Tom had good intentions.
He was cleaning out his late father-in-law’s house, the kind of job nobody wants to do but someone has to. He rented a truck. He called his brother-in-law.
He showed up ready to move fast. By 10 a.m., he had a storage unit full of furniture, boxes, and one propane tank that “still had some in it.” A gas can. A bag of fertilizer. A freezer with meat in it that he figured he’d deal with later.
He didn’t know. Nobody told him.
The facility manager told him politely, but firmly that most of it had to go back on the truck.
Tom wasn’t a bad guy. He was just trying to get through a hard day. And he didn’t realize that self storage has a short list of things it genuinely cannot hold.
This post is for Tom. And for anyone else who wants to know before they load the truck.
The Quick Version (For Skimmers)
❌ No flammables, explosives, or hazardous materials
❌ No food, perishables, or anything that rots
❌ No plants, animals, or people
❌ No stolen property or illegal items
✅ Furniture, clothing, seasonal gear, electronics, all fine
✅ Vehicles and RVs, great for outdoor storage
✅ Documents and valuables
The Stuff That's Never Allowed
Let’s start with the clear-cut list.
These aren’t judgment calls. They’re policies, and most of them exist because of actual incidents at real facilities.
Flammables and Hazardous Materials : This includes gasoline, propane, oil, paint thinner, bleach, pesticides, fertilizer, and anything else that could ignite, leak, or create fumes. Even a mostly-empty gas can counts.
Storage units are enclosed, often metal-walled spaces. Fumes build up. That’s a serious risk to other renters, to the facility, and to your stuff. If you have hazardous materials, most cities have hazardous waste disposal programs. It’s worth the extra step.
Explosives and Weapons: Fireworks, ammunition, and in most cases, anything that goes boom. Even if it seems small. Even if it’s “just in case.”
Firearms may be stored at some facilities depending on local laws but ammunition almost universally is not. If you have questions, call the facility before you show up.
Food and Perishables :No frozen meat. No”this is just temporary” food. Even sealed food attracts pests.
Once you have a mouse in your unit, you have a problem that becomes everyone’s problem. This one’s a hard no.
Living Things: Plants. Animals. People who need a place to crash. It’s been asked. The answer is no.
Stolen or Illegal Property: We’re not going to dress this one up. If it’s not yours, or if it’s illegal to have it doesn’t go in storage.
The Stuff That CAN Be Stored — But Needs a Little Care
Most of what you’re storing is fine. But a few categories need some basic prep so things don’t come out worse than they went in.
Furniture: Wrap upholstered pieces to protect from dust. Use furniture covers. Leave some airflow if possible don’t stack things directly against walls.
Electronics: Original packaging is ideal. If you don’t have it, use anti-static wrap and good padding. Don’t leave electronics directly on concrete floors, a pallet or shelf helps.
Documents and Important Papers : Waterproof bins. Not cardboard boxes. This is one of the most common regrets people have when they retrieve items from storage.
Clothing and Bedding : Plastic bins beat cardboard for anything longer than a few weeks. If you’re storing for a season or more, moisture absorbers are worth it.
Valuables and Irreplaceable Items : Storage is great for things you want to keep but don’t use daily. But anything irreplaceable jewelry, heirlooms, important documents deserves extra thought. Most facilities offer insurance options, or you can add coverage through your homeowner’s policy.
What to Do With the Stuff You Can't Store
So the facility said no. Now what?
For hazardous materials: Most counties in Nebraska and Iowa host hazardous waste collection events a few times a year. Call your local sanitation department — they’ll point you in the right direction.
For food: Food banks accept non-perishable donations. Local churches, shelters, and community organizations often do pickups for larger volumes.
For propane and fuel: Many hardware stores accept propane exchanges. For gasoline, use it up or take it to a hazardous waste facility.
For things you just don’t know what to do with: Facebook Marketplace, Buy Nothing groups, and local thrift stores. Someone else probably needs it.
Outdoor Storage: RVs, Boats, and Vehicles
If your search was something like “rv storage council bluffs” or “outdoor storage near me” this section’s for you. Vehicles, trailers, RVs, and boats are some of the most common things people store. And they’re great candidates for outdoor storage.
A few things to know before you park:
- Confirm the dimensions of your vehicle against the space offered (width, length, and clearance height matter)
- Keep minimal insurance coverage active on anything stored — even if it’s not being driven
- Check battery condition before you store for a full season
- Ask about covered vs. uncovered options — it matters for long-term weather exposure
Cornerstone Storage offers outdoor vehicle storage at several locations, with controlled gate access and wide drive aisles. If you’re near Council Bluffs or Omaha, check the Council Bluffs location or Omaha storage facilities for availability and parking specs.
Not Sure What Size Unit You Need?
Now that you know what’s going in, figure out how much space you actually need.
Our Size Guide Calculator takes about two minutes. Select your items, get a recommendation, and you’ll know exactly what to rent before you ever talk to anyone.No guessing. No renting too big. No showing up on moving day with nowhere to put your stuff.
It’s ok to need space for yourself→ Use the Size Guide Calculator