Cleaning supplies and toxic chemicals are such common items around the home, that it’s often easy to overlook proper storage practices. In fact, the Household Product Manufacturer Directory contains a list of 354 major chemicals manufacturers which, together, produce more than 6,000 different household chemical products. From transmission fluids and motor oils to paint thinners, pesticides, and others, it’s easy to get lackadaisical with proper storing procedures or forget to adequately dispose of harmful chemicals and cleaners.
Not only do these products cause unwanted and unsafe clutter in places like your garage, but they also pose a great threat to the health and safety of your family or other occupants in your home. The Environmental Working Group reports that improper storage of common chemicals and cleaning supplies can result in harmful side effects. Some of these include:
- Asthma caused by the fumes from various cleaning supplies.
- Cancer caused by high formaldehyde levels in frequently used chemicals.
- Birth defects of babies born to women held cleaning jobs while pregnant.
- Chemical burns, irritations, allergies, and poisonings caused by some cleaners.
By being aware of chemical safety and taking the precautionary measures to install proper cleaning supply storage, you can ensure your home or garage is not just child proof, but also that your entire family is safe from the common dangers that loom over improperly stored chemicals and cleaning products.
Proper Storage Techniques for Chemicals & Cleaners
Below you’ll find effective solutions for correctly storing chemicals and cleaners in common places like your garage.
- Paints, solvents, and cleaning supplies: First and foremost, ensure that you use proper ventilation every time you use these products and buy only the amount you’ll need or use in a limited amount of time. After using, be diligent about resealing these containers and ensure that all bottles and cans have their original labels as well as other clear indicators of what the product is.
- Pesticides and fertilizers: Always keep these products in their original containers with original labels. Be sure these products are always stored in places out of the home like the garage or storage shed.
- Toxic chemicals: Any chemicals that can be considered toxic should be securely stored in a cabinet that’s off the ground. The Flow Wall storage system offers an array of different cabinet sizes that can adequately hold all of your harmful and dangerous chemicals.
There are also several general rules about chemical and cleaner storage that you should also consider. For example, you should avoid storing these and other potentially dangerous products on the floor, even for a temporary amount of time. By installing a high-quality garage storage system, that features elements like panels, shelves, hooks, bins and more you will have an array of reliable options for properly storing chemicals and cleaners so that they aren’t just safe from children, pets, and others in your home, but that they are also stored in a neat and organized manner. This way you can find the products you need, when you need them, without having to worry about rummaging through the cluttered, miscellaneous contents of your garage.
Lastly, when it’s time to dispose of your chemicals and cleaning products, be sure that you do so correctly. Simply throwing them in the garbage is often dangerous and insufficient. Instead, contact your local city office or do your research to find out where you can properly and safely dispose of these harmful products.