Hey there. So you’ve got a storage unit. Maybe it’s packed to the ceiling, or maybe you’re just about to start filling it. Either way, let’s talk about what shouldn’t go in there.
I’m not a robot reading off a terms-of-service agreement. I’m a person who has seen the aftermath of some pretty bad storage decisions. Trust me, you don’t want to be the reason the fire department shows up, or worse, the reason someone else’s family photos get ruined.
This isn’t about rules for the sake of rules. It’s about common sense and not creating a nightmare for yourself and everyone around you.
Let’s break it down into simple categories.
The “This is Basically a Bomb” Category
This one is non-negotiable. If you store this stuff, you are risking everyone’s safety.
- Gasoline: That gas can for your lawnmower? It stays out. Gas fumes are heavier than air. They sink, pool, and can ignite from the smallest spark. Your unit becomes a bomb. Just don’t.
- Propane Tanks: Even the small ones for a camping stove. They have valves that can fail. A leaking propane tank in a sealed space is a disaster waiting to happen.
- Paint Thinner, Kerosene, Lighter Fluid: You see the pattern here. If it’s designed to start a fire or thin paint, it doesn’t belong in a storage unit. Ever.
- Fireworks: I shouldn’t have to say this, but I do. Do not store fireworks. They are literally designed to explode.
The “You Will Feed an Entire Ecosystem of Pests” Category
This is the most common mistake, and it’s a gross one.
- Food. Any food: A single box of pasta, a can of soup, a bag of dog food. It doesn’t matter. You are not just storing your things; you are opening an all-you-can-eat buffet for mice, rats, and cockroaches. They will chew through your boxes, your furniture, and your neighbor’s boxes to get to it. Then they’ll have babies. It’s a horrible mess that affects everyone.
- Anything Living or Once-Alive: No people. No pets. No plants. A storage unit is a dark, sealed box. A plant will die and rot. A person or animal will suffocate or overheat. It’s a tragic, unthinkable outcome that we must all work to prevent.
The “You Will Regret This Later” Category
These items won’t necessarily cause a catastrophe, but they will ruin your day and your stuff.
Wet or Damp Items:
That patio furniture you just hosed off? Those books from a damp basement? Dry them first. If you lock moisture inside a unit, you are building a mold factory. The smell will get into everything you own and will be impossible to remove. Your unit should be dry. Your stuff must be dry too.
Your Most Prized Possessions:
This is the personal advice part. We have great security at B&D Self Storage. We really do. But we are not a bank vault. Your grandmother’s original jewelry, the only copy of your wedding photos, your passport, and cash—these things should be kept with you in a safe at home. A storage unit is for things you can replace, like your Christmas decorations or that extra couch. It’s not for the truly irreplaceable things in your life.
Look, it’s pretty simple. If you look at something and think, “Could this start a fire? Could this attract bugs? Could this rot?” then the answer is probably yes, and it should stay out of your unit.
The Bottom Line
Our job at B&D Self Storage is to provide a clean, safe, and secure place for your stuff. Your job is to make sure what you’re storing doesn’t undermine that for everyone. It’s a partnership.
If you’re ever unsure about something, just ask us. We’d rather you ask a silly question than make a terrible mistake.
Now go pack your unit with peace of mind.
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