In this guide
Most things store perfectly well. A few need some care. And a short list can never go into a unit at all, usually for reasons that protect your things as much as anyone else's. If you're wondering what can you store in a storage unit, here's the plain list, with the reasons, so nothing has to be pulled off the truck on collection day.
What stores well
These are the things storage is made for. Pack them properly and they'll come back the way they went in.
- Furniture. Beds, wardrobes, sofas, dining sets, desks and chairs. Take apart what comes apart.
- Appliances. Fridges, freezers, washing machines, ovens, air conditioners and water dispensers, cleaned and dried first.
- Boxes of household goods. Crockery, books, linen, clothes, toys and kitchen things.
- Electronics. Televisions, computers and speakers, ideally in their original boxes, with batteries removed.
- Business stock and fittings. Cartons of goods, display units, shelving and office furniture.
- Bicycles and a motorbike. A motorbike needs its fuel tank drained first, which we come to below.
- Documents and records, boxed and labelled.
Things that need some care
These can go in, but they're more sensitive to time, damp or heat. A little preparation makes a big difference.
Mattresses and soft furnishings
Fine in a proper mattress bag, stored flat or on the long side and kept off the floor. They must be completely dry. A mattress collected on a rainy day and stored as it is can grow mould within weeks.
Wooden furniture
Check it for termites before it's packed. Look for fine powder near the joints or small holes. Treated or clean wood stores for years. Infested wood carries the problem with it.
Leather
Clean and condition it before storage and cover it with breathable fabric, not plastic.
Photographs, artwork and paper
Keep them flat in sealed boxes, away from the walls and floor. Heat and humidity are what harm them, so they belong in the middle of the unit.
Musical instruments
Hard cases, always. Stringed instruments in particular react to changes in humidity, so think carefully about a long stay.
Valuables
Jewellery, cash and important original documents are better kept in a bank locker than a storage unit. If you're storing anything of unusual value, tell us in advance so we can agree how it's handled, and arrange your own insurance for it.
Our guide to protecting furniture from humidity and termites covers the care side in more detail.
What can never go into a storage unit
This list isn't about being difficult. Every item on it is either a danger to the building, a danger to the other units around yours, or something that would spoil and ruin everything packed near it.
| Not allowed | Why |
|---|---|
| Gas cylinders, including empty ones | Fire and explosion risk. An empty cylinder still holds gas. |
| Petrol, diesel, kerosene and other fuels | Highly flammable. Drain generators and motorbikes first. |
| Paint, thinners, solvents and chemicals | Flammable, and fumes build up in a closed space. |
| Fireworks, ammunition and weapons | Dangerous, and in many cases illegal to store this way. |
| Food and anything perishable | It rots and attracts insects and rats, which then move into your furniture. |
| Plants | They die without light and water, and bring soil, damp and insects. |
| Animals of any kind | Obviously, but it does get asked. |
| Anything that has to be kept cold | We don't offer cold or temperature controlled storage. |
| Anything illegal or stolen | No explanation needed. |
Grey areas, answered
Can I store a car?
Our units and containers are set up for household goods and business stock, not vehicles. Ask us about your situation, but plan on keeping a car elsewhere.
Can I store things for someone else?
Yes, as long as you know what's in the boxes. You're responsible for everything in your unit, so don't store sealed boxes for anyone you wouldn't vouch for.
Can I work in my unit?
A storage unit isn't a workshop or an office. You can visit to collect, drop off or reorganise, with 48 hours notice, and each visit includes an hour on site.
Can I live in it, even briefly?
No. It isn't safe or allowed, anywhere.
Can I store an air conditioner or a generator?
Yes. Split air conditioners store well once the indoor and outdoor units are disconnected by a technician and the pipes capped. A generator is fine too, but only with the fuel tank completely empty. Both are heavy, so they go on the floor at the back.
What about clothes and shoes?
They store well in sealed boxes or vacuum bags, washed and completely dry first. Add a few naphthalene balls in a cloth bag against moths. Leather shoes and bags should be cleaned and stuffed with paper so they keep their shape.
Can I store books?
Absolutely. Use small boxes so they're not too heavy to lift, pack them flat or spine down, and keep the boxes off the floor. Books are one of the things that pick up damp smells, so the dry rules apply.
Can I store wedding dowry items for a future date?
Yes, and many families do. Furniture, crockery sets, bedding and appliances bought ahead of a wedding store well. Keep a careful list of what's in each box, because these are often packed months or years before anyone opens them again.
Before collection day
Go round the house with this list in hand. Pull out the cylinders, paint tins and fuel cans, empty the fridge, and drain the generator. Then pack the rest using our checklist on how to pack furniture for storage.
If something isn't on this list and you're not sure, ask before collection day rather than on it. Our FAQ covers the common questions, and you can get a price once you know what's going in.
Ready when you are
Your own locked unit from PKR 5,000 a month
Tell us roughly what you're storing and we'll send back the unit size and the monthly price. 1 month minimum, then month by month. No visit needed.
Get a price for your storage
It takes about a minute. We reply with the unit and the monthly figure, usually the same day.
