Lots of us do things just because that’s the way we’ve been taught to do it. But there could be better ways to store household items that you just don’t know about.
Here are 15 household items that you’re storing wrong:
1) Keep Medicine Out of the Medicine Cabinet
The medicine cabinet is actually the worst place to store medicine. The heat, cold, moisture, and light can damage medicine and cause it to be less potent. It’s best to place them in a dresser drawer or a cool dark spot in your kitchen. Also be sure to remove that piece of cotton from the bottle, it can harbor moisture.
2) Wine Glasses Go Upright
Do you store your cocktail glasses upside down? While it keeps dust out, you run the risk of chipping your glasses since the lip of the glass is most fragile and you can knock it against your shelf this way. Store upright and cover with a paper towel if you need to, or get a hanging glass rack.
3) Cereal, Flour, Herbs, Spices, Chocolate, Dried Fruits
We’d think that storing foods in the packaging they come in would work just fine, but you could be inviting bugs to dinner. Insects are known to creep into our packages of flour, herbs, cereal, chocolate, spices, and dried foods. It’s best to store these items in airtight containers.
4) Cookie Sheets Get Filed
You’re wasting a lot of space by stacking your cookie sheets. Use vertical placed tension rods or a file sorter to organize them instead. This will save space and prevent your sheets from getting scratched up.
5) Canned Foods and Drinks Go In Racks
Canned foods and drinks take up a lot of space and it’s all too easy to lose track of expired cans. Put them in a can storage rack. They are inexpensive, take up less space, and will keep your oldest cans in the front.
6) Non-Stick Pans Need A Barrier
If you’re stacking your non-stick or cast iron pans, you’re making a big mistake. This scratches them and can ruin their coating. Place a cloth, paper towel or paper plate in between them to prevent scratching.
7) Baking Mats Get Rolled
Stacking baking mats can wear them out and take up a lot of space. A better way to store them is to roll them. Just place a cardboard tube around them so they stay in place.
8) Knives Go In A Block Or Bar
Some of us spend a pretty penny on our knives. But tossing them into a draw could damage them or even cut someone trying to get into the drawer. It’s best to store them in a knife block or magnetic knife bar.
9) Wine Bottles On Their Sides
You might know this if you’re a wine person, if not, listen up. Wine bottles should be stored horizontally and on their sides. This keeps the cork moist, which allows air in so that the wine doesn’t spoil.
10) Christmas Lights
Untangling Christmas lights can be a real pain. Wrap them around an old paper towel roll or coffee can to keep them untangled. Keep them in a dark place to prevent fading.
11) Yoga Mats
Do not store these in the trunk of your car. It may be convenient so you don’t forget it when going to yoga class but the heat or change in temperature can break the mat down. Keep it in a cool dry place near your keys instead so you don’t forget it.
12) Perfume
We all keep perfume in our countertops or in a cabinet. But this isn’t helping it to last longer. Keep your perfume in the refrigerator to make it stay fresher longer and prevent it from going bad.
13) Important Papers
Birth certificates, medical records, and other important papers need to be protected. Use a fireproof storage box that isn’t packed away in a closet and is accessible. This will enable you to grab it on the go in case of an emergency.
14) Photos
Most of us toss our photos into an album or box without thinking twice. This keep leaves them open to fading or yellowing. Use an acid-free album or box to store your precious memories in.
15) Clothing
We all spend money on nice clothes so you’ll want them to last. Most of us put clothes in bins or plastic for longterm storage but this can damage and wrinkle your clothing. It’s best to place them in a breathable container, like canvas or cotton, with moth repellant to prevent this.
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