What you can (and can’t) store in a storage unit
Self-storage offers a great solution for individuals or businesses to store their belongings on a rental basis. Self-storage businesses use automated self storage software to streamline whole business operations and offer the best services to their valued customers. Everyone can get self-storage spaces on a short-term or long-term basis depending on your needs. Most of you need self-storage rental places when you’re moving, remodeling, or just want to place your stuff for the time being. There are a lot of items that you can safely put into storage units but there are also many things that you cannot place in these storage units due to their nature. It’s important to understand which certain items can be or not be stored in these units. In this guide we’ll discuss both items, let’s start.
The top 5 things you can’t store in self storage
First, we start with what you can’t store in self-storage, the reason is that prohibited things will be more interesting:
- Hazardous materials
If we make a list of hazardous materials that can be long, here is the sort rule: the hazardous items are those items that can catch fire or explode. The main prohibited items are dangerous materials such as combustible material, gasoline products, propane, grease, oil, aerosols, chemicals, and paint, etc.,
As per the Guardian report, there are more than 1500 self-storages in the UK and only one recent fire exposed how vulnerable customers are.
- Weapons and ammunition
The weapons, firearms, hand grenades, ammunition, and anything else are the prohibited items that you can place in self-storage units. Obviously, these can go off accidentally. These items are at the top of the prohibited items list that you can’t put in storage.
- Food & perishable items
The food and perishable items mostly confuse individuals or businesses when they are going to rent out the self-storage unit. Just any type of food such as meat, dairy products, pet food, canned goods, perishable items, etc. can’t be packed up to be stored in a storage unit, even if you can’t place these for the short term. Of course, non-perishable foods kept in airtight can be stored in a self- storage unit, with no problem.
- Live animals & pets
Live animals and pets are prohibited things that you can’t keep in self-storage. This looks illegal and can get you into a lot of trouble. The storage place is also dangerous for the animal. The reason is that these spaces are not like your garage or basement at home, these places are not for inanimate objects. The shortage of space, airflow, or ventilation can be a life threat for animals and pets. One more point is hereby to mention that self-storage is not a place for deceased animals.
- Illegal and stolen goods
If you have some illegal and stolen items, sorry to say that you do not have good luck keeping them in self-storage units. The modern self-storage units are well organised and well monitored and they have an automated self-storage system that deeply checks all items. If the storage unit’s vigilance staff found anything suspicious going on they could call the police for further investigation and you could be in big trouble.
Top 5 things you can store in self-storage
Under the 2nd heading, we’ll describe the top 5 most popular things that you can store in self-storage with complete peace of mind and satisfaction. Let’s talk about 5 most popular stored items in detail:
- Seasonal items
Self-storage units and seasonal items are made for each other. They go together like fish and chips. Some examples of seasonal items include Christmas decor, gear for camping different sized duvets. You can store your holiday decorations, winter jackets, swimsuits, etc., and rotate these items as per their requirements.
- Household goods
Self-storage units are designed for all household goods, they are acceptable for storage units. Household goods such as furniture, books, clothes, toys, bathroom items, and kitchen and office supplies, all can be placed in storage units. By putting these items in climate-controlled units (where temperature and humidity are regulated) you can keep your belongings in good condition.
- Commercial goods
Storage rentals offer a great solution for businesses to store their commercial goods. They can place their raw material, stock, and finished goods at affordable rent. This takes a lot of the stress out for all moves. Many services suppliers and finished goods manufacturers can safely store their products and ship them to their customers easily and earn business-money for their businesses.
- Electronics
As much as our lives rely on electronics, sometimes TVs, DVDs, stereo systems, speakers, gaming systems, digital devices, computers, printers, and other electronic items just need to be stored. You can place these things in self-storage locations easily but we recommend choosing a climate controlled storage unit for storing your precious electronics items.
- Appliances
Appliances such as freezers, microwaves, stoves, washers, dryers, toasters, coffee makers, vacuums, paper shredders, and others are acceptable in self-storage units. These appliances can be stored as long as they are wiped clean of debris and dried on drips prior to storage.
Final thoughts
Now you have a list of items that you can store in the self-storage unit and place their belongings on a short-term or long-term basis. Take care and store them properly and things will be ready for use whenever you need them. Be aware of storing prohibited items in self-storage units and prevent yourself from any legal issues.