Storage restrictions

Self-storage is a great solution when you’re moving, renovating, or just otherwise in need of a place to put some of your stuff. And while there are a lot of things that you can safely put into storage, there are also items that you can’t put in a storage unit—and it’s important to know what they are so that you can make alternate plans.

If you’re planning on renting a storage unit, make sure that you’re familiar with what you can and can’t store in it so that you don’t face any inconvenient surprises later on. Most of these probably won’t surprise you, but here are the some things that you can’t put in a storage unit.

What you can’t put in a storage unit

As a rule, if you can’t afford to lose it, you probably shouldn’t be putting it in your storage unit. Much of the time your belongings will be just fine and there’s nothing to worry about, but self storage always come with a risk – albeit a small one – that items will get damaged or lost. To be safe, find an alternative way to house art, jewellery, family heirlooms, and other valuable items that you don’t want to take any chances with. 

Here’s what to know about each of the items on this list, including the reasoning behind why they’re considered self storage no-gos.

Food

Perishable food items are magnets for attracting pests, mold, and mildew, and even in climate controlled unit they’re not going to stay fresh for very long. Even shelf stable items can be tricky, since some may bring in rodents and bugs while others, like canned foods, are at risk of combustion.

Hazardous materials

If an item is toxic, flammable, or combustible, then you’re not going to be able to keep it in a storage unit. This includes:

Even some household cleaners may fall on this list if they’re particularly toxic or dangerous.

Moving companies won’t take these items either, so if you’re relocating, make sure to properly dispose of your hazardous items on your own ahead of moving day.

Stolen and illegal goods

If you’re in possession of stolen property or illegal goods, you’re not going to have any luck keeping it in your storage unit. Not only are self-storage facilities well-monitored, but their employees are also liable to call the police if they suspect that there’s something suspicious going on.

Weapons and ammunition

Firearms, ammunition, and other weaponry—think hand grenades, flame throwers, and anything else you wouldn’t want going off accidentally—are almost always on the list of items you can’t put in a storage unit. That’s because there are a lot of liability issues involved on the part of the facility, plus the obvious safety issues.

Living and dead items

It probably goes without saying that, alive or dead, people and animals cannot be kept in storage units. This rule also extends to other living or dead things, including plants and flowers.

Wet items

You can store items that are intended to get wet (kayaks, surfboards, scuba gear, and so on), but they’re going to need to be dry before you shut the door. That’s because wet items tend to grow mould and mildew in dark, closed-off spaces, which is exactly what your storage unit is. Aside from being gross to come back to later on, this will also potentially ruin your stuff, so it’s worth taking the time to ensure that all of your belongings are fully dry before you stick them into storage.

Priceless and irreplaceable items

If you can’t live without it, it shouldn’t go in your storage unit—period. While it’s not a matter of safety or liability, there are always some risks taken when you put an item in storage, including the possibility that you’ll face some sort of hardship later on that will lead to your belongings being sold at auction. Likewise, while it’s very unlikely, unfortunate events could also take place on the premises that destroy your items, such as a fire, flooding, or robbery.  If it’s truly irreplaceable to you, you’re better off keeping it nearby.

Money

If you have cash or other types of currency to store, opt for a bank deposit time instead of stashing it away in a self-storage unit. This is for the same reasons as above, as well as the fact that you’ll simply have more protection for these items in a bank than you would through a storage facility.

Furs

Fur clothing requires very specific climate conditions in order to be properly preserved, including strict requirements around temperature and light. As such, many storage companies put furs on the list of items you can’t put in a storage unit. If you need to store fur, look for a specialty storage provider instead, since they can ensure that the right conditions will be met.

Tyres

Tyres often find themselves on the banned list of storage items, and for two goods reasons: one, tire fires are no joke, and two, if the storage company gets stuck dealing with left behind tires they face steep disposal fees. That being said, you can keep the four tyres on a vehicle that you are storing, but no more than that.