What Not to Place in a Storage Rental Facility

If you’ve just rented out a storage unit, chances are you’re thinking of putting EVERYTHING inside. Whether it’s to keep your stuff safe between moves, or it’s a space to hold your belongings until there’s more place at home, there are a few things that are not allowed to be put in storage, and some things that are but shouldn’t.

• Valuable items

Unfortunately, all the insurance in the world won’t be able to replace your grandmother’s engagement ring or the antique coffee table your grandfather built as a young carpenter. Imagine if you stored these items only to return to find them missing. These valuable items should not be stored in a unit but kept in a safe place until it’s safe to secure them at home or somewhere secure like a safety deposit box. A reliable moving company will advise you on the best methods and will also ensure that any valuables are properly packaged using the correct materials.

A few storage facilities do not permit valuable items being stored unless there’s proof of individual insurance.

This goes without saying but important documents (tax, passports and social security) need to be kept in a fire-safe box.

• Plants

If you have a bit of a green thumb and are quite proud of the greenery you’ve nurtured, then storing your plants in a place without oxygen or light will be heartbreaking. Your storage unit is not a greenhouse, your plants will die and attract bugs in the process, which may well cause damage to your other items. Your moving company will rather ensure your plants are transported safely to their new location. If you don’t have space in your home, find a friend to look after them for you. Keeping plants locked in a dark and stuffy garage will not work.

• Flammable or combustible materials

Leave the fireworks, oil, and paint out of the storage unit. These can easily ignite and burn down your unit and everything inside it, not to mention any neighbouring units. No flammables.

Remember to drain the fluids from lawn mowers and other outdoor equipment before moving them storage. Also, aerosols cans can be dangerously flammable and are not allowed in your self-storage unit.

Do not store chemicals, fertilizers and every day cleaning products in self-storage. These items can be hazardous under extreme temperatures.

Now that you have an idea of what NOT to store, you also need to make sure that your unit is well-organised for when you wish to retrieve items.

• Use industrial plastic wrap
• Label all boxes to make unpacking easy
• Pretend you’re playing a live-action version of Tetris and pack all boxes neatly
• If you can, dismantle furniture to maximise space

Most moving companies offer a pre-packing service and they’ll have the knowledge and experience to ensure smart packing.

The Moving Man offers pre-packaging/unpacking and set up services if required. Contact us today.