What You Should Keep Outside vs. Inside When You Don’t Have a Garage

If you’re tight on space, it’s tempting to cram everything in a shed or leave it scattered in the yard. But some things can handle the elements better than others, and storing gear the wrong way can ruin it fast. If you don’t have a garage, you’ve got to be smart about what stays where.

Power Tools Should Stay Inside

Even if they’re battery-operated or “weather resistant,” power tools don’t hold up well in sheds with moisture or temperature swings. Condensation will rust blades, mess with circuits, and shorten battery life. Bring them indoors or store in a sealed container somewhere climate controlled.

Gas Cans and Fuel Stay Outside

Fumes from gasoline, diesel, or propane aren’t something you want in your house—or even in a shed with poor airflow. Keep fuel stored in a shaded outdoor spot, away from anything flammable. A ventilated cabinet or covered area works better than tucking it behind stuff indoors.

Gardening Tools Can Go Either Way

Hand tools like shovels, hoes, or rakes are fine outside if they’re hung up and dry. What ruins them is sitting in damp soil or being left out in the rain. Add a wall rack or dry bucket for them, and they’ll last years even without a garage.

Extension Cords Belong Inside

Outdoor-rated cords aren’t invincible. Sunlight makes them brittle, and repeated exposure to wet grass or mud wears them out fast. Store cords coiled up indoors or in a sealed bin. A ruined cord is more than annoying—it’s a real fire hazard if cracked or split.

Paint and Stain Should Stay Inside

Freezing temps or summer heat can ruin paint and wood stain fast. It might look sealed, but once it goes through enough temperature swings, it separates, thickens, or loses its coverage. Keep it inside where it stays at a consistent temp—preferably in a closet or utility room.

Animal Feed Shouldn’t Be Stored Outside

Even if you think it’s airtight, mice, humidity, and bugs will find their way in. Outdoor bins sweat, too, which causes clumping and mold. Feed belongs in a dry, enclosed space—ideally off the ground and sealed tight. You’ll waste less and avoid stomach issues in your animals.

Power Washer Can Stay Outside—With Conditions

If you’ve got a covered porch or shed that doesn’t flood, a power washer can live there. But don’t leave it fully exposed. Water left in the pump can freeze, and heat can mess with hoses. Drain it, disconnect parts, and store it up off concrete or dirt.

Spray Bottles and Cleaning Chemicals Go Inside

Bleach, degreaser, and other cleaning products break down when left out in the heat. Some can even lose their strength entirely. Plus, sun can warp or crack the bottles. Tuck these in a utility cabinet or under a sink—somewhere they won’t be exposed to temperature extremes.

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