11 Things You Should Never Store in Plastic Bins

You probably have some of these things stored in plastic right this minute.

By 

Lisa Milbrand

Published on June 27, 2024

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Plastic bins may seem like the perfect way to store most things. Since they’re pretty impermeable, they can be great for protecting your favorite things from flooding, moisture, and pests. But there are things that should never be stored in plastic bins—and likely, you probably have some of those things stored in them right this very minute.

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So before you go stuffing everything into plastic bins, take a look at our list of items you definitely shouldn’t store in them—plus our tips for choosing other types of bins, too.

Things You Shouldn’t Store in Plastic Bins

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Leather

“Leather is not good to store in plastic, as it can stick and damage it,” says Jamie Hord of Horderly. If moisture gets trapped in with your leather goods, it can also cause your leather to crack.

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Photos

Heat and moisture could cause photos to stick together, fade, or become damaged if they’re stored in a plastic container. Your best bet is to look for storage containers designed for photo storage, and find ones that are labeled “archival quality”—as they will be free of acids and other chemicals that could cause your photos to degrade.

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Electronics

A plastic container in a well-controlled environment (like your bedroom closet) might be okay for sensitive electronics. But a plastic container stored in a spot where temperature and moisture fluctuations happen (like your attic or basement) could lead to damage to your electronic equipment.

If you do decide to store your electronics in a plastic container, add in some silica gel packets to help reduce the chances of moisture damage.