What To Store and What Not to Store? A Handy Guide for Proper Storage

People use storage units for a variety of reasons. Maybe you are moving and need a place to put your belongings while in between houses. You could be downsizing after your children moved out. If you are running out of space at your office, placing items in off-site storage can free up space so your employees move and work more easily. The reasons are many, but if you don’t follow a few rules-of-thumb, you may find that you end up with more damaged goods than you expected.

Make the most of your self-storage facility near San Mateo when you choose 5A Rent-A-Space. We offer a wide range of sizes to fit your needs. We also sell packing supplies, so you lessen the chance of damage to your fragile items. When you rent from 5A, we will even move your belongings with our free moving van.

What to Store in Your Unit and What to Avoid 

Determining what is suitable for your rental unit and what should be left out can be a little overwhelming. Here is a handy guide to help you:

These Items Are OK to Store: 

Seasonal Items – Do you have a closet full of decorations bulging out every time you try to hang up a jacket? Tucking them in a storage unit is a better idea. The same goes for your camping gear, sports gear, and even your lawnmower after it is drained of flammable fluids.

Household Goods – This is where storage rentals shine! Put away extra books, furniture, toys, clothing, linens, kitchen items, and office supplies. You can take out what you need when you need it and know everything is nice and tidy in your unit.

Business Goods and Furniture – Consider utilizing off-site storage to stow away extra office chairs, desks, and unused filing cabinets. You might be able to place some of your inventory in there as well – be sure it is not perishable, living, or hazardous.

Electronics – A storage rental is not always the best place for electronics unless it is in a climate-controlled facility. However, if you need to store your TV, DVD player, and stereo for a short time, it may be worth it. A storage unit inside a building or hallway often escapes extreme temperature changes and is a safer bet for electronics.

Appliances – You can store appliances as long as you ensure they are wiped clean and dry. You also do not want to have one plugged in while it is in your unit. Types of appliances include refrigerators, stoves, microwaves, washers, dryers, freezers, toasters, coffee makers, vacuums, and paper shredders. Clean appliances can have other things stored inside them, as long as it’s not perishable.  In fact, it’s a good idea to prop doors and lids of appliances open so they won’t mold. 

 

These Items Are Not OK to Put into Storage:

Hazardous Materials – This category includes flammable items such as gasoline, propane, oil, grease, chemicals, cleaners, paint, fireworks, and explosives. Also, remember that toxic materials like fertilizer, asbestos, biological waste, and anything radioactive, are not allowed. Finally, any illegal substance should not be on the premises.

Unregistered Vehicles – Not all self-storage facilities near San Mateo allow vehicle storage, but for the ones that do, they must be registered, insured, and operable. Additionally, they must be registered to the person renting the space. This includes boats, RVs, trailers, motorcycles, cars, and trucks. Fuels must be drained and all batteries disconnected and removed.

Weapons – It is against the law to store your guns and ammunition at a storage facility. If you need a place to tuck your handguns, rifles, or shotguns, a local gun store is a better option. You can even get them serviced at the same time. A locked gun vault at home is also a good option.

Living Things – A storage unit is not the best place to put your pet gerbil or houseplants. Humans should not be residing in a unit either. If you are trying to consider if you can put your cockatoo in your rental space, remember that anything that requires light, food, or water is not allowed in storage.

Perishables – We all like to eat, including mice, rats, and bugs. That is why food and other perishables are not to be tucked away in your storage space. That box of stale cereal you tossed in is like putting up an “Eat at Joe’s” sign inviting all types of vermin that can also wreak havoc on your stored items and your neighbor’s.

Storage Solutions Made Easy with 5A Rent-A-Space 

Utilizing a self-storage space efficiently begins with knowing what you can and cannot place in your unit. Reach out to your 5A Rent-A-Space team with any questions. We are glad to help you make the most of your self-storage facility near San Mateo. Call us today to learn more!

Reserve your self-storage unit online now. Call us at 5A Rent-A-Space at 650-338-0016 or toll-free at 1-800-5ASPACE (1-800-527-7223) to learn more. Not sure how much space you will need? Use our online Space Calculator to estimate the best unit size for you. You can even rent on line at our website 5aspace.com