You tend to accumulate plenty of possessions, no matter what life throws at you, be it a move across the country, divorce, retirement, or opening a new business. Renting a storage unit for a month or longer can help to make life’s challenges easier. Before you start packing (or unpacking) there’s a lot to consider when renting a storage unit. One question we get asked often is, “What can I store in a storage unit”? Fairfax City Self Storage has put together a list of some common items you can store in a storage unit and what possessions you should avoid placing in storage.
Most Common Items Stored in a Storage Unit
Furniture is one of the most common items to keep at a storage facility. That big papasan chair you loved in college is now too large for your cute but tiny apartment. Not ready to get rid of it permanently? A storage unit is the best option.
Common items stored in a storage unit:
- Large appliances
- Paper files, tax and business type documents
- Automobiles, motorcycles, bikes
- Seasonal items (holiday decorations and the like)
- Family treasures (photographs, antiques, books)
- Mattresses
Additional Items Safe to Store in a Storage Unit
Storage units aren’t just for home and apartment dwellers. Business owners, landscaping and home service businesses use our commercial self-storage to keep/stow away all kinds of items. A few that can be stored here include:
- Medical supplies (masks, personal protective equipment)
- Landscaping tools and mowers
- Plumbing and construction tools and equipment
- Archived business documents
- Office equipment and furniture
What Items Can I Store in a Temperature Controlled Storage Unit?
At Fairfax City Self Storage, you have the option of renting a temperature controlled unit. Temperature controlled units offer temperature and humidity control, typically set between 60-75 degrees, year-round. Our temperature controlled units are monitored by staff to ensure units are heated when they need to be and cooled when temperatures are rising. Items that you should highly consider for a temperature-controlled unit include:
- Leather, wicker and wood furniture
- Antiques
- Heirloom clothing and fabric items (wedding gowns or vintage clothing)
- Antique or vintage automobiles and motorcycles
- Collectibles (comic books, art, electronics)
- Photos, film and other types of media
If you have any questions about what items should be stored in a temperature-controlled unit, give us a call or stop by. We would be happy to answer any questions or concerns.
What Items Can I Store in a Non-Temperature Controlled Storage Unit?
Not all personal or business items need to be stored in a temperature controlled unit. Our weather does vary throughout the year, but if you’re only storing items for a short time, you may not need a temperature-controlled unit. However, if you are storing items at the height of summer or in the middle of winter, you may want to consider a unit with a temperature and humidity control.
Items that don’t warp or crack due to temperature conditions may be safe to house in a non-temperature controlled unit. We’ll work with you to pick the right unit that meets your needs, long term or short.
What Shouldn’t Be Stored in a Storage Unit?
If our walls could talk! We help Fairfax residents store a wide variety of stuff, from oversized to delicate objects. But, there are a number of items that cannot be stored in a storage unit of any size, regardless of temperature control. These include:
- Flammable or hazardous liquids or materials, such as gasoline, fireworks etc.
- Any toxic materials
- Food items including canned, pet foods, perishable food items and plants
- Tires
- Stolen goods or illegal drugs
- Ammunition
- People and pets
Contact Us Today
Whatever life challenge you may be facing, whether it be a new job, moving a loved one into a nursing facility or simply decluttering your home, let Fairfax City Self Storage take the guess work out of storage. We have 30 years of experience storing belongings, safely and securely. If you’re still unsure what you can safely keep in our storage units, we can help. We can also discuss the best size unit you’ll need and other quality storage solutions. Conveniently located in Fairfax, Virginia off the beltway, come tour our facility with 24-hour access, 365 days a year.
Contact us or give us a call at (703) 978-1200 for more information.