What Not to Pack When Moving Homes

Not only will knowing what not to pack during a move help your relocation go smoothly, but it will also help keep you and the moving company safe. Plus, if you’re hiring a moving company, there are certain items they cannot move to your new home. 

Keep your move damage- and hazard-free by checking out our list of household items that cannot be moved by a moving company: 

What Will Movers Not Pack? 

Whether you’re relocating with a moving company or you’re doing it yourself, avoid packing these item: 

Hazardous Household Items Not to Pack During a Move

These items aren’t just cumbersome, they could be dangerous. Don’t pack these when you prep for your move: 

1. Aerosol cans (regardless of content) 
2. Heating agents (such as Sterno) 
3. Nail polish and nail polish remover. If you have quite the collection and need to take your polish with you, here’s how to pack nail polish for moving: 
   1. Start by getting rid of any empty or old bottles. 
   2. Add a layer of bubble wrap to the bottom of the box in which you’ll put the nail polish.
   3. Roll up each bottle in bubble wrap.
   4. Add tape to keep the bubble wrap closed. 
   5. Place the nail polish in the box.
   6. Ensure there’s not a lot of wiggle room in the box. You can add more bubble wrap, towels, or something else soft to pad the empty space. 
4. Fire extinguisher 
5. Any type of gas in bottles or tanks including propane or oxygen 
6. Paints, varnishes, solvents, thinners and oils 
7. Ammonia, bleach and other household cleaning agents 
8. Chlorine granules or powder 
9. Muriatic acid (also called hydrochloric acid) 
10. Auto batteries
11. Charcoal or lighter fluid 
12. Matches and lighters 
13. Ammunition 
14. Other combustible product

It is unsafe for moving companies (or you) to move these items. It is better just to replace them at your new home—we promise, it is not worth the risk of transporting them. 

Delicate and Important Household Items

Along with hazardous items, there are delicate items you may want to consider packing in your vehicle rather than the moving truck. These items include: 

• Family photos
• Jewelry
• Heirlooms
• Collections (coins, stamps, etc.)
• Cash
• Documents like deeds, medical records and wills for example 

Bekins has an exceptional track record, however accidents can happen. In the case that an item is lost or damaged, we offer valuation protection. However, it is important to keep those priceless, sentimental items that can’t be replaced with you in your own vehicle. 

Items Movers Won’t Move That May Surprise You

Hazardous items and sentimental belongings can’t be moved for obvious reasons. However, a few of the items on this next list may have you scratching your head. Here are a few surprising items your movers may not touch and the reasons why: 

Household Plants 

If you’re moving to a new state, keep reading. Depending on where you’re coming from and where you’re headed, movers may not be able to bring your plants across state lines. This is meant to minimize the spread of harmful insects, diseases and pests. Before you pack and prepare for your move, check to see what your new home state allows. 

Food

Got milk? Drink it. Got leftovers? Eat it. If you’ve got perishable food you will either need to throw it away or eat it before you leave. Not only do you likely not want to move with food, but most moving companies won’t move it for you. 

However, if you’ve got non-perishable food, like canned goods, your movers can take those during the relocation. Bekins is also involved with Move For Hunger, so even if you don’t want to take your non-perishable items, they don’t have to go to waste.

Dirty or Dusty Furniture