A storage unit can be a great aid during a move. Whether you’re dealing with a delayed move-in date, temporarily downsizing, or simply trying to reduce clutter before the moving companies in Hamilton, Indiana, arrive, storage units offer flexibility and convenience.
However, self-storage businesses have a few rules. Understanding them is key to keeping yourself and your belongings safe during the move. The first aspect to know about is what you shouldn’t be storing.
1. Perishable Food and Beverages
- Never Store: Fresh food, frozen goods, canned items that could spoil, beverages (especially in glass containers).
Food attracts pests like rodents and insects, damaging your stored food and everything else in the unit. Even packaged food can become a problem over time, especially in non-climate-controlled units. If it becomes spoiled, it can cause odors, mold, and contamination. It is best to donate unopened goods to a local food bank before packing up.
2. Plants and Living Things
- Never Store: Houseplants, flowers, animals, or anything living.
Storage units are not designed to support life. There is no sunlight, airflow, or proper temperature control. Even a short stay in storage can kill a plant, and animals should never be left in storage under any circumstances.
3. Hazardous or Flammable Materials
- Never Store: Paint, paint thinner, gasoline, propane tanks, fireworks, aerosol cans, pesticides, cleaning agents with strong chemicals, and anything labeled “flammable” or “corrosive.”
These materials are highly dangerous in enclosed spaces and are often prohibited by storage facility policies. They pose a fire risk and could leak, damaging your other belongings or nearby units.
4. Valuables and Important Documents
- Never Store: Cash, jewelry, passports, birth certificates, social security cards, financial documents, or anything irreplaceable.
While most storage units are secure, they are not immune to break-ins or natural disasters. Climate conditions can also damage delicate items like paper documents or old photographs, so keep valuables and sensitive documents with you or in a fireproof safe at your new home.
5. Electronics and Media (Without Climate Control)
- Never Store: TVs, computers, hard drives, gaming systems, vinyl records, and DVDs in non-climate-controlled units.
Electronics and media are sensitive to temperature fluctuations and humidity. High heat can melt plastic components, while moisture can cause corrosion or data loss. If you must store electronics, opt for a climate-controlled unit and pack them in original boxes with padding.
6. Wet or Damp Items
- Never Store: Wet clothing, towels, mops, or anything that has not fully dried.
Even slightly damp items can introduce moisture to your storage unit, leading to mold and mildew growth. This can ruin the item itself and spread to other belongings nearby.
7. Weapons and Ammunition
- Never Store: Firearms, ammunition, explosives, or knives (especially if not properly stored).
Many storage facilities explicitly prohibit the storage of weapons or ammunition due to safety concerns and legal liabilities.
8. Scented or Fragile Personal Items
- Never Store: Strongly scented items like candles, perfumes, or soaps, as well as delicate personal care products.
Scented items can attract pests, while extreme temperatures can cause them to melt, leak, or deteriorate. Fragile items may also suffer damage if not packed properly.
Move the Items You Can’t Store with Moving Companies in Hamilton, Indiana
When moving to a new home, renting a storage unit can be a smart way to keep your belongings safe and organized during the transition. However, not everything belongs in a storage unit. Putting the wrong items in storage can lead to damage, safety hazards, or even legal issues.
Following these guidelines will protect your belongings, comply with storage facility rules, and make your move smoother and safer from start to finish. If there’s something you can’t store and need help moving, Pink Zebra can help. Find a location near you and give us a call!