Your shed might be a playground for rats if you're not storing stuff properly – experts recommend ditching 5 items now

The Sun

26-04-2025

IF you're planning on giving your garden shed a good spring clean, there are five items you can start with.
An expert has revealed the stuff that's gathering dust in your shed that you can throw away first, including one that could attract rodents.
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With the good weather continuing, most Brits are likely digging through their garden sheds looking for their outdoor dining sets and loungers.
If you're sick of climbing over clutter to get to your summer furniture, an expert has revealed the items that are likely beyond salvaging in your garden shed.
While sheds are often used as convenient extra storage space, it's easy to overlook the suitability of what is actually keeping in them.
It might feel like the perfect spot to offload the clutter but there are a few items that really don't belong in a shed.
This is particularly true for sheds that are cold, damp, and dark for most of the year.
And while it's tempting to assume that as long as something is under cover, it's safe but this is not always the case.
While your shed may offer protection from the wind and rain, it can still be unsuitable for storing some of your household items.
Aaron Priestman, owner of Brighton Bike Sheds, revealed the reality behind shed storage.
'Most garden sheds aren't insulated, and when you factor in things like the climate, drastic temperature changes, damp, and even pests, they're just not suitable for storing many of the things people typically keep in them," he said.
The first item the expert recommended keeping out of your shed is your indoor electronics.
Turning a Garden Shed into a Dream Bedroom
Whether it's old speakers, a spare TV, or tools with electrical components, electronics don't belong in a shed, the expert said.
Fluctuating temperatures and humidity can cause condensation to build up inside devices.
This can potentially damage circuits and cause corrosion over time.
Even if your electronics are boxed up, moisture can still get in, and once it does, it's often game over.
Similarly, batteries should not be store outdoors, eespecially lithium ones.
Garden features that add the most value to a house
A well-kept garden can add anywhere between 5-20% to the value of a property.
Sellhousefast.uk carried out a study and consulted 36 estate agents, garden designers and property professionals from across the UK.
And the experts revealed the garden feature which adds the most value to a property is a shed.
Shed - 82%
Patio or paving - 76%
Secure fencing, walls or gates - 72%
Outdoor lighting - 66%
Sturdy decking - 62%
Water features eg. fountain or pond - 58%
Modern garden furniture - 54%
Artificial lawn/grass - 40%
This is not only bad for the batteries themselves but can also be dangerous.
Excessive heat or freezing temperatures can cause them to degrade, leak or, in some cases, become a fire risk.
The expert recommended keeping batteries somewhere cool, dry, and temperature-controlled instead.
Any homeowner prone to a bit of DIY is likely guilty of storing paint in their garden shed.
While it might seem a logical place to keep leftover tins of paint, sheds rarely maintain a stable enough temperature.
Extreme cold can cause paint to separate or go lumpy, while heat can dry it out completely.
If the tin rusts or isn't sealed properly, the contents will spoil, and be unusable when you need it most.
Anything made of fabric, including outdoor cushions and blankets to tents and sleeping bags, can be a magnet for mould, mildew, and pests when stored in a damp environment.
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Even if stored in airtight boxes, fabric items are still at risk of becoming musty or worse, completely ruined.
And finally bird seed and pet food can also attract pests to your garden shed.
While it might seem practical to store these items in your shed, it's a surefire way to attract rodents and insects.
Damp air can also lead to mould, making the food unsafe for animals to consume.
Always store food products in sealed containers indoors or in a dry, temperature-stable location.
'A shed should be treated more like an outdoor extension of your storage, not a place to forget about things long-term," the expert said,
"If you're going to use it regularly, it's worth investing in proper insulation and ventilation, or at the very least, checking on what's inside from time to time.
"Otherwise, you may find that what you've stored is no longer usable when you finally go back to it.'