Is it worth putting stuff in storage? Do things get ruined? What should not be put in a storage unit?

There are so many reasons to need extra storage these days. Maybe you downsized to a smaller place, are planning on heading off on a long trip, or just want to declutter your home without chucking everything out straight away.

Using a storage facility is a good idea in theory, but is it really worth the money in practice? Here we will look at exactly what you can and can’t store away, and whether it is a good option for you to try today.

Is it worth putting stuff in storage?

Whether it is worth putting stuff in storage depends on what it is that you are storing, how much you want it out of the way and how much you want to keep it. Storage facilities charge by the size of the container or space that you choose to rent, so there is no point wasting money paying for a large amount of storage and then only placing a box or two in there.

Storage also shouldn’t be used as a way to ignore sorting out your possessions to be thrown away. Don’t put stuff into storage that you will never want or need again as that truly would be a waste of money.

On the other hand, if you are clearing out space to redecorate, are heading out of the country for a while or just want to enjoy a less cluttered house, using a storage facility can be precisely the right decision for you.

Some people use storage facilities to keep season-specific clothing until it is needed, to store sporting equipment or other larger items that would otherwise take up too much space, and for so many other reasons that are all worthwhile.

If your excess belongings are causing you stress, or if you want to save things for a later time or keep objects safe, putting stuff in a reputable and trusted place like Keep It Storage Facility can bring you peace of mind and have you feeling more comfortable and relaxed in your own home.

Do things get ruined in storage units?

It is true that your belongings can get ruined in storage facilities if they have not been put away correctly, or if the facility is not up to the right standards. There are often different containers available depending on whether the items you are planning to store need to be protected. Some possessions like cars and outdoor equipment may be fine in conditions where clothing and other such items would not be.

One way to protect your belongings is to wrap them in plastic before placing them in storage. Keeping items that could be harmed by flooding off the floor, adding in items that absorb moisture to try and keep the unit dry, and not overfilling your space are all fantastic ways to prevent as much water damage as you can.

If you overfill your storage unit, you essentially eliminate the air pockets that keep air circulating and moisture levels down. This allows that moisture to build and seep into your possessions, so leaving a certain amount of space to let air in is an important point.

Aside from dampness and moisture, you should leave appliance doors open to prevent mould growth, make sure that you don’t store any food or organic materials that might attract pests, and put a sturdy lock on the door.

While storage units are largely safe, the best way to protect your belongings is to plan ahead. That means getting the right lock, packing your stuff in correctly, and following the rules about what not to store in your unit.

What should not be put in a storage unit?

There are many things that you should not place in your storage unit, some of which seem wildly self-explanatory, though for them to be listed prominently on many storage websites, there must be people out there who have tried, and hopefully failed, to get away with them.

Here are a few of the top no-nos for storage units across the world:

1. Food

As mentioned briefly above, keeping food in your storage unit will bring in insects, rodents and other pests, which will then most likely ruin all your other possessions. Canned food is fine, but pretty much anything else, including bags of pet food, can rot, become damp, and grow increasingly attractive to all the critters roaming around.

Trust us, for your own good and that of every other unit holder in your facility, leave the food products at home.

2. Animals and plants

Now here surely you are thinking that no one would leave a pet in their storage unit – and they absolutely shouldn’t! Leaving animals of any kind in storage is against the law, as well as cruel and just plain mean.

Plants may seem a little less strange, but again plants need light and more air and water than they are going to get in storage. They will only die and become more rotten fodder for the pests that you just managed to keep out by not storing food. If in doubt, leave no living thing in your storage unit.

3. Stolen or hazardous materials

Now this one again you feel should go without saying, but don’t think just because you are keeping them in storage that it is ok, it really isn’t! Anything hazardous that could spill or is flammable and could cause huge amounts of damage to the entire property absolutely cannot go in your unit. Chemicals, fuel and anything that could cause a fire must be left at home.

Conclusion

While storage is not a permanent fix for all life’s problems, it certainly can be a temporary one. If you are in need of somewhere to keep your belongings while moving or decorating, if you are downsizing or taking a long trip, and for so many other reasons storage can be well worth your while.

Make sure you wrap and protect your belongings as best you can, don’t keep food, living things or hazardous goods in your unit, and your possessions should be in safe hands in any reputable and quality storage facility.