A question that doesn’t get asked often enough when installing new shelving is what should my shelves be made out of?

In a lot of cases, people think shelving is a one-size-fits-all solution to getting things organized, but that’s not always the case. A lot of different shelves have different uses and different places where they work best, and knowing these differences can be more helpful than you might think.

One prime example of a shelving type with specific uses is rust proof wire shelving. True to its name, this type of wire shelf is coated with a special epoxy that helps further inhibit rust and prevent corrosion, even in harsh environments that deal in a lot of humidity or moisture.

Now, we know what you’re probably thinking - “That sounds good, but shouldn’t that be used in a warehouse or refrigerator or something?” You’re not wrong, but a lot of homes are turning to more industrial-styled storage solutions for their durability, ease of use, and unique look, and rust-proof shelves are a perfect example of this.

Curious to see how much help they can be in your home? Here’s three rooms that could use rust-proof shelving, and what you can store in there:

Laundry Room

Think about your laundry room, and everything you have to keep in there. Not just the washer and dryer - there’s half-filled detergent bottles, boxes of fabric softener you’ll never use again, and all kinds of color-safe bleach you need to keep safe and away from the rest of your clothes.

The storage needs of a laundry room are twofold: you need to be able to safely store cleaning products that don’t need to be spilled all over the place, and the shelves need to be able to withstand the humidity and changing temperatures of a laundry room, particularly one in a basement. By bringing in rust proof shelves you can help reduce the risk of spillage or damage to your shelves (or even your clothes) from bleach or powdered soap getting knocked over, and help withstand the humidity that’s bound to build up in there over time.

Pantries/Food Storage

Food storage, especially long-term storage of bigger quantities for all you Costco shoppers out there, is a pretty common concern in most homes. Rust proof shelving (and its sibling, wire shelving) is a common fixture in restaurants and food storage facilities for its ability to resist rust in the temperatures that food often needs to be stored in, as well as preventing the growth of bacteria.

Even if you’re just storing dry goods at room temperature in a pantry, rust proof wire shelves are a great way to keep your food organized and safe - well, safe from everything except prying hands looking for a snack. Set some of these up in your pantry or basement and help keep your food safer, longer.

The Garage

Now, we know garage storage can be an entire story unto itself, but rust proof wire shelves are a great go-to when you have a garage in need of a little fixing up.

As a lot of the stuff you keep in your garage is probably out there for a reason, it needs to be stored as safely as possible, and rust proof shelving is a good call for that. The coating means it can handle things like cleaning supplies, car paint, motor oil and other chemicals, and even some smaller power tools no problem. Better yet, for everyone without a heated garage (and realistically speaking, that’s most of us) the rust-proof coating can withstand cold & humidity to protect your stuff and prevent you from needing to replace your shelves after a cold winter.

Got any other ideas about where to use rust proof shelving, or maybe you just want to see what shelves work best for which room? Drop a comment below or contact The Shelving Store today!