Alright, let me put the laptop down. I’m going to tell you about this like I’m explaining it to my brother-in-law, Dave. Dave once tried to store an entire deep freezer full of venison. In August. So, I know a thing or two about having “the talk.”
Listen. That empty unit you’re renting? It feels like a magic closet, doesn’t it? A black hole where your problems disappear. I’ve had that feeling myself. But it’s not a black hole. It’s a real room, and what you put in it has real consequences. I’ve seen the consequences, and they’re ugly, they’re smelly, and they’re expensive.
Let’s get down to brass tacks. Here’s what will get you in deep trouble, might even get you sued, and will absolutely get you a furious phone call from me.
First: The “It’ll Explode or Stink Up the Whole Place” Category
This is the non-negotiable stuff. If you bring this onto my property, I’m turning you away. No hard feelings, but nope.
- Anything that can fuel a fire. I’m looking at you, weekend warriors. That half-full gas can for the lawnmower? The spare propane tank for the grill? The cans of paint thinner and stain from your deck project? Nope, nope, nope. Here’s why: storage units get hot. Even the insulated ones. Fumes build up. All it takes is one tiny spark from a faulty light bulb or some static electricity, and you’re not just losing your stuff—you’re risking the whole building. I have families who store their entire lives here. I won’t risk that for your convenience. Take it to the hazardous waste depot. It’s a hassle, but so is a four-alarm fire.
- Anything that breathes, rots, or attracts pests. This seems obvious until you’re standing there with a bag of birdseed. “But it’s sealed!” you’ll say. Mice can smell that stuff through concrete. They’ll gnaw through the drywall, your box, your neighbor’s box of Christmas ornaments, and turn the place into a condo complex. Same goes for pet food, bags of rice, or—God help me—any kind of perishable food. I had a guy leave a case of protein bars. It took us months to get rid of the ants. No food. Ever. Not even a bag of candy.
Second: The “You’ll Be So, So Sorry Later” Category
These things aren’t always banned, but storing them is a terrible life choice.
- Anything damp. Please, for the love of all that is holy, listen to me on this. Did your basement flood and you saved the area rug? Did you pressure-wash the patio furniture and it’s still wet? Is that camping tent still dewy from the last trip? DO NOT PUT IT IN A SEALED UNIT. Mold grows in the dark, in stagnant air, with a little moisture. It grows fast and it’s vicious. It will destroy the item, the things next to it, and it will create a health hazard. I will have to charge you a massive cleaning fee. Dry your stuff completely. Leave it in your garage for a week if you have to. A bone-dry unit is a happy unit.
- Your most precious memories. This is the conversation I hate most. A sweet older lady once brought in a single, taped-shut cardboard box. “It’s just my mother’s things,” she said. I asked what was in it. “Her photo albums from the old country. Her wedding veil. The letters my father wrote during the war.” My heart sank. I told her, as gently as I could, that this was the worst possible place for it. A storage unit is for stuff. Those aren’t things. They’re your history. They’re irreplaceable. A pipe could burst. A roof could leak (we fix them fast, but it happens). Please, keep those things with you. Get a fireproof safe. Digitize the photos. A unit at Sebastian Quality Storage is perfect for your extra sofa or your business inventory, but it is not a vault for your heart.
Third: The “Just… Use Your Common Sense” Category
- Cash, jewelry, important papers. I’m not a bank. My security is good, but I don’t have a giant vault and armed guards. Your passport, deed, and stock certificates belong in a safety deposit box.
- Anything illegal. Obviously. But I have to say it.
- Batteries. Especially old car batteries or loose lithium batteries. They can corrode and leak acid, or worse, catch fire. Just recycle them.
So, what the heck CAN you store?
Almost everything else! That’s the beauty of it. The dining set you’re saving for your kid’s first apartment. Your collection of vintage vinyl (ask me about climate-controlled units for that!). Your seasonal decor. Your kayak. The inventory for your online boutique. The extra fridge during your kitchen remodel.
The key is to be smart. Use plastic bins, not cardboard boxes—they’re like little fortresses. Label everything with a fat black marker. Leave an aisle so you can get to the back. And for heaven’s sake, get a good lock. Not the cheap $5 combo lock from the gas station.
Here’s the thing about Sebastian Quality Storage: it’s my business. My name’s on the sign. When you rent from me, you’re not renting from a corporation. You’re getting a space I personally maintain. I check the doors. I keep the place lit and clean. I’m here to help you solve a problem, not create a new one.
Store with your head, not just your hands. Think it through. And if you’re ever, ever unsure about an item, just call me and ask. I’d rather have a five-minute chat now than a disaster later.
Now, you want to see the 10×15? It’s got the best light. I’ll walk you over.
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