When moving house, you may have to downsize and find it impossible to fit your favorite big sofa or grandma’s antique dresser in a new home. Some items you love from your current home may not go well with a new style. So, you’ll have to let go of some things.
While decluttering and getting rid of unnecessary things before a move is a must, there may be some belongings you don’t want to say goodbye to. But, you just can’t seem to bring them with you.
Fortunately, it is possible to lease a storage facility and ensure the safety of your belongings for an indefinite period. Nevertheless, it is imperative to acknowledge that certain items are prohibited from being stored in such units, either due to legal restrictions or for their own preservation. It is crucial to be aware of the items that must never be placed in a storage unit.
What to know Before Renting a Storage Unit
Like any other rental lease, there are some policies and regulations about what you can keep inside and what to avoid putting in a storage unit. If you fail to follow those policies, you may be responsible for any damage that happens. That’s something you definitely want to avoid.
Conversely, certain items may not be explicitly prohibited, however, it is not recommended to store them within a storage facility. Electronics and leather goods, for instance, are highly susceptible to damage caused by fluctuations in temperature and humidity. Consequently, storing such items within a storage unit would likely result in their deterioration.
You can also go for a climate-controlled unit for sensitive items because these types of storages are designed to keep fresh air flow, optimum temperature, and humidity levels, and they’re usually secured well. Compared to traditional storage units, these climate-controlled ones will keep your items in their best shape. Look around for different types of storage solutions. If you’re wondering what not to store away, here’s a list of 9 things you should never put in a storage unit.
Things You Should Never Put in a Storage Unit
One-of-a-kind Items
If you choose a storage unit with temperature control, it will likely be safe and secure for your things. But, it’s not a good idea to keep very valuable or irreplaceable items there. These could be things like jewelry, money, personal papers, and family heirlooms. Even photos can get damaged if they’re not kept in the right conditions.
Jewelry materials can corrode, so if you have to store something sentimental, only go for a climate-controlled unit. Anything of extreme importance to you (either sentimental or monetary) should be kept in a safety deposit box in a bank or some type of safe in your house.
Unregistered Vehicles
Whether you want to keep your car, truck, boat, trailer, or RV in a storage unit, you should make sure it’s registered and has proper storage insurance. It’s should also be in working order. Never put an unregistered vehicle in storage.
Food and Perishables
Before you move, use up as much food as you can and don’t plan to use any food on moving day. Don’t store food in your storage unit because it can attract bugs and rodents. This can damage not only your unit but also other units.
Besides, food can also cause unpleasant odor and allow bacteria growth, so never keep it in a storage unit. If you have too much food left and you can’t move it, consider donating to charity – you’ll get rid of it and you’ll greatly help people in need.
Antique Furniture
It is advisable to refrain from storing antique furniture in a storage unit due to its delicate nature, which renders it susceptible to damage from extreme temperatures. The loss of such a precious item would be regrettable. However, if it is necessary to store antique furniture, it is recommended to rent a climate-controlled unit that is specifically designed to maintain optimum conditions, including temperature control and fresh air inflow, in order to preserve its condition.
Animals
This is pretty much obvious − you should never leave your pet or any other animal in a storage unit. Regardless of the reason you have to keep an animal safe for a while, storage units are not the place to do so. If you need your pet to be looked after while you’re moving, consider pet hotels or ask a friend or a family member to help you out for the day.
Plants
Do you plan to move your plants? Plants need conditions to survive, including fresh air, water, and sunshine, and storage units can’t provide all three. Plus, plants can attract unwanted guests like pests or insects, causing many problems for a storage unit. If you’re not able to take the plant with you when moving, consider gifting it to a friend or even posting it online for sale.
Wet Items
Whatever type of storage you choose, always make sure they’re completely dry. If there’s moisture inside the storage unit, it will allow for mildew and bacteria growth, damaging your possessions inside the unit.
Hazardous Items
It is strictly prohibited to store hazardous materials within a storage unit. Any substance that is corrosive, flammable, or has the potential to explode poses a significant risk and should be kept away from the storage unit. This encompasses items such as fireworks, chemicals, acids, fuels, pesticides, gases, medical waste, and other similar materials.
Different moving companies in New York have their different forbidden items list. Always ask them to provide a list to you so you would be absolutely sure about what not to keep in your storage unit.
Illegal Items
This is a pretty wide field, but in general, anything that’s against law shouldn’t be kept in a storage unit. For example, it’s just not safe keeping guns or weapons in public storage. They can get into the wrong hands or even go off by accident.
In order to ensure compliance with the law, it is advisable to verify the legality of an item prior to its storage. Failure to do so may result in reporting to the authorities. Additionally, it is imperative to note that certain legal items, such as cannabis, are strictly prohibited from being kept in public units.
While many countries have legalized the use of cannabis, you should never keep it in storage. Storing or growing cannabis in storage units is prohibited.
Hopefully, our list will help you learn what not to keep in storage and find other ways to keep your things safe. If you need a storage in New York, check out Big Apple movers. We’re at your service, contact us anytime to receive a free Brooklyn moving quote or moving price.