If this is your first time renting a self-storage unit, you may not realize that there are some very common items that have to either be prepped before storing, or that simply aren’t allowed. Assuming that you can guess the rules about what you should and should not store, or even what is prohibited could turn out to be both a costly and dangerous mistake because not everything is as obvious as you would think. After all, if you can store an item in your garage, why wouldn’t you be able to store them in your rental unit, right? Wrong. Of course, you will want to check your particular storage facility’s rules, but there are a few general guidelines you can expect no matter where you rent.
The following items are always going to be a no-go:
- ANY unlawful item
- Medical waste
- Garbage
- Perishable food
- Chemicals/Gasoline/Pesticides
- Acid and other corrosive chemicals
- Fireworks and explosives
- Gas powered small engines that still contain the fuel and oil
- Marijuana, and other drugs or controlled substances
- Dead bodies (just seeing if you’re paying attention!) Any body is prohibited- meaning no man-caves. Sorry guys.
Most of these items will be found by management. Depending on the level of security of your storage facility, they are sometimes discovered as quickly as the same day of move in. So don’t take any chances. Not only are these items a danger to your own storage unit and the belongings in it, they are a danger to the other tenants. Management will have no choice but to cancel your contract, and they may even be forced to call law enforcement.
Other than the items listed above, you can store pretty much everything else. Keep in mind, though, the floors in storage units are concrete. If your unit is not climate controlled, condensation will collect in humidity, leading to mold if left for long periods of time. Extreme hot or cold temperatures can permanently damage or even destroy your precious belongings. Which is why it is recommended that certain items be stored only in climate-controlled units.
These things should always be stored in a climate controlled unit:
- Antique furniture
- Leather furniture
- Mattresses and bedding
- Candles
- Electronics
- Shoes and clothing
- CDs and vinyl records
- Musical Instruments
- Artwork
- Photographs
- Important documents
- Family heirlooms
- Collectibles like baseball cards or comic books
- Makeup and toiletries
If there is ever any doubt about whether an item will be safe in a non-climate controlled unit, err on the side of caution. The last thing you want is to open your boxes and find your irreplaceable family photos stuck together, a damp prized baseball card collection, or mold on your mother’s wedding dress. Sixty5 Storage units are 100% indoor and climate controlled. You won’t have to worry about the unpredictable Ozarks weather, your things will be just as safe as if they were in your very own home!