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What NOT to Pack When Moving [Video]
Moving soon? Get organized with our free moving checklist.
Check out our video which outlines everything you shouldn’t pack on the moving truck. You can also find all of our suggestions below.
To help you avoid a moving-day headache, we’ve created a handy list of what not to pack when moving. Here’s the quick overview — read on for the details.
Do not pack on the moving truck:
- Ammonia
- Batteries
- Bleach
- Fireworks
- Gasoline and kerosene
- Lighter fluids
- Matches
- Motor oil
- Nail polish remover
- Paint and varnish
- Propane tanks
- Signal flares
- Sternos
- Aerosol sprays
- Oxygen tanks
- Fire extinguishers
- Weed killers and other gardening chemicals
- Insecticides/pesticides
- Cleaning chemicals
- Pool chemicals
- Food stored in glass jars or Tupperware
- Food in containers that can be easily crushed or leak
- Fresh produce
- Frozen food
- Alcohol
- Charcoal briquettes
- Guns and ammunition
- Houseplants
- Pets
Consider keeping off the moving truck:
- Address book
- Cash
- Cellphones
- Collectibles like coin or stamp collections
- Family photos and home movies
- Fragile antiques
- Jewelry
- Laptops
- Bill of lading and other moving documents
- Car titles
- Checkbooks
- Financial/tax/insurance documents
- Housing documents
- Personal identification
- Medical records
- Your essentials box
Items you can’t pack on a moving truck
To keep the moving crew and your belongings safe during transit, there’s a wide variety of items that you can’t pack on a moving truck. These items fall into a few basic categories — from flammable materials to household chemicals — and include plenty of common items you’ll need to deal with before moving.
Flammable and combustible items
Everyday cleaning, beauty, and potentially flammable items are safe when stored in your garage, workshop, or under your sink, but they are perfect examples of what not to pack when moving. Even though they are harmless when stored properly, they pose a threat on the moving truck which can reach high temperatures in the summer. There are also laws that govern what items your moving company can and cannot transport across state lines.
Here are some common flammable and combustible items you can’t pack on your moving truck:
- Ammonia
- Batteries – specifically lead-acid batteries, here are some examples
- Bleach
- Fireworks
- Gasoline and kerosene
- Lighter fluids
- Matches
- Motor oil
- Nail polish remover
- Paint and varnish
- Propane tanks
- Signal flares
- Sternos
Compressed gases and poisons
Gardeners, pool owners, and anyone with a fire extinguisher will tell you that these items are common in most homes. Once you have these items identified and safely packed away, plan to transport them yourself during or after moving day.
Here are the compressed gases and poisons to look out for:
- Aerosol sprays – includes spray paint, spray cleaners, and hairspray
- Oxygen tanks
- Fire extinguishers
- Weed killers and other gardening chemicals
- Insecticides/pesticides
- Cleaning chemicals – includes adhesive removers, carpet and rust cleaners, and bathroom cleaners
- Pool chemicals
Perishables
Leave the food behind to avoid pests and making a mess. If you’re preparing to move with a professional moving company, ask if they partner with Move For Hunger, a service that collects your nonperishable food items during your move and donates them to charity.
Here’s a list of perishable food items you should not pack on the moving truck:
- Food stored in glass jars or Tupperware
- Food in containers that can be easily crushed or leak
- Fresh produce
- Frozen food
Hidden pests
Speaking of unwanted pests, there is another pest you must check for on your outdoor items before you move: the gypsy moth. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, if you’re moving from an area native to gypsy moths, you must inspect all outdoor items for signs of this destructive moth in all stages of its life cycle. Check this map to see if you live in a quarantine area and print out their self-inspection checklist for all of your outdoor household items.
Miscellaneous
People moving are often surprised that they are not allowed to take the contents of their liquor cabinet on the moving truck. Ask your moving company about their policies regarding transporting alcohol. If they don’t allow it, it may mean you’ll serve some extra cocktails at your going away party. You should also never plan to send your pets on the moving truck, whether they’re lizards, fish, or even just houseplants.
Here are some other miscellaneous items on the list of what not to pack when moving:
- Alcohol
- Charcoal briquettes
- Guns and ammunition – includes replicas and antique weapons
- Houseplants
- Pets
Things you might not want to pack on the moving truck
In addition to the items mentioned above that you can’t pack on the moving, there are also items you might choose to keep off of the moving truck. You may choose to exclude them to ensure they remain safe during the trip or you may need access to some items during or directly after your move. Whatever the case, here’s what you might choose not to pack on the moving truck.
Sentimental and valuable items
To keep your most treasured belongings safe, it’s a good idea to not pack sentimental and valuable items on the moving truck. Instead, keep them with you during your move. These items include family heirlooms, electronics, or any personal items that are irreplaceable. If you’re not able to transport large items like antiques yourself, make note of them to your moving company and ask if they will help you wrap and secure these items during the move.
Here are some sentimental and valuable items you might avoid packing on a moving truck:
- Address book
- Cash – perfect for tipping your moving crew
- Cellphones
- Collectibles like coin or stamp collections
- Family photos and home movies
- Fragile antiques
- Jewelry
- Laptops
Important documents
When you’re deciding what not to pack when moving, you should consider keeping all personal documents and identification with you. This includes documents from your insurance company or healthcare provider, your personal identification, and all of the documents associated with your move. Your moving contract contains valuable information you’ll want to have easily accessible, so keep it off of the moving truck, too.
- Bill of lading and other moving documents – here’s an overview of the bill of lading and other moving terms
- Car titles
- Checkbooks
- Financial/tax/insurance documents
- Housing documents – deeds
- Personal identification – Photo IDs, passports, Social Security cards
- Medical records
Essentials box
If you’re moving to a new house or apartment, you’re going to want to keep essential items handy for your first days in your new home. Having an essentials box full of everyday comforts on standby is crucial to getting by during your first few days in your new home.
Here’s what to pack in your open-first box:
- Comfortable change of clothes
- Comfortable shoes
- Deodorant
- Pet food
- Phone charger
- Prescription drugs
- Sheets, blankets, and pillows
- Shower curtain and liner
- Small toolkit
- Soap, shampoo, and conditioner
- Toilet paper
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Towels
- T-shirt for sleeping
- Water bottle
Now that you have a solid list of what not to pack when moving, you’re prepared to assemble everything you can take on the moving truck. Check out these tips for getting everything else packed up.
Although it may sound like there are a lot of items that can’t go on the moving truck, these items will make up only a small percentage of what you move. Following these guidelines will keep your belongings (and moving crew) safe during their trip. Happy moving!
Moving soon? Get organized with our free moving checklist.
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