A lot of people rent a storage unit to store their belongings, often without paying any consideration to what they can actually put in there. An empty storage container feels like a blank canvas, ready for whatever you’re going to put in it, and for the most part it is. Household furniture, business stock, tools, paperwork, sports gear, the contents of an entire house move. All absolutely fine.

But there are some things that can’t go into storage, and a few more that need a bit of thought first. Knowing the rules before moving day saves you an awkward conversation and a repacked van, so here’s a straightforward guide.

The definite no’s

Some items are off limits in any self storage facility, ours included. Most of these will feel like common sense once you see them written down.

Anything flammable or explosive tops the list. That means petrol, diesel, gas bottles, paraffin, fireworks, and paint thinners. It also catches a few things people don’t immediately think of, like aerosols in bulk and certain cleaning chemicals. If you’re a tradesperson storing tools and equipment with us, this is the one to watch. The tools themselves are welcome, but fuel cans and gas cylinders need to be emptied or left out.

Perishable food is another one. Anything that can rot, leak or attract pests has no place in a storage unit, and that includes pet food and animal feed. One forgotten bag of anything edible can cause problems well beyond your own container.

Living things are out too, which covers animals of any kind and plants. It may sound obvious, but it comes up more often than you’d think.

And finally, anything illegal or unregistered. Storage units cannot be used for stolen goods, unlicensed firearms, drugs, or anything else that would interest the authorities. Facilities cooperate fully with the police, and it’s simply not worth it.

Things you can store, but shouldn’t

There’s a second category of items that aren’t banned as such, but that we’d advise you to think twice about, mainly because of insurance.

It’s a condition of storing with us that your property is insured for its full value, and we can arrange cover for you when you book. But like all storage insurance, there are exclusions and limits. Money, deeds and documents of value aren’t covered at all. Jewellery, watches and precious stones are only covered up to a modest combined limit, and there are caps on things like electronics and fine art too.

The practical advice is simple. Irreplaceable or very high value items, like cash, important original documents, family heirlooms and expensive jewellery, are better kept in a safe at home or with your bank. Storage is brilliant for the bulky, the seasonal and the practical. It’s the wrong home for the truly precious.

What about vehicles and machinery?

Here’s where drive-up container storage comes into its own. Cars, motorbikes, jet skis, ride-on mowers and trailers can all be stored with us, and our 20ft and 40ft units are sized with exactly this in mind. A 40ft unit will take two cars end to end.

The main condition is the same one as above. No fuel storage beyond what’s in the vehicle’s tank, and it’s sensible to run the tank low before storing for a long stretch. Disconnect the battery if the vehicle will be sitting for months, and you’ll thank yourself when it’s time to bring it back out.

Grey areas worth asking about

A few items sit in between, and the answer depends on the specifics.

Paint and household chemicals in small quantities are generally fine if they’re sealed and stored upright, but large amounts of anything solvent-based edge into flammable territory. Tyres are usually fine in small numbers but some facilities limit bulk storage. And appliances like fridges and freezers are welcome, as long as they’ve been defrosted, drained and dried out first, ideally with the door propped open to stop odours building up.

The golden rule for anything you’re unsure about is to just ask. Our team has heard every question going, and a thirty second phone call is easier than finding out at the gate.

Keeping it simple

If you strip all of this back, the rules amount to a short list. Nothing flammable, nothing perishable, nothing living, nothing illegal, and think carefully before storing anything you couldn’t bear to lose or that insurance won’t cover. Everything else, from the contents of a three bed house to a van’s worth of trade equipment to the family caravan, is exactly what our containers are there for.

If you’re planning a move, clearing space at home, or looking for somewhere to keep stock and equipment for your business, we’ve got sites across North Wales, Shropshire, Cheshire and the North West, all with 24/7 drive-up access. Give us a call on 0808 100 1292 or find your nearest site, and if you’ve got a question about a specific item, just ask our friendly team.