We understand that moving is quite a difficult task and trying to figure out what to take and what to leave behind makes the move a little bit more stressful. It also happens that when moving, we always want to take every little thing whether it's essential or not, but this is not the right way to go as it is understandably not possible to take everything with you. We have therefore come up with a few tips and tricks on what not to pack when moving.

Follow the tips and you’ll be on the right path to packing exactly what’s needed when moving.

Important documents

This is a very important point to note. It’s always essential to remember all important documents when moving; these include IDs, passports, wills, bills of lading, school records, medical records, titles, etc. Important documents need to be kept in your person during the move because packing them in a moving truck could potentially be a high loss risk or get misplaced in the boxes and furniture.

It is also important to keep them with you as you may need them during the trip in case of emergency or if something else comes up that needs you to produce identity etc. Therefore; it is VERY IMPORTANT to keep them with you during the move.

Bleach, Detergents, and other cleaners

These can cause major damage and fumes in the truck or even worse, may cause an explosion if mixed with other chemicals while the truck is in motion. This is a danger to the drivers and to the rest of the furniture. It is advisable to leave these behind when moving and buy new ones after the move and as the saying goes “it's always better to be safe than sorry”.

Fertilizers

They are highly flammable and don’t do well in hot conditions so it’s best to avoid packing them as they pose a dangerous risk. If you have to take them with you; consider the weather/season as it may be better to move these items in the winter or ask for a truck with a cooler to keep them stable in the right temperature for a safe trip.

Frozen foods, partially used food, and produce

It is a bad idea to pack frozen foods in the moving truck as they will thaw and lose their freshness. If you have frozen food or open and partially used food and produce, better donate the food to charity, or church or give it to the homeless/homeless shelter in your city before the move.

If all that isn’t possible; it may be a good idea to invite friends over for dinner maybe a day or two before the move and cook as much of that food for dinner as possible. Do not pack any dairy products too as they go bad quickly. It could also help if you stop buying groceries at least one week before moving.

Medication and medical devices

Before the move, talk to your doctor and let them know about your plan to move, or your pharmacist and have them move your prescription to your new city or home town. The same goes for medical devices such as blood pressure monitors, nebulizers, etc, this will make everything easier and less stressful for both you and the movers.

Don’t forget to take medication for your pets and do the same by contacting their vet and letting them know about the move. Also, it’s important to remember to keep medication with you during the move for unexpected emergencies or in case you get a headache. This can happen as moving is sometimes a bit stressful. It's better to be prepared for the worst. Take enough medication for your children as well.

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Bring all necessary medications

Garage chemical

These include car batteries, antifreeze, brake fluid, paint thinner, engine oil, etc. Chemicals are extremely flammable and are a very big hazard as they can leak and leakage may cause a fire and explosions; so it's best not to pack them when moving. Always remember to put safety first for you and the movers as well.

Items of high value

These are items that the moving company may not be able to replace if anything bad happens during the move. You can use a small safe or box to keep these important items. Examples of the items are:

Money
Family photo album
Laptops and computers
Social security cards
Keys
Jewelry
Collectables (stamps, coins, game cards)
Bank cards

You should always keep these with you as losing them will be a nightmare. It's important to remember not to pack last minute. These should be the very first things you put in your bag that you’re taking with you so they don’t end up getting mixed up with the rest of the stuff/ boxes going into the moving truck.

Beauty products

Acetone, nail polish remover. Some beauty items are flammable thus they are very high risk to transport. Buy new products once you’ve moved or carry them with you instead.

Guns and ammunition

Very important to note this. The law forbids the shipment and transportation of guns and ammunition and other explosives. Be prepared and read about the law so you’re aware of gun laws in your state before approaching a moving company for a quote or inquiry. You are however able to transport your licensed gun and ammunition by yourself. For this reason, it is important to check the law of the state so you know exactly what to pack before moving.

Pets

Your pets cannot be transported in the moving truck because it is both dangerous and violates the law. Proper transportation should be with you in a cage and not with the moving truck. You could also fly with your pet, just make sure you check with your airline for pet transportation rules.

Another option would be to contact a professional pet moving/courier company this is possibly the best solution especially if it’s a long-distance move. Remember to also take any medication your pet may need during the move.

Old unused items

These could be anything that's “new”, but hasn’t been used or opened in over a year. If you bought something and you haven’t used it in a year it means you forgot about it or don't NEED it so better give it away to someone who will use it. This will also help declutter what you don't need.

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‍Some more prohibited items that you must not pack when moving are:

‍• Acids, ammonia, aerosol cans, deodorants, charcoal, disinfectants, fire extinguishers, fireworks, fuel-operated yard equipment, gasoline, kerosene, petroleum products, liquor (alcohol), pesticides, weed killers, poisons, pool chemicals, propane tanks, dyes, matches, black powder, contraband, adhesives, lighter fluid, varnish, and weed killer.

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Extra ideas of what not to pack

Old clothes that don’t fit or that you don't wear anymore
Anything broke or none fixable.
Books that you’re done reading, (donate these to a library or give them away to friends and family)
Items of no value

We know that some of the items mentioned you probably never think about and don’t ever think they could pose a danger in the moving truck.

Prepare and do as much research as you can before your move not to get overwhelmed. We know that moving isn't easy, so knowing a few tips and tricks will help in a major way and give you peace of mind.

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‍Conclusion

‍All the above are a few very important tips for things you shouldn’t pack when moving. The items mentioned could potentially pose a great risk for both you and the movers. You should put your and others' safety first. The next time you plan a move, make sure you know what not to pack. This will ease the stress and help you plan carefully.

Follow the laws of your state and take everything into consideration including the area you’re moving to and the season.

‍Summary

‍Moving companies know what’s allowed to move and what is not. Having an inventory list just to keep a proper record of all your belongings helps you not make the mistake of packing non-valuable items. Keep the inventory list with you at all times. Once you’ve moved in and settled into your new home, it’ll come in very handy.

Organizing and documenting everything makes a move successful. At Capital City movers, we can answer any questions you may have regarding your move. Our team of experts and professional movers will make sure that you feel at ease and make your move as smooth and stress-free as possible. We hope this has helped guide you on what not to pack when moving. When you’re ready to move, feel free to contact us by browsing through our website for more information or give us a call at (718) 619-4881