Nearly all storage companies will have restrictions on what they will allow you to store on their premises. These restrictions are to protect both the storage company and the items being stored. Storage companies will vary in what they allow so just because one storage company does not allow you to store expensive jewelry for example, this does not mean that you will not find a storage company that will allow you to store these items.
When you visit or phone the storage company for the first time, ask them what items they do not allow. Generally they will have a published list that you can take home with you to review. The list of items a storage company will not allow you to store is very often similar to the list of items a moving company will not transport for you.
Read this section before doing your own packing and loading so that you do not arrive at the warehouse and find out you are not allowed to store some or all of the items you have carefully packed. It is important that you understand which items you can and cannot store. There are also items you should not pack yourself and you may need a professional packing company.
The following list serves as a guide only on what not to put in to storage. If you have any specific questions contact your storage facility directly.
It makes sense that the storage company does not want items in storage that can potentially combust or explode and destroy everything in the warehouse.
Flammable, corrosive or explosive items including:
Acid / Gasoline Poisons / Charcoal / Lighter Fluid
Fertilizer / Paints / Car Batteries / Matches
Nail Polish & Remover / Ammunition / Liquid Bleach / Stern
Aerosols / Kerosene / Pool Chemicals / Chemistry Sets
Fireworks / Pesticides / Motor Oil / Paint Thinner
Batteries / Loaded Weapons / Weed Killer / Ammonia
Lamp Oil / Propane Tanks / Cleaning Fluid
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Perishables such as food - There are specialized warehouses that store perishable food items for short periods of time in conditioned storage however warehouses that store personal belongings will not allow this.
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Plants – Plants are notorious for not traveling very well and often die in transit .Plants also do not survive well when moved from one location to another and are thus not generally stored. Some plants also attract pest such as insects so most storage facilities will not allow them to be stored on site. Contact the department of agriculture before moving any plants across state lines as many states have rules and regulations that prohibit the entry of plants.
High Value Ordinary Value Items - It is not advisable to store items of extra ordinary value in a storage facility unless the facility specializes in storing these items. For example furs may be stored in cold dark fur vaults during the summer months and jewelry can be stored in safety deposit boxes or safes in banks. Items over $100.00 per pound per article are generally defined as high value items value items. Your specific storage company may have a different definition of high value so be sure to ask.
Examples may include:
Antiques / Crystal / Precious Stones or Gems
Art Collections / Currency / Silver and Silverware
Cameras / Figurines / Video Cameras
Computer Software / Furs
Coin Collection / Oriental Rugs
Firearms– Generally
storage companies will not allow you to store guns or ammunition. There are some facilities that will allow you to store these items however you will be required to follow strict security guidelines.