Things You Should Never Put in a Storage Unit

No matter how spacious your home is, you will always need some extra space to accommodate items that you won’t be using on a daily basis. A storage unit can be considered as a spare room where you can put items that you don’t need at the moment, but you might need at some point. When renting a storage unit, you should be informed about the restrictions on what you can and cannot store. Although you are paying for the storage area, you cannot store whatever you want. Here is the list of things you should never put in a storage unit.

Follow the storing policies and regulations

Having in mind the safety of the entire storage facility and staff, each company has their own regulations and policies customers should comply with. Storage Brooklyn usually clearly specifies which items are not permitted for safety reasons. Should you disobey or fail to cooperate, you will be responsible for any potential damage or inconvenience that may occur. If you go through the list of non-allowables, you will realize that some of the items are prohibited for very obvious reasons. Also, keep in mind that the list of non-allowables may vary depending on the local regulations.

So, if you plan on storing your belongings any time soon, we recommend that you stay with us and read on.

List of storage non-allowables

Animals

No matter how unbelievable this may sound, it should be noted that similar cases already happened, which is why we cannot stress enough how important it is to take good care of your pet even if you don’t want it or can’t keep it any more. Leave your pet with a friend or any other trustworthy person, not in a storage facility!

Plants

If your new place cannot accommodate your gorgeous plants, you shouldn’t give up on them so easily. Instead of leaving them in the dark storage, you can give them away and let someone else take care of them. Bear in mind that storage units don’t have sufficient ventilation for any being to survive.

Perishables

Putting perishable items like food into the storage area would be reckless and unacceptable. Everybody knows that food attracts insects and rodents, so you are consciously putting the entire storage facility at risk by storing perishables.

Hazardous and combustible

Those materials can cause serious damage and health issues to the exposed staff, which is why the fo and similar items are strongly prohibited.

• chemicals
• gas
• toxic materials
• flammable substances
• fuel
• fertilizers
• paint
• cleaning supplies
• petroleum
• medical waste

Illegal medicine and drugs

Illegal medicine and drugs are prohibited not only in the storage area but also in general.

Weapons and explosives

Weapons and explosives are under no circumstances allowed in self-storage, otherwise, you may be held responsible for any potential damage if something goes wrong.

Jewelry and money

Money and jewelry are not supposed to be kept in a storage unit. Instead, your valuables will be better off in a safe deposit box at your bank.

Documents

Important documents, contracts, passports, certificates, etc. – Storing your high school diploma might not be the best choice. All of your important documents should be within your hand reach, and not in a storage unit. The risk of burglary is small but it is not zero.

Unregistered vehicles

Unregistered cars, boats or motorcycles shouldn’t be placed into storage. Licensed, registered and operating vehicles are permitted, although you are responsible for any kind of damage it may cause to the storage unit, people and other tenants’ goods.

Dirty items

Wet or dirty items will cause the growth of mold and mildew, so it is strongly recommended to store clean and dry household goods.

Storing items in a climate-controlled storage unit

There are also items that should not be stored in regular storage units for too long because they would get damaged. Due to conditions in the unit, your delicate items may not respond well and can change. These items include antique items, paintings, musical instruments, books, etc. This is why it is better to store them inside a climate-controlled storage unit and avoid the mildew, humidity, and temperature lows and highs.

You should not store items you won`t ever use again

We have seen an extensive list of items that you are not allowed to store in a storage facility. But you should also know that storing items just because you are too sorry to throw them away is just going to cost you money. Before you rent a storage unit go through your stuff carefully. Here is what you should do with your items before you decide that storing is the only option:

Donate

Clothes that are too large or too small will not be going to be of any service to you. Donate clothes to a local charity along with furniture, books, toys, or any other item you have outgrown physically and mentally.

Give them to your friends and family

Another excellent way to get rid of items instead of storing them is to give them to your closest ones. They will be happy to have something of yours that you don`t need.

Throw them away

If something is broken, too old, and non-functional storing it will not fix it. Although some items have sentimental value, we promise that you will never regret getting rid of an item that has no purpose anymore.

Avoid storing prohibited items by creating an inventory list

It is easy to pack something that you should never put in a storage unit. In order to avoid this, create an inventory list of all the items you will be storing. This will help you spot any unwanted items pretty easily. You can double-check the list by giving it to your family members to read it as well.

Make sure you have the proper coverage in case of accidents

Now that you have determined what can and cannot be stored, it’s time to look for proper type of insurance for your goods. Self-storage managers are responsible for the safety of the site, but they are not to be held responsible for your personal belongings. Getting proper coverage for your items will protect them while in storage and give you peace of mind. Also, make sure you have an inventory list of all stored items and all boxes labeled according to the content. There are a lot of moving home inventory apps to help you sort and organize your items when packing.

Remember to hire professional movers for your needs

Choosing a professional moving company will go a long way when it comes to a pleasant moving experience. They will store the items for you safely, so you will avoid any possible moving injuries. Good luck!