Storage units are one of the most useful tools in any move, giving you a buffer when move-in and move-out dates don’t align perfectly, or a place to keep belongings while you figure out what fits in the new space. But storage facilities have firm rules about what can and cannot be stored, and those rules exist for good reason. Putting the wrong item in a unit can invalidate your rental agreement, damage neighboring tenants’ belongings, create legal liability, or result in immediate eviction from the facility. Here’s what to keep out.

Flammable and Combustible Materials

Gasoline, propane tanks, paint, motor oil, fireworks, pesticides, cleaning solvents, and compressed gas canisters are prohibited at virtually every storage facility. These materials are fire hazards and can become volatile in enclosed, temperature-variable environments.

This includes items you might not immediately think of as hazardous. Your lawnmower or generator is fine to store, but only after you’ve drained all fuel from the tank and oil from the reservoir. A gas-powered tool with residual fuel is a fire risk in an enclosed unit, particularly in Florida’s heat. Drain fluids from lawn mowers and other outdoor equipment before putting them in storage.

Propane grills are another common example: the grill itself is generally allowed, but the propane tank must be fully emptied and disconnected before storing. Never put a tank with any remaining fuel in a storage unit.

Food and Perishables

All food, including canned goods and sealed snacks, can attract pests, mold, and unpleasant smells. Even “non-perishable” food can spoil in storage conditions.

Storage units are not temperature or humidity-controlled in standard configurations, in Gainesville and Ocala’s summers, interior temperatures can climb dramatically. Food in those conditions doesn’t last, and the pests it attracts don’t stay in your unit. A rodent infestation that starts in your unit from a forgotten box of cereal can spread through an entire facility. Facilities take food storage violations seriously and can terminate your rental agreement.

Hazardous Chemicals and Toxic Substances

Do not store chemicals, fertilizers, or everyday cleaning products in a storage unit. These items are toxic and dangerous in extreme temperatures. They could cause a fire or chemical accident in your unit and the surrounding storage units.

This includes items that seem benign in a home context, bleach, ammonia-based cleaners, acetone, pool chemicals, and large aerosol cans all fall under this category. Even sealed containers can degrade in extreme heat. When in doubt, use up what you have, dispose of it properly, or purchase new product when you need it at the destination.

Living Things

Living things, pets, plants, or any living organisms, should never be placed in a storage unit. Plants will almost certainly die due to lack of sunlight and will attract pests. Storing animals in a storage unit is dangerous and illegal. Facilities take violations involving living creatures extremely seriously, they typically result in immediate eviction from the facility and potential legal consequences.

Weapons, Ammunition, and Illegal Items

Firearms, ammunition, and explosives are prohibited for safety and legal reasons. Storing these can put both you and the facility at risk of serious consequences. Similarly, illegal substances, unregistered firearms, or stolen items are not only against storage facility policies, they’re against the law. Facilities often cooperate with law enforcement if they suspect illegal activity.

Some facilities allow registered, legal firearms in their storage units, but policies vary. If you need to store firearms, check the specific facility’s policy before you move anything in and confirm the requirements for legal storage in Florida.

Irreplaceable Documents and Valuables

Birth certificates, passports, Social Security cards, tax records, wills, and medical records should never be stored in a storage unit long-term. Standard storage units are not secure environments for irreplaceable documents, they can be damaged by humidity, heat, or in a worst-case scenario, accessed by someone other than you. Keep critical documents at home, with a trusted person, or in a bank safe deposit box.

High-value jewelry, cash, and irreplaceable items carry similar risk. Storage units can be broken into, and your storage insurance may not cover theft of cash or jewelry at full value.

Items That Require Climate Control, in Uncontrolled Units

Some items aren’t prohibited but will be damaged if stored in a standard (non-climate-controlled) unit, particularly in Florida’s heat and humidity:

Electronics: Wrap with anti-static materials and use climate control when possible. Artwork: Store upright in acid-free paper with climate control to prevent warping or fading. Furniture: Clean and dry before storing. Use breathable covers, never plastic, on wood or leather. Wood can swell or crack in humid conditions. Appliances: Defrost, drain, and clean thoroughly. Leave doors slightly open to prevent mold. Textiles and clothing: Wash, dry, and store in sealed bins with moisture absorbers.

If you’re storing any of these items in Gainesville or Ocala during summer months, a climate-controlled unit isn’t optional, it’s essential for preserving the items through the heat and humidity of a Florida summer.

The Simple Rule

When in doubt about a specific item, ask the storage facility before you load it into the unit. Facilities maintain a list of prohibited items and will tell you directly whether something is allowed. The conversation takes two minutes and prevents a situation where you’ve already moved something in that has to come right back out.