An offsite self-storage unit is a great solution when you have little room at home and wish to move your items to a safe and secure location. However, it's easy to make the mistake of placing items that shouldn't be kept in these units. Below are some essential items that should and shouldn't stay in storage.

Do:

Store seasonal items.

Items that are only used during holidays or specific seasons should be placed in a self-storage unit to free up space in your home. Store Christmas decorations, snowboards, and camping tents after you've used them for the year.

Pack up unused clothing.

Unused clothing can take up space in your closet but can be difficult to part with for various reasons. Garments that you'll use at a later date can be placed in storage safely in airtight containers, like boxes or plastic bags. Be sure to remove air and moisture from ziplock bags with a vacuum, so mold doesn't develop. 

Move-in your extra furniture.

Whether you're moving from a larger house to a smaller apartment, or you need a temporary place to store a coffee table, wood, fabric, and metal furniture, it can be placed in self-storage. Add a tarp to protect your items against damage, and put them high off the floor, so they don't attract bugs and moisture.

Don't:

Store hazardous materials.

Anything that could be a fire or explosion hazard shouldn't be in storage. Items that have a noxious smell are toxic. Radioactive materials could leak and damage not just your property but will pose a risk to other units and the facility. Paint, cleaners, fireworks, and gasoline are also prohibited for the same reasons. 

Store living things.

It is illegal to have any living thing, whether it's an animal, plant, or person, reside in a self-storage unit. Keeping any living thing in a unit is considered unethical because it doesn't allow any light or much air circulation.

Have perishables in the unit. 

Perishable foods are consumables that have a short shelf life, like produce, dairy, or meats. Even if they're properly stored in a freezer, these products can attract bacteria and rodents if they go bad. Pet foods and rice, although they have a more extended expiration date, shouldn't be stored either because these items are attractive to insects and forms of mold.

If you need a safe and secure place to store your items for the short or longterm, Texarkana Storage and RV in Bowie County, TX, has multiple room options available. This facility, along with their sister company Lakeside Ministorage and RV, has rooms as small as 5 feet by 10 feet, to the sizable 12 feet by 20 feet. With 24/7 access to your units, fencing, and ample lighting, they offer convenience and safety for all of your belongings. Call today at (903) 792-7867 to reserve a unit, or visit their website for more information on rates.