Flammable stock, no. Aerosols, no, whatever the label. Candles and wax melts: ask us first. Clause 18(c) of our terms says you must not store "combustible or flammable substances including but not limited to gas, paint, petrol, oil, cleaning solvents or compressed gases". For anything that isn't an aerosol, the quick test is the label: a perfume, nail polish, reed diffuser, pump room spray or hand gel that shows the flame symbol stays out. Candles and wax melts aren't named in our terms, so tell us what you make before you book.
What the terms say
| Clause | Exact words | In plain words |
|---|---|---|
| 18(c) | "combustible or flammable substances including but not limited to gas, paint, petrol, oil, cleaning solvents or compressed gases" | Anything combustible or flammable. Gas, paint, petrol, oil, cleaning solvents and compressed gases are given as examples; "including but not limited to" means the list isn't the whole rule. "Compressed gases" can reach pressurised cans. |
| 18(g) | "unlicensed or unsafe goods (including but not limited to toys, electrical goods, medicines, aerosols, cosmetics, fireworks)", alongside "any illegal item or substances or goods illegally obtained" | Counterfeit, smuggled or non-compliant stock is barred. Aerosols, cosmetics and fireworks are named here as examples of unlicensed or unsafe goods. |
| 18(e) | "chemicals, radioactive materials, biological agents, toxic waste, asbestos or other potentially hazardous substances" | Chemicals and other potentially hazardous substances, such as salon chemicals or paint stripper. |
| 18(f) | "any item that emits fumes, or odours" | Strong-smelling stock can fall here too. |
Our short list of prohibited goods gives the headline categories; this page goes product by product.
Product by product
| Stock | Can it be stored? |
|---|---|
| Any aerosol whose can shows the flame symbol: deodorant, hairspray, dry shampoo, body spray, air freshener | No: flammable, 18(c) |
| Aerosols with no flame symbol | No: 18(c) "compressed gases" |
| Spray tan solution in bottles (non-aerosol) | No if the label shows the flame symbol. Otherwise ask us |
| Spray paint, spray adhesive, aerosol primer | No: 18(c) names paint, and our florist guide names "aerosol spray paints and adhesives" |
| Lighter refills and gas lighters | No: 18(c) names gas |
| Gas canisters for patio heaters | No: 18(c) names gas and compressed gases (the heater body with the canister removed: ask us) |
| Party poppers and confetti cannons | Ask us first (a gas-charged cannon holds compressed gas, named in 18(c)) |
| Perfume and aftershave | No if the label shows the flame symbol (18(c)). No symbol: ask us |
| Nail polish and nail polish remover | No if the label shows the flame symbol. For remover, our building-materials guide says "no paint thinners, white spirit, acetone or other solvents" |
| Reed diffusers, room fragrance liquids and pump (non-aerosol) room sprays | No if the label shows the flame symbol; strong scent can also fall under 18(f). Otherwise ask us |
| Alcohol hand gel | No if the label shows the flame symbol |
| Fragrance oils and essential oils in bulk | No: our sellers' guide puts "bulk fragrance oils or solvents used in candle-making" on "the restricted side" |
| Smaller bottles of fragrance or essential oil | No if the label shows the flame symbol. Otherwise ask us |
| Finished candles and wax melts | Ask us first (see below) |
| Sparklers and fireworks | No: 18(d) bars "explosives" (18(g) also names fireworks as an example of unlicensed or unsafe goods) |
| Empty jars, tins, lids, bottles, labels, boxes and packaging | Yes, as ordinary goods |
The flame symbol is a red-bordered diamond with a flame in it (HSE). No symbol doesn't make an item allowed, because 18(c) covers combustible as well as flammable substances, so if it isn't in the table, ask us.
Aerosols, whatever the label
Aerosols can't be stored, whether or not the can shows the flame symbol. Our terms bar "compressed gases" (clause 18(c)), and an aerosol is a pressurised can of gas; our guides say pressurised cans are "not suitable for storage". That covers deodorant, hairspray, dry shampoo, spray cleaners, air fresheners and spray paint. Non-aerosol pump sprays and liquids follow the label: flame symbol, no; otherwise ask us first.
Candles and wax melts: ask us first
Our terms don't mention candles or wax melts, and two parts of them could catch them. Wax burns, which is what a candle is made to do, and 18(c) covers "combustible" substances as well as flammable ones. Scented ranges give off a smell, and 18(f) rules out "any item that emits fumes, or odours". Two of our guides say fine: the guide for Amazon and Etsy sellers says "finished candles and most wax are generally fine to store as ordinary stock", and our craft-fair guide says "Finished candles and most scented products sold ready for retail are generally fine to store". Because the terms themselves don't settle it, we don't give a blanket answer here. Tell us what you make, whether it's scented, how much and how it's packed, and we'll tell you before you book.
Raw materials are a separate question. The sellers' guide puts "bulk fragrance oils or solvents used in candle-making" on "the restricted side", so bulk oils stay out; 18(c) names cleaning solvents. The same guide warns that units aren't climate-controlled, so wax "can soften in summer heat".
Online sellers and makers
Our guide for Amazon and Etsy sellers puts it plainly: "Items such as aerosols, lithium batteries in quantity, fuels, solvents, paints, gas canisters, fireworks and other flammable or hazardous materials are not suitable for storage". Our pick, pack and post guide adds that the rule "can catch out sellers of aerosols, some nail and beauty products". If you buy stock in from abroad, 18(g) matters as well: unlicensed or unsafe cosmetics, toys or electrical goods can't be stored. Battery-powered stock has its own limits; see e-bikes, scooters and lithium batteries.
Salons, nail technicians and beauty businesses
Chairs, trolleys, dryers, towels and mirrors are fine. Hairspray and dry shampoo in aerosol cans are out, whatever the label. Nail polish and remover are out if the label shows the flame symbol. Hair dye, developer and lightening products may fall under 18(e) "chemicals"; ask us before any go in. For non-aerosol, non-flammable stock such as shampoo, conditioner and creams, ask us too, and list them in your quote request. Hand gel and first-aid supplies: see can I store medicines?.
Decorators
See can I store paint and decorating supplies? In short: paint of any kind, white spirit, thinners and spray cans can't go in; clean brushes, ladders, dust sheets and hand tools can; for filler or decorators' caulk, if the label shows the flame symbol it's out, otherwise ask us.
Event businesses, florists and stylists
Our guide for florists, stylists and hire companies says "Dry consumables are fine; flammable liquids and pressurised cans are not", and lists "fuel for fire effects, gas canisters for portable heaters" among what "does not belong in any storage unit". For patio heaters and gas, see can I store a lawnmower, gas bottles or a barbecue?. Battery lights come under clause 20: you must not store "portable battery chargers, power banks or any similar portable power source" (20(b)), or "more than ten (10) laptops, tablet computers, children’s toys or other similar items containing built-in batteries" (20(d)). Rechargeable light packs and large sets of battery lights: ask us. Table candles for events are the ask-us item above. For flowers, foliage and dried stock, see can I store plants?.
Business use, insurance and loss
Our insurance guide says prohibited items "will not be covered by any contents protection insurance", and lists "Perishables and flammables". Goods are stored at your sole risk (clause 30), and 30(a) excludes our liability for "loss or damage to Your business, if any, including consequential loss, lost profits or business interruption". Where loss of or damage to goods results from our negligence or breach of contract, clause 30(b) says "Our liability will be limited to the sum of £100 in total", so insure stock at what it would cost you to replace it today, not its selling price and not what you originally paid.
Clearing stock for someone else
The same rules apply whoever loads the unit: clause 18 says you mustn't "allow any other person to store" these goods.
Already stored some?
Take it out on your next visit (access is normally 6am to 10pm; check your site's page). If something has leaked, call us on 0800 2545585. Clause 17(c) lets us enter a unit "if We believe the Unit is being used to store prohibited Goods".
Questions to ask us
- Would contents protection cover my stock? Our insurance guide lists "Perishables and flammables" among items not covered.
- Can I store raw wax?
- Can I store shampoo, conditioner or creams?
Call 0800 2545585, or put your stock list in your quote request when you get a price online. To find a site, see our locations.
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