What NOT to pack when movingHousehold cleaners. Cash, wills, deeds, jewelry and other valuables. This list not only includes obvious things like ammunition and gasoline, but also seemingly innocuous items such as nail polish and children's chemistry sets. Although it is not dangerous, the moving company will also include perishable food and personal or sentimental items.
If your move will be picked up and delivered within 24 hours, the moving company may allow the transport of perishable goods provided they are properly packed. Wondering how to pack for a move the right way? You might be surprised to learn that it's just as important to pay attention to what doesn't need to be packed as it is to what does. Sure, there are tons of recommendations on how to pack your house (like these tried-and-true moving and packing tips from the PODS blog), but what often gets less attention is what you shouldn't pack when you move in. So from flammable materials to herbicides, here are some ammunition to avoid packaging errors and move safely.
And yes, ammunition is also on the list. However, we urge you to skip the shortcut and get rid of perishable items or find another method of transportation. Of course, no one likes to pay a big supermarket bill to stock up on a new kitchen, but bags can leak, glass can break, spice jars can explode, all kinds of potentially messy acts can happen if you pack perishable goods. Not to mention, pests can easily chew on a cardboard box to get to your snack stash.
If there are certain things you would like to transport to your new home, use a cooler or cooler bags instead. But what about unopened items? Dry, sealed food is probably OK to be transported in boxes, but may break during transport. You can also try to pack your cans, but even they are not dent proof. To avoid setbacks, consider donating what is not appropriate to move to a local food pantry.
For everything else, clean the refrigerator and freezer at least 24 hours before moving day. Speaking of insects and other pests, plants aren't the only way these uninvited guests can sneak into your moving truck and into your new home. Department of Agriculture requires homeowners or qualified professionals living in a quarantined area to inspect household items before moving to a non-infested area. This is like when your mother told you not to run with scissors.
You probably weren't tempted to do it, but it doesn't hurt to have a safety reminder. When ammunition and fireworks are hot, they can explode. They must be kept separate from firearms and in an air-conditioned space. Household cleaners should also not be packed in moving boxes because they are likely to contain ammonia or bleach.
When chemicals from the moving truck are combined with these cleaners, they can emit dangerous fumes, cause a fire, or become fatal gases. Unpacking may take a little longer than expected, so be prepared to spend a few days or even weeks sorting the boxes. It can take a long time to look for that electric toothbrush. To avoid breaking all boxes labeled “Bathroom”, leave out the things you know you'll need during the first week in your new home.
This may include clothing, toiletries, personal electronics, chargers, and prescription drugs. Do you want to make it even easier for you? Pack things inside a transparent bin or container to determine exactly where the items are. This isn't a moving requirement, but packing is a lot of work, so why spend valuable time packing and carrying things that can't be used or can't be used in your new home? LB Gabriel is a freelance writer who lives with her husband, daughter and Golden Retriever in Memphis, TN. A frequent contributor to the PODS blog, she loves any advice you can find on downsizing, reducing clutter or minimalist living.
When she's not on a deadline, you can find her on a tennis court or golf course. Save my name, email and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Mayflower encourages you to read the following information before packing so that you can separate these prohibited items from the rest of your belongings. If you have questions about a particular item, please contact your Mayflower moving coordinator for clarification.
Before dumping everyday household items in new moving boxes, evaluate whether it's safe to pack them. Add the moving company's policies on what they are going to move and what not, along with state laws on what can and cannot be transported across state lines, and you'll need a little help figuring out what to pack. You should also not pack anything in the moving truck that you may need during the course of the move or when you first arrive at your new home. You've done due diligence with planning and scheduling your next move, and now you're ready to start packing.
If packaged securely and possibly removed from breakable pots, indoor and outdoor plants move easily around town. Many people are surprised to discover that a smart moving experience starts with the packing phase and is often with you, the customer. Now that you have a solid list of what not to pack when you move, you're ready to put together everything you can carry on the moving truck. To keep movers and belongings safe during transit, there are a variety of items you can't pack in a moving truck.
Cross-country movers often have a checklist for moving with dangerous goods they can't move, and they're likely to refuse too. These items are capable of causing fires by themselves, exploding, burning or otherwise destroying what is packed in the truck and everything around them. When preparing to pack when you move, reserve a brightly colored folder (with tab dividers) or a folder for your moving checklist and keep all your documents in one place. Daily cleanliness, beauty, and potentially flammable items are safe when stored in the garage, workshop or under the sink, but they're perfect examples of what you shouldn't pack when you move in.
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