Electronic Devices That Need Specialized Protection
Your gadgets deserve better than generic plastic containers. Due to their sensitivity to changes in temperature and moisture, electronic devices and batteries should not be stored in plastic containers. Plastic bins may not provide adequate protection against these elements, which increases the risk of corrosion or malfunction. Electronics can generate static electricity inside plastic containers, which might damage sensitive components.
Furthermore, extremely cold or hot temperatures can worsen battery life and cause damage to the device’s components. Your old smartphones, tablets, and laptops need anti-static bags or specialized electronics storage boxes. To keep your electronics safe, store them in storage solutions designed for electronics, such as anti-static bags or padded cases designed specifically for electronics to ensure their longevity. These should also be stored in a climate-controlled space.
Batteries Are Dangerous Fire Hazards
To prevent fires from lithium-ion batteries, tape battery terminals and/or place batteries in separate plastic bags and never put these batteries in household garbage or recycling bins. But storing them long-term in plastic containers creates a perfect storm for disaster. This is because it can generate static electricity, which could damage sensitive electronic devices, or even cause batteries to leak.
The EPA strongly warns against putting batteries in regular storage containers. Lithium-ion batteries and devices containing these batteries should NOT go in household garbage or recycling bins. Your best bet? Store batteries in their original packaging or specialized battery organizers made from non-conductive materials. Temperature fluctuations in plastic bins can cause batteries to corrode, leak toxic chemicals, or even explode in extreme cases.
Important Documents and Paper Materials
That birth certificate or wedding photo collection sitting in your plastic storage bin is slowly deteriorating. Paper is highly vulnerable to moisture damage and pests. Although plastic bins may seem protective, they can trap humidity, potentially compromising the integrity of your documents and photos. Once moisture gets trapped inside, there’s nowhere for it to escape.
They will be at risk of being damaged if any heat or moisture gets in. The plastic traps it completely, and any paper items stuck inside can get moldy or disintegrate. Professional archivists recommend acid-free boxes with proper ventilation. It’s better to choose archival-quality boxes and folders for these items. Your family memories and legal documents deserve better protection than what plastic containers can offer.
Medications Require Controlled Environments
It’s crucial for medications to be stored in the right place and under proper conditions so they maintain their efficacy. Some need to be refrigerated, some need to be in room temperature, and none should be left in the sun – so don’t store them in a plastic container in the wrong environment. Plastic bins don’t regulate temperature or humidity, which can alter the chemical composition of your prescriptions.
Never transfer medications from their original packaging into plastic containers. Also, avoid transferring medicine from the original packaging into plastic containers, like ziplock bags. The original packaging is specifically designed to protect each medication from environmental factors. Get a climate-controlled medicine container or choose a climate-controlled storage environment. Your health literally depends on proper medication storage.
Delicate Fabrics Need to Breathe
Cashmere, silk, and wool clothing suffocate in plastic containers. Fabrics such as cashmere, wool, and even lace are prone to capturing excess moisture, musty odors and damage if not properly stored. The lack of air circulation creates the perfect environment for mildew and moth damage. Your expensive sweaters and delicate linens can develop permanent odors and stains.
Materials like silk don’t do well in airtight spaces and will be susceptible to damage due to any heat or moisture. We recommend felt bins, woven baskets, and open fabric cubes instead for your clothes, sheets, and other fabrics in delicate materials because they will allow them to breathe. Natural fibers need airflow to maintain their integrity and prevent damage from trapped moisture.
Leather Items Can Crack and Deteriorate
Your leather boots, handbags, and jackets are investments that plastic storage will destroy. Leather is sensitive to heat and moisture, so it’s important to avoid materials that can trap these in, like cling film or plastic bins. When things like leather belts, wallets, or jackets are exposed to heat or humidity, they can crack, dry out, or develop mold.
Leather needs to breathe to maintain its suppleness and prevent cracking. They are best kept where they can be receive air. Store them in the boxes they came in or get a container made of a breathable material like mesh or fabric. The oils in leather can also react with certain plastics, causing permanent discoloration. Cotton garment bags or cedar-lined closets provide much better protection than plastic bins.
Hot Foods Release Dangerous Chemicals
Hot food and liquids should never be stored in plastic containers as the high temperatures can cause the plastic to release harmful chemicals. When you put steaming leftovers directly into plastic containers, the heat causes chemical migration from the plastic into your food. This isn’t just about food safety – it’s about preventing potential health risks.
Always make sure to let food cool before storing in plastic containers. That said, plastic generally breaks down over time – especially when exposed to heat while cooking, reheating, or washing in the dishwasher – and can leach into your food. Even “microwave-safe” plastics can release chemicals when exposed to high temperatures. Glass containers are always the safer choice for hot foods.
Acidic and Oily Foods Cause Chemical Leaching
That leftover spaghetti sauce or curry you stored in plastic? It’s slowly breaking down the container and absorbing harmful chemicals. The acidity in tomato sauces can cause the plastic to degrade and absorb odors over time. But as for the left-behind reddish tint, Hardin says that this acidity reacts to the plastic and can causes chemical leaching.
Foods with a high fat content such as lasagna are best to avoid when it comes to plastic containers as the fat can absorb more chemicals from the plastic compared to other food types. Oils and acids act like solvents, pulling chemicals from plastic into your food. Avoid storing fatty or acidic foods in plastic: These foods can absorb harmful chemicals more easily. Your marinara sauce deserves glass containers, not plastic ones.
Fresh Fruits That Need Air Circulation
I’m a big fruit eater, and I’ve noticed that fruits like berries and avocados tend to go bad faster in plastic than in glass containers. The trapped moisture in plastic containers creates a greenhouse effect that accelerates spoilage. Additionally, Vallo says that the lack of ventilation in plastic containers causes fruits to get moldy and mushy because of the moisture buildup.
Berries, citrus fruits, and stone fruits release ethylene gas as they ripen. In sealed plastic containers, this gas becomes concentrated and causes premature ripening and decay. Glass containers with proper ventilation or breathable produce bags keep your fruits fresh much longer. The difference in shelf life can be dramatic – sometimes doubling how long your fruits stay fresh.
Pungent Foods That Stain and Contaminate
Foods with a strong odor such as onions, garlic, and certain cheeses can penetrate the plastic, which will leave it stained with the smell and potentially ruin foods stored in the container in the future. Once plastic absorbs these powerful odors, they’re nearly impossible to remove completely. Your next batch of cookies might end up tasting like onions.
Finally, anything that has a strong odor like shoes, pet food, or scented items can cause plastic bins to retain the smell over time. So, best to use more breathable storage for items with odors. The porous nature of plastic makes it absorb and hold onto strong scents indefinitely. Glass containers with tight-sealing lids prevent cross-contamination between foods.
Hazardous Household Chemicals
Never store products with hazardous ingredients in food or beverage containers. Also, never store these products in the same area as food. Cleaning supplies, paint thinners, and other chemicals can react with plastic containers, causing them to deteriorate and potentially leak dangerous substances.
It’s essential to follow proper storage guidelines for chemicals and hazardous materials and use designated containers made from compatible materials such as glass or metal to store your cleaning supplies to ensure safe handling and storage. Many household chemicals can eat through plastic over time, creating dangerous spills and toxic exposure risks. Chemicals should always be segregated according to their specific hazard(s) to prevent unintended reactions. As a general rule, chemicals need to be physically segregated from incompatible chemicals.
Valuable Antiques and Collectibles
When dealing with antiques, you’re working against time to maintain the quality of something that’s aged and is very fragile as a result. Plastic isn’t a good match with antiques because it can trap moisture and affect their materials. Vintage items often contain materials that react poorly with modern plastics, causing discoloration or chemical damage.
Important documents, valuables, and delicate items such as photos and artwork are all at risk of being damaged when stored in plastic containers. Plastic bins may also not provide adequate protection against light exposure, temperature fluctuations, and humidity levels, which are critical factors in preserving important artwork, and valuables. Antiques need specialized storage that considers their specific materials and age-related vulnerabilities. With antique furniture, wrap them in breathable materials like cloth instead of plastic wrap. Trinkets, books, clothes, and other fabrics can go in small boxes, so wrap them in acid-free paper or newspaper based on the item and store them in fabric cubes.
The safest approach to storage is understanding that one size doesn’t fit all. While plastic bins are convenient and affordable, they’re not suitable for many of your most valuable and important possessions. One of the biggest enemies of stored items is moisture. In damp or humid areas of the country, mold can be extremely common and can damage items beyond repair. To avoid this, you may need to take a multipronged approach to fight moisture damage. Whether it’s your grandmother’s pearls or your prescription medications, taking the time to choose proper storage materials will save you money and heartache in the long run.