Author
Celtic Self Storage
One of the most common questions we receive is: "What am I actually allowed to keep in a storage unit?" The short answer is almost anything — but not everything. This article is your complete guide to permitted and prohibited items in self storage.
What you CAN store in self storage
Let us start with the good news — the list of allowed items is very long. Here are the main categories:
Furniture
Furniture is far and away the most common category. You can store:
- Sofas, armchairs, poufs
- Beds and mattresses
- Wardrobes, chests of drawers, bookcases
- Tables and chairs
- Desks and office furniture
- Garden furniture (tables, chairs, loungers)
Tip: Clean furniture thoroughly and protect it with stretch wrap or blankets before placing it in the unit. Wooden pieces benefit from a coat of furniture polish before storage.
Clothing and textiles
- Seasonal clothing (winter coats, summer dresses)
- Bedding, blankets, pillows
- Shoes
- Sportswear
Tip: Vacuum bags reduce clothing volume by up to 70 percent and keep dust out. Avoid sealed plastic bags for long-term storage — they trap moisture and can cause mould. Use breathable garment covers instead.
Electronics
- TVs, monitors, computers
- Games consoles
- Printers, scanners
- Audio equipment (speakers, amplifiers)
- Small appliances (blender, toaster, coffee machine)
Tip: Pack electronics in their original boxes if you still have them, or in sturdy cartons with plenty of padding. Avoid damp environments — Celtic units are dry and ventilated.
Documents and archives
- Company financial records
- Personnel files
- Contracts and correspondence
- Books and magazines
- Marketing materials
Tip: Store documents in plastic containers with lids rather than cardboard boxes. This provides an extra barrier against dust and any accidental moisture. Label every container for easy retrieval.
Sports and leisure equipment
- Bicycles
- Skis and snowboards
- Diving gear
- Inflatable kayaks
- Fitness equipment (bench, dumbbells)
- Balls, rackets, golf clubs
Tip: Clean all equipment before storage. Bicycles are best hung on wall hooks to save floor space.
Tires
- Summer and winter tires
- Tires with and without rims
- Motorcycle tires
Tip: Store clean, dry tires in a stack (with rims) or standing upright (without rims). For more detail, read our tire storage guide.
Garden tools and equipment
- Lawnmowers (drain the fuel first!)
- Hand tools and power tools
- Hoses, sprinklers
- Pots and garden accessories
- Garden furniture
Tip: Drain all fuel and oil from petrol-powered equipment before placing it in the unit. Clean soil off garden tools.
Sentimental items and collections
- Photo albums
- Family heirlooms
- Collections (stamps, coins, figurines)
- Children's toys kept for sentimental value
- Artwork (properly protected)
Business stock and e-commerce inventory
- Products for sale
- Office supplies
- Exhibition stands and trade-show materials
- Product samples
- Packaging and shipping supplies
What you CANNOT store in self storage
Now the important part — the list of prohibited items. These restrictions exist for legal, safety, and insurance reasons.
Strictly prohibited
- Flammable substances — petrol, propane, solvents, oil-based paints
- Explosives — fireworks, ammunition, firecrackers
- Toxic substances — pesticides, poisons, industrial chemicals
- Illegal drugs — any controlled substances
- Weapons — without the appropriate licence and operator approval
- Perishable food — fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy (attracts pests)
- Live animals — obvious, but worth stating
- Plants — they need light and water
- Medical waste — needles, expired medication, biological material
- Radioactive material
Items that require extra care
Some items are allowed but need proper handling:
- Temperature-sensitive electronics — servers, hard drives (best kept in climate-controlled units)
- Musical instruments — pianos, guitars (sensitive to humidity)
- Wine and spirits — permitted but require stable temperatures
- Perfumes and cosmetics — small amounts are fine; bulk quantities need discussion
- Batteries and accumulators — individual ones are fine; large quantities require consultation
- Sealed motor oil — allowed in original, unopened containers
Detailed packing tips for popular categories
Storing electronics
- Remove batteries from all devices (prevents corrosion)
- Use original packaging or sturdy boxes with ample padding
- Wrap screens in bubble wrap
- Never place heavy items on top of monitors
- Store cables in labelled zip-lock bags
Storing documents
- Organise chronologically or by subject
- Use plastic containers with lids
- Label every container (contents and date range)
- Scan important documents and keep a digital backup
- Never store the only copy of a critical document — always have a backup
Storing upholstered furniture
- Clean the upholstery before storage
- Wrap in stretch film or furniture blankets
- Never stack anything on top of sofas or armchairs
- Stand mattresses upright so they hold their shape
- Place padding underneath if the floor is bare concrete
Storing seasonal clothing
- Wash and dry everything before packing
- Use vacuum bags or breathable garment covers
- Add moth deterrents (lavender sachets, cedar blocks)
- Never pack damp or wet clothing — mould is guaranteed
- Stuff shoes with newspaper to help them keep their shape
How Celtic protects your belongings
At Celtic Self Storage, we provide conditions that keep your items safe:
- Dry, ventilated units — no damp problems
- Solid walls and floors — pests cannot get in
- 24/7 CCTV — cameras record activity across the entire facility
- Individual PIN — only you can access your unit
- Insurance — basic cover included in the rental price
Summary
You can store virtually anything in self storage as long as it is legal, non-flammable, and will not attract pests. The key is proper preparation — clean, dry items in solid packaging will survive months or even years in a storage unit without any issues.
Not sure about a specific item? Give us a call and ask — we are always happy to advise:
- Lomianki: 668 116 622
- Piaseczno: 606 914 856
Have questions? Check our FAQ or get in touch.
When in doubt, ask before you bring it in. Better to check than to regret it later.
