What NOT to Store in a Storage Unit (And What People Forget All the Time)

Storage units are brilliant for clearing space, moving house, renovating, or running a small business. But they’re not a “put anything in here and future-me will deal with it” portal.

Some items are unsafe, some are illegal to store, and some are simply a bad idea because they’ll leak, rot, attract pests, or turn into a mouldy regret.

Below is a practical, real-world list of what you should not store in a storage unit, plus the common items people forget about until it’s too late.

1) Food (including pet food)

Even sealed food can attract pests, and humidity can turn a “quick stash” into a science experiment.

Avoid storing:

• canned goods and boxed food

• pantry staples (flour, rice, cereal)

• pet food and treats

• bird seed and livestock feed

Better option: donate unopened items, or keep them in your home pantry where they can be rotated and used.

2) Anything living (plants, pets, “it’s just for the weekend”)

Storage units aren’t ventilated, watered, or temperature controlled for living things. Plants will die. Pets will suffer. It’s also often against facility rules.

Do not store:

• plants (even hardy ones)

• fish tanks with fish

• any animal, ever

  
  

3) Hazardous, flammable, or explosive items

These are the big red flags. Most storage facilities prohibit them for safety and insurance reasons.

Do not store:

• petrol/gasoline, diesel, kerosene

• propane tanks, camping fuel, lighter fluid

• fireworks or ammunition

• paints, solvents, thinners

• pesticides, pool chemicals, strong cleaning chemicals

• fireworks, flares, or anything combustible

If it can ignite, explode, or leak, it doesn’t belong in a storage unit.

4) Firearms and weaponry

Policies vary by facility and local laws, but in general, storing firearms in a unit is risky and often prohibited.

If you’re unsure, contact the facility directly and follow local legal requirements. If it’s not explicitly permitted, treat it as a “no”

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5) Stolen or illegal goods

This might sound obvious, but it’s worth stating. Storage units aren’t loopholes for things you shouldn’t have in the first place.

6) Cash, jewellery, and high-value irreplaceables

Even with secure facilities, storage is not the best place for items that are:

• highly valuable

• emotionally irreplaceable

• small and easy to steal

Examples:

• cash

• jewellery

• rare collectibles

• family heirlooms and one-of-one items

• sensitive business inventory with high resale value

Better option: a bank safe deposit box or a home safe designed for valuables.

7) Important documents (unless properly protected)

Paper and humidity do not get along. Neither do photos and heat.

Avoid storing unprotected:

• passports, birth certificates, deeds

• tax records and legal paperwork

• printed photographs and albums

• artwork on paper

• business files with sensitive data

If you must store documents:

• use sealed plastic bins (not cardboard)

• elevate off the floor

• consider climate-controlled storage for long-term protection

• keep originals somewhere safer when possible

8) Perishables and “stuff that can rot”

Humidity, heat, and time are rough on organic materials.

Avoid storing:

• candles (they can melt and warp)

• cosmetics, toiletries, and perfume (they can leak or degrade)

• pantry oils (they go rancid)

• anything damp or recently washed that isn’t fully dry

9) Batteries and items with fuel still inside

This is a sneaky one. People store equipment and forget what’s inside it.

Be careful with:

• lawnmowers, trimmers, generators (fuel + oil)

• motorcycles or small engines (fuel)

• battery packs, power banks, e-scooters

• tools with lithium-ion batteries

If a facility allows certain equipment, it may require that it’s drained of fuel and properly prepared.

10) Wet, damp, or “it’ll dry later” items

This is how mould gets invited in.

Do not store:

• damp furniture or cushions

• wet rugs, towels, or mattresses

• gym gear that’s still sweaty

• anything that smells “a bit musty”

Dry it completely first. Every time.

11) Anything you’ll need suddenly

Not a rule, but a common mistake. People pack away things they end up needing within a week.

Common examples:

• seasonal uniforms (kids’ sports, work gear)

• tools for an ongoing renovation

• spare keys

• chargers and cables

• paperwork needed for a sale or move

If you might need it quickly, keep it accessible or store it right at the front.

What people forget all the time (and regret later)

These are the classic “oops” items that cause damage or headaches:

• Aerosols (spray paint, hairspray, deodorant): often prohibited and can burst in heat

• Candles: melt, warp, and leak wax into boxes

• Food crumbs inside appliances (toasters, microwaves): pests will find it

• Fridges/freezers not fully cleaned and dried: instant mildew

• Mattresses stored on the floor: moisture + mould risk

• Cardboard in humid weather: can sag, collapse, and attract insects

• Anything packed in bin bags: traps moisture and encourages odours

• Wood furniture wrapped in plastic: condensation city

Quick storage-safe checklist

Before you store anything, ask:

• Could it leak, rot, attract pests, or ignite?

• Would I be devastated if it was damaged or stolen?

• Is it completely clean and completely dry?

• Am I storing it in breathable packaging or sealed bins (depending on the item)?

• Will I need this in the next 30 days?

If any answer makes you hesitate, adjust your plan.

Need storage in Natchitoches?

If you’re moving, renovating, downsizing, or clearing space, Natchitoches Security Storage can help you choose the right unit and answer questions about what can and can’t be stored.

Contact us today to find the best storage option for your needs.