity all night long. They start to smell, fade, or grow mildew faster than you’d think.

If you want them to last, store them in a deck box or bring them in each night. It’s a small habit that’ll save you money down the line.

Tools or Yard Gear

We’ve all left a tool leaning against the house and meant to get it “later.” But by the next day, it’s already collected moisture and started rusting.

Hand tools, battery-powered stuff, extension cords—they’re not made to live outside. Take the extra few minutes to put them back where they belong.

Groceries

You’d be surprised how often groceries get left on the porch while someone’s wrangling kids or unloading the car. If there’s anything perishable in those bags, it doesn’t take long to go bad.

Bring groceries all the way in right away. Even shelf-stable stuff can get weird when it sits in heat or humidity overnight.

Plants or Flower Deliveries

If you get a nursery drop-off or someone surprises you with flowers, bring them in sooner than later. Even if they’re in boxes, heat and darkness can stress them out.

Plus, critters may knock them over or dig in the soil. Don’t let a good gift or expensive plant order go to waste because it sat out too long.

Electronics or Batteries

If the delivery includes anything with a battery or charger, it doesn’t need to be sitting in the heat overnight. Humidity and temperature swings mess with electronics before you even open the box.

Grab them off the porch as soon as you can. It’s not worth risking a return or malfunction because you didn’t bring it in.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.