What Not to Put in Storage: Prohibited and Risky Items
What is prohibited, what is risky, and what should ride with you instead of going in the truck.
People focus on what to put in storage. The bigger question is what to keep out. Some items are prohibited. Some are technically allowed but will ruin everything around them. Some you just want with you instead.
Strictly prohibited (do not store these)
Federal regulations and storage facility rules prohibit these items entirely. Movers will not load them.
Hazardous and flammable items
- Gasoline, kerosene, propane tanks, lighter fluid
- Oil-based paints, stains, paint thinner, solvents
- Pool chemicals, fertilizer, pesticides
- Fireworks, ammunition, explosives
- Charcoal, lamp oil, sterno cans
- Aerosol cans (hairspray, spray paint, cleaners)
How to handle: Drain power tools and lawn equipment. Use up or give away paint and chemicals. Drop hazardous waste at your township collection day.
Food and perishables
- Canned goods, dry goods, spices, baking supplies
- Pet food (a magnet for mice)
- Opened cosmetics, lotions, and personal care
- Anything that can spoil, melt, or attract pests
Living things
- Plants (movers will not transport long distances anyway)
- Pets (obvious, but worth saying)
Technically allowed but a bad idea
These will not ruin the warehouse, but they will ruin your day.
- ✗ Candles. They warp and bleed wax even in climate storage.
- ✗ Loose batteries. They corrode. Remove from all devices first.
- ✗ Soiled or damp items. Mold and mildew spread to nearby items.
- ✗ Unwashed linens or clothing. Stains set, pests follow.
- ✗ Pressboard furniture you have already disassembled twice. Joints rarely survive a third assembly.
Keep with you, not in storage
These are not prohibited — they are just too important to be out of reach.
- Passports, birth certificates, social security cards
- Wills, deeds, titles, tax records (current)
- Cash, checkbooks, financial records
- Jewelry and small heirlooms
- Prescription medications
- Family photographs (originals)
- External hard drives with irreplaceable data
- Anything you would replace immediately after a fire
Pack these in a clearly labeled “essentials” box that rides with you, not in the truck.
The disposal plan
Some of what you cannot store is also hard to throw away. Townships in Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Bucks counties run periodic hazardous waste drop-off days. Check your township website for the next date. For old paint, many home improvement stores accept it. For batteries, many big-box stores and home improvement stores have collection bins. For old electronics, county recycling centers usually take them.
If sorting through what to store, donate, and discard is more than you want to manage, our junk removal and donation service can handle it for you.
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I store food in my storage unit?
No. Food of any kind, including canned and dry goods, attracts pests and can spoil, leak, or mold. Empty all food from pantries and refrigerators before storage. This includes pet food, spices, and anything in sealed containers that might leak. Most movers and storage facilities prohibit food entirely.
Can I store paint, gasoline, or propane tanks?
No. Flammable, combustible, and hazardous materials are prohibited by federal regulation and by most storage facilities. This includes gasoline, propane, kerosene, oil-based paints, paint thinner, lighter fluid, fireworks, and pool chemicals. Drain and dispose of these before your move. Many townships have hazardous waste drop-off days.
Are batteries safe to store?
Loose batteries should be removed from devices before storage. Alkaline batteries can leak corrosive material over time. Lithium-ion batteries can pose fire risks in heat. Remove batteries from remotes, flashlights, smoke detectors, and small electronics before packing. Store loose batteries at home or dispose of old ones properly.
Can I store candles or perishables?
Candles melt in summer heat and warp in storage, even in climate-managed warehouses, because surface temperatures during loading can spike. Perishables of any kind — food, opened cosmetics, anything that can spoil — should not go into storage. Keep cosmetics, medicines, and candles with you during the move.
What about important documents and valuables?
Keep documents and valuables with you, not in storage. This includes passports, birth certificates, social security cards, deeds, wills, jewelry, cash, prescription medications, and family photographs. Storage is safe, but irreplaceable items should never leave your direct control during a move.
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LiteMovers · PA PUC A-8916211 · USDOT 2173383 · MC-888055 · Serving Greater Philadelphia since 2007.
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