Things You Should NOT Put in a Self Storage Unit

Self storage is great for personal and business storage. Items such as appliances, furniture, business documents and inventory, family heirlooms, seasonal items and pharmaceutical supplies can all be stored in your unit, keeping your home or office clutter free. National Storage have a variety of storage unit sizes for all your storage needs.  Our variety of storage unit sizes allows the ability to store a variety of items, even up to boats and RVs and construction equipment.

However, there are some things you should not put in a self storage unit.  Each storage facility will have a list of “banned” items. Make sure that you follow that list and read your contract at the time of rental. Placing any of the items that are on the banned list could get you fined or even arrested. Before you rent a storage unit, make sure that you know about what items should not be stored your unit. This list will help you protect your personal belongings as well as protect those around you.

Short on time? Check out this quick video on the items you should not put in your storage unit!

Valuable Items– Items such as jewelry, coins (historical and collectible) and precious metals should not be stored in a self storage unit. It’s better to keep these items safely in your home or at your bank  in a safe deposit box.  A few storage facilities will allow rental of these items, but they require proof of individual insurance on the items.  Don’t store cash, either- your unit is not a bank vault or safety deposit box. Also, keep passports, social security and tax documents in a fire-safe box in your home, not your self storage unit.

Plants and Living Items- Your storage unit is not a greenhouse, and plants cannot survive in an environment without oxygen or light. Storing them in your self storage unit is prohibited. Obviously, self storage is not a place to store animals or pets. Not only is this strictly prohibited, but it risks the life of the animal.  Plants and animals that are stored in self storage will also lead to bugs and other vermin infestation. On the same note, your self storage unit is not an “apartment”- and yes, sometimes people have tried to turn their unit into a living space. Obviously this is not allowed.

Perishable Items– Do not store food in your self storage unit. In the extreme conditions of a non-climate controlled storage unit, food can spoil quickly and invite unwanted bugs to your storage unit. Opened containers of spices, cereals and other non-perishable items should not be stored in self storage. Some canned items can survive in the extreme conditions, but it really isn’t advisable to store them in a self storage unit.

Flammable or Combustible Materials-Do not store fireworks, gas, oil or paint and paint thinner in self storage. Gasoline or propane can very easily ignite in an enclosed unit and put the entire facility at risk. That is why it is important to drain the fluids from lawn mowers and other outdoor equipment before putting them in self storage. Also, any item in an aerosol can is extremely flammable and not allowed in your self storage unit.

Toxic, Hazardous, Stolen or Illegal Substances- Do not store chemicals, fertilizers and every day cleaning products in self storage. These items are very toxic and dangerous in extreme temperatures. They could cause a fire or chemical accident in your unit and the surrounding storage units. Some storage facilities also will not allow the storage of firearms and ammunition. Even if the firearms are antique and no longer in working order, they could pose a dangerous threat. It should also go without saying that you should not store illegal or stolen items in your unit.  Self storage facilities are subject to searches, so illegal items will not be any safer there than they would be in your home. Check with your storage facility before you store to make sure you are storing items properly and are not storing a “banned” item. Stop in to any of our 34 National Storage locations to find out more information.

P.S. Don’t forget to vote!!

Just a reminder that Pogoda Companies, the management company for all of the National Storage locations, is up for three awards this year in the ISS Best of Business Reader Choice Awards!  Last year, we won the Best Customer Service award and we are up for that award again this year, along with Best Real Estate Brokerage and Best Third-Party Management.  These awards mean a lot to us, as our mission statement is based on providing our customers and potential customers with the best self storage rental experience possible. We employ only the best highly-trained professionals throughout our Michigan and Ohio locations, and our knowledgeable staff is always ready and willing to meet your self storage needs.

Please click on the “vote here” button below to vote for Pogoda Companies!  To vote, you’ll be prompted to simply enter your email address, and then search for our categories. Or, you can type “Pogoda Cos” into the search bar to cast your votes. Once again, the categories we are up for include:

Best Customer Service

Best Real Estate Brokerage

Best Third-Party Management

ISS Best of Business vote button From all of us at National Storage, we thank you for taking the time to vote!  We look forward to continuing to offer the best service possible to all our customers, new or old!

More From National Storage

Find a Unit Right for You Today!

Rent or Reserve Now