The short answer is that most everyday items are fine in a storage unit. Furniture, white goods, clothing, tools, garden equipment, and business stock are all suitable. The list of things you can store is much longer than the list of things you cannot, but there are a few important exceptions worth knowing before your unit arrives.
This guide covers what is allowed and what is not for a portable on-site storage unit from Door To Store, delivered and built at your property across the UK.
Why what you store in a storage unit matters
Understanding the rules protects you, your belongings, and anyone working nearby. Most restrictions exist because certain items create fire risk, chemical hazard, or legal liability inside an enclosed steel unit. The prohibited list is short and specific, so it rarely affects genuine storage needs.
What can you store in a storage unit?
The following items are all suitable for a Door To Store portable unit:
- Household furniture: sofas, beds, wardrobes, dining tables, chairs, and flat-pack pieces. Wrap upholstered items in dust sheets for longer hires to keep them clean.
- White goods and appliances: fridges, washing machines, dishwashers, and tumble dryers, provided they are clean and dry before storing. Wipe out any residual moisture from drums or seals to prevent mould.
- Clothing and textiles: wardrobes, boxed clothing, bedding, curtains, and cushions. For longer hires, particularly over winter, an Absorpole condensation stick helps manage moisture inside the unit and protects fabric items.
- Garden equipment: lawnmowers, strimmers, garden furniture, tools, and plant pots. Drain petrol from any fuel-powered equipment before storing, as fuel falls under the prohibited category.
- DIY and trade tools: power tools, hand tools, scaffolding components, and building materials all store without issue in a steel unit.
- Business and commercial stock: product inventory, display equipment, event furniture, promotional materials, and point-of-sale stock. A unit on your premises keeps stock secure and accessible without needing an offsite facility.
- Seasonal items: Christmas decorations, garden furniture stored over winter, camping gear, and off-season sports equipment.
- Documents and records: files and paperwork in sealed, waterproof boxes or archive containers. Avoid storing loose paper directly on the floor.
- Bicycles and small vehicles: bicycles, motorcycles, mobility scooters, and small trailers, subject to the unit size chosen. Full-sized cars are not suitable as the units are not designed for that purpose.
What you cannot store in a storage unit
The following are prohibited in a Door To Store unit:
- Flammable liquids and gases: petrol, diesel, paint thinners, LPG canisters, aerosols, and any substance with a low flash point. This is the most commonly overlooked restriction. If your lawnmower or generator has fuel in the tank, drain it first before storing.
- Other hazardous materials: chemicals, pesticides, fertilisers, cleaning solvents, and any substance labelled with a hazard symbol.
- Perishable food: fresh or frozen food spoils without refrigeration and attracts pests. Sealed, non-perishable food in containers is generally fine for short periods in a dry unit, though a storage unit is not designed as a food store.
- Illegal goods, stolen property, and controlled substances: units may only be used for lawful storage. Any unit found to contain illegal items is subject to immediate termination of hire.
- Living things: no people or animals may be kept inside a storage unit at any time.
How Door To Store handles your storage needs
Every Door To Store unit is delivered to your property and built on-site by the DTS team, then collected again at the end of your hire. Units can be placed on driveways, gardens, commercial premises, construction sites, or any reasonably level outdoor area. You have 24-hour access to your belongings because the unit is on your own land, with no facility opening hours to work around.
Security is provided by two built-in deadlocks per unit, with keys supplied by DTS. No padlock is required. Units range from a compact 2×2 metre (40 sq ft) up to a 2×12 metre or 4×6 metre (240 sq ft), covering everything from a single bedroom’s overflow to full commercial storage needs. If you’re renovating, downsizing, or managing business stock, there is a size to suit most situations.
If condensation is a concern for your items, Absorpole moisture absorbers are available to purchase from DTS. Shelving can also be fitted inside any unit on request, useful if you need regular access to specific items without shifting boxes to reach them.
Common questions about what can go in a storage unit
Q: Can I store a fridge in a storage unit?
Yes. Make sure it is clean and completely dry before storing. For longer-term storage, leave the door very slightly ajar to prevent mould and odour building up inside the appliance.
Q: Can I store a car in a storage unit?
Our portable units are not large enough to accommodate a full-sized car. Bicycles, motorcycles, and smaller vehicles can fit depending on the unit size chosen.
Q: Can I store food in a storage unit?
Sealed, non-perishable food in containers is generally fine for short periods. Fresh or frozen food is not suitable, as there is no refrigeration in the unit.
Q: Are there restrictions on business stock?
Most commercial stock stores without issue in a portable unit. Hazardous goods, flammable liquids, and anything requiring refrigeration are not permitted, in line with the general prohibited list above.
Q: What happens if prohibited items are discovered in the unit?
Hire is terminated immediately under the Door To Store terms and conditions. DTS reserves the right to inspect units where there is reasonable cause for concern.
If you are not sure whether something you need to store is suitable, get in touch before booking. To find out what can you store in a storage unit from Door To Store and choose the right size for your needs, call 0800 043 9302 or visit doortostore.co.uk for a free, no-obligation quote.
