In many cases, renting a self-storage facility might be a wise storage option. A storage unit can be useful whether you’re managing inventory for your small business, have a gap in your schedule between buying and selling a house, or live in a tiny apartment with little space. When considering the amount of stress that is avoided, the monthly recurring expense is typically negligible, particularly if it is a temporary fix.
If you’re thinking about renting a storage facility, there are some rules you should know. Certain things belong in garages, attics, and basements, not storage units.
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Things You Should Never Put in a Storage Unit
Any Food
Any food in a storage unit is akin to inviting spooky creatures over for dinner. It is not recommended to store perishables, and even if your facility isn’t strict about it, pantry non-perishables aren’t much better either. Canned goods can explode, boxes or bags can easily be chewed through, and food can eventually rot, creating an odor problem in the building. Speaking of odors, even pleasant smells should be avoided in storage units. Items with strong scents, such as candles, perfumes, incense, and soap, can draw pests and unavoidably irritate your storage neighbors.
Anything Moist
Let’s say you keep your stand-up paddleboard or kayak in a storage unit between trips to the lake. Before you lock them up, make sure they are entirely dry to prevent mold and mildew from growing on your pricey equipment and everything else in the unit. When transferring things in on a wet day, make sure you have towels on hand to give them a thorough cleaning, or remove the goods completely from the storage container.
Flammable or Toxic Materials
Almost all storage companies prohibit this category as well, and for good reason. It is not permitted to store anything that might release toxic gases or ignite a fire in a self-storage facility. It goes without saying that fireworks and other explosives are forbidden, but everyday household supplies like paint, propane, gasoline tanks, fertilizer, and automobile batteries are all prohibited. Similarly, avoid aerosols like hairspray cans, nail polish removers with acetone, and cleaning supplies like bleach. A storage container is most obviously not a well-ventilated environment, which is where hazardous chemicals should ideally be housed.
Weapons
In a similar risky vein, for security and safety reasons, weapons of any kind, including guns and ammunition, should not be kept in storage units. Weapons can easily end up in the wrong hands and the storage facility has the right to sell the contents of a unit at auction if rent is not paid on time—by as little as thirty days in some areas.
Irreplaceable or Valuable Items
Never save anything like childhood photo albums, the deed to your current house, or letters your grandfather wrote to your grandma while serving overseas. It can be unsettling to consider the possibility of a break-in or, worse, a building fire destroying everything you have stored. Original and significant documents, along with everything that cannot be copied or replaced, should always be stored with you or in a fireproof safe.
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