Items you shouldn’t put in storage

Storage can be very useful when you’re moving your home. In some cases, finding cheap storage solutions can make the difference between a successful and a failed relocation. However, even the best warehousing and locker options have some limitations. There are some items you shouldn’t put in storage because of law and safety reasons. Check out our guide and learn which belongings you can store and which you definitely shouldn’t.

Items you shouldn’t put in storage units

So, after you learn all you need to know when packing for storage it’s time to get your items ready! However, before you start stacking your storage unit, you’ll need to make sure that all of your belongings are safe. This will require some research, some preparation and a lot of sorting. But, hopefully, once you finish all of that, you’ll have a batch to things ready for any storage!

Organic items

The first type of items you shouldn’t put in storage is organic items such as food or plants. If you leave anything that can go bad in your storage unit, you’re in for a smelly surprise next time you visit your unit. So, if you’re planning on storing your fridge, make sure you empty it completely. You can also clean it, to be on the safe side. Also, avoid storing anything that can go bad quickly (in less than a year). These items can endanger the other items in your storage. Be very careful because even climate-controlled storage units won’t be able to prolong the lifespan of organic items for long.

Firearms

Another thing you definitely shouldn’t put in storage is your weapon. In some states, it’s even illegal to do it, but in those that allow it, your guns are still among the items you shouldn’t put in storage. If you’re not sure what the guns laws are in your state, make sure you check them online. But, in the meantime, don’t put your firearms in storage! This is because people can take firearms registered to you from your storage and abuse them. Even though storage units are secure, keeping something as dangerous as a firearm in them is not a good idea.

Vehicles

It’s not illegal to put your car in storage, but it is illegal to do it if your gas tank is full. So, if you’re looking to keep your car or your bike in a storage unit, make sure you empty the gas tank first. This will make your storage unit a lot safer and it will prevent anyone from driving off with your car or bike. Finally, you should cover your vehicle with something before you put it in a storage unit. This will greatly increase its lifespan.

Hazardous materials

The last batch of items you should definitely avoid putting in a storage unit is hazardous materials. Anything that we consider flammable, volatile or poisonous to inhale falls within this category. So, if don’t want to break any laws or risk your personal safety, you’ll need to avoid storing:

• Chemicals – they have fumes which are often corrosive and very harmful to inhale. In addition to this, they can act unpredictably when they’re in the same container for a long time, especially in a room which has low airflow. The last thing you’ll want when you open your unit is to get knocked unconscious by a wave of chemical fumes. Thus, these are some items you shouldn’t put in storage.
• Gasoline– petrol, gas or oil. You should avoid storing anything as flammable as these liquids. Most storage companies won’t even allow you to put containers of gasoline in their units. So, if you’re planning to relocate your supply of gas, you’ll need to figure out a different solution.
• Fertilizer– because of its various applications in making bombs and its generally unpleasant smell, you won’t be allowed to store fertilizer.
• Pathogens– you can’t put any forms of bacteria, viruses or bodily fluids samples in storage. Now, we assume that no sane person will try to store a batch of diseases, but keeping your own blood samples in storage is very dangerous as well. Apart from the fact that this is an extremely improper way to keep samples, you can also endanger the safety of anyone opening your unit, including yourself.

Keep them in your home?

In addition to this, you won’t be able to use in-house storage solutions for these items. At least not without risking your own safety. So, if you really need to store them so badly, contact the specialists. They will give you information about how to safely store these hazardous items. Also, they’ll offer you special storage solutions for them. Just make sure that the specialists are recognized by the state!

Items you’re allowed to store but shouldn’t

Finally, there are some belongings you can freely store but you shouldn’t. These items are usually very sensitive or expensive and even though they’re not illegal or dangerous to put in storage, you should still avoid doing it. The first among these are electronics. Storing your electronics is a bad idea because they’re very vulnerable to dust damage. So, unless you know how to pack your IT equipment like a pro, you should not put it in storage. In addition to your electronics, your art and antiques are items you shouldn’t put in storage even though it’s not dangerous or illegal. These items can get damaged easily unless they’re in the perfect conditions. So, if you need to store them, make sure you rent a climate controlled storage unit.