What can't I keep in my storage unit? It's a question we get asked all the time. While it’s easy to
want to put everything you own into storage during a move or downsizing, there
are some items that are not allowed. Some of these items are no-braniers, but
other items could easily slip through the crack and cause damage to your
belongings.
Here are some things
you should never keep in your storage unit.
Food
Food will attract ants, rats and
all sorts of pests to your storage unit. They will most likely chew their way
through all your belongings until they find the food. Also,
foods will rot, begin to smell, and grow mold and bacteria. These could cause
damage to your other belongings, and have a lasting smell in your storage unit.
Scented items
Similarly to food,
scented items could also be pest magnets and create lasting smells in your
unit. Items such as scented candles could not only attract pests, but also melt if
your storage unit becomes too hot. Our units are not climate controlled, so we do not recommended storing items that could be damaged by heat or cold.
Wet Items
Make sure anything you clean is
completely dry before putting it into storage. Even your umbrella from a rainy
day could grow mold and mildew when kept in storage for a long period of
time.
Flammable or Combustible
Items
Flammable or combustible items
that are stored are considered a fire hazard. If there is chance an item could possibly catch fire or explode, don’t put it in your storage
unit. Gas, propane, oil, chemicals, bleach, paint, paint thinner, liquor, acid,
lighter fluid, fireworks, aerosols, and nail polish remover are all examples of
some of these items.
Weapons
While there are some places
where weapons can be stored, it’s generally illegal to store firearms or
weapons in your storage unit. Guns and ammunition are examples of these types
of weapons. Make sure you know the local laws on what can and cannot be stored.
Living Things
Storage units are not for
plants, animals, or living things of any kind. Plants need sunlight to survive
and could also attract bugs to your unit, and for ethical reasons, you cannot
store animals. Finally, you cannot live or work out of a storage unit, it’s
illegal.
Check out our Storage FAQ page if you have any other question about our storage
units.