Items Movers Won't Move | Moving Tips | Long Distance USA Movers

Wondering What Items Movers Won’t Move? Here’s the Answer

Getting rid of items movers won’t move will help you in the long run. When relocating, you don’t only have to prepare the whole relocation process, but you’ll have to pack, too. If you consider that you’ll need about 15-20 boxes for each room of your household, wrapping up something that just can’t be moved would be a waste of time.

One cross-country mover checking the boxes overlay
An average American home has around 300,000 items

When you decide where to live and find the perfect place for you and your family, the planning and organizing relocation comes next. Having an efficient move means you’ll be fully prepared for movers on a moving day. So, between saving money to move and setting the relocation budget, check what professional relocation crew will not be packing into their truck. You know the saying better safe than sorry, so check with professional long-distance movers near me what you shouldn’t pack and get rid of them promptly.

Before Getting to the Packing Process, Learn What Items Movers Won’t Move

No one said it’s going to be easy, but when you know the reason why something needs to be done, the whole process will go more smoothly. For example, you should be familiar with the fact that nail polish or hair spray shouldn’t be in your boxes with other stuff. That way, before beginning with packing, you’ll know what stuff should be set aside.

Not only will you avoid all the negative feelings that might come up. You will not feel disappointed or upset because you lost time preparing and safely storing something that actually can’t be moved.

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Why It’s Important to Know What Items Not to Pack

One of the biggest reasons why people move is to find a better home than they have now. If you’re one of those people, then you need to learn some of the best relocation tips and avoid the unnecessary anxiety about moving out.

Lowering the possibility of depression after moving should be one of your priorities. Although this whole relocation process could be overwhelming, having everything (or almost everything) under control will keep your health and safety under control. That’s why thinking about hazardous and perishable things is important and a step you shouldn’t avoid.

Some Things You Need to Prepare Correctly If You Want to Transport Them Across the Country

Almost every household has some objects that are old and not worth relocating. In that scenario, you can donate old appliances and other stuff you’re not willing to move. Besides unwanted appliances, you probably have some appliances and other objects that are new, and you’ll gladly have them in your future home. But, if they use gas or oil, then the professionals will not move them.

Don’t worry; you can take some steps and make them safe for transport. Just make sure all machines that use the oil or gasoline are drained. And why throw away a perfectly good working fridge when you can just empty and clean it? With only these two steps, it will be ready for transportation.

A close-up photo of a lawnmower before using cross-country moving services overlay
Around 80% of Americans have a lawn, and around 200 million of them own a lawn equipment

Make a Checklist of Things You Can’t Transport During Long-Distance Moving

If you’re moving out for the first time, then creating a to-do list will be more than helpful. However, having a checklist for relocating to a new state is essential for those who moved before, too. Not only will it keep you updated on each and every task you need to do, but it will also help you when it comes to packing up your belongings.

From gathering enough packing supplies to making sure you notify everyone about the move and all the utilities are transferred, this checklist will ensure you don’t pack stuff that can’t be moved. You can, for example, make a sub-list that will contain the next materials as a reminder of what not to pack:

  • Hazardous materials,
  • Flammables,
  • Perishable food,
  • Plants and pets.
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Checklist will help you stay organized before the relocation company comes to load the truck

Hazardous Materials Should Be the First On the Checklist

Avoiding flammables and potentially dangerous items when relocating to a new home is something you haven’t thought about yet, right? It’s completely possible that you’re not even aware of how much stuff like that you actually have at home. Some of us might not even know that a hair spray is an item that is in this flammable group, including nail polish, too.

Since the relocation companies will not risk moving hazardous things in their truck, you should inspect every corner of your house and yard (if you have one) and set aside everything that can be in this group of stuff. That way, you don’t have to worry about if any of that stuff will cause a fire under certain circumstances.

So, avoid putting in jeopardy movers’ lives and your own belongings by not wrapping up the following things:

  • Gasoline and kerosene – you probably know how many accidents are caused by gasoline. So, avoid preparing this kind of stuff for the move.
  • Weapons – laws change from state to state, and most companies will refuse to transport weapons and ammunition.
  • Hair spray and deodorant – these are objects that are very flammable because they contain alcohol. If you’re not sure, read the warning sign on the package.
  • Rubbing alcohol – it’s considered highly flammable in the presence of just heat and sparks. Now imagine what it can do if there’s an open flame.
  • Paint thinners – they are considered flammable because they can easily catch fire.
  • Cleaning supplies – all kinds of cleaning products are not just toxic, but they are flammable, as well.
  • Batteries – not only can batteries catch fire, but they can cause an explosion.
  • Fireworks – we all know what fireworks do when the fire is near. So, it is best to get rid of them before the move.

Understand Why Won’t Movers Move These Materials and How Moving With Them Could Harm You

Don’t think you’re the first who thought about tricking the relocation companies and packing some of the flammables, no matter the precautions. Even if you manage to pack something prohibited, don’t forget it can endanger your belongings and lives, as well.

If something happens, not even moving insurance will save you. So, why take any chances with this kind of stuff when you can have a safe relocation?

In case you’re not sure how to dispose of all of this stuff, you can check with the Environmental Protection Agency Office. They will know the best environment-friendly way to get rid of hazardous things.

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Dispose of everything you won't move correctly

Perishable Food Is a Big No When It Comes to Relocating Across the Country

Understanding the relocation terms and trying to avoid some of the most common relocation mistakes isn’t the easiest thing you have to do. However, when it comes to wrapping up your home, understanding what items a professional relocation company will not move changes everything. That way, you can focus on the things that can be packed and have them safely transported to a new destination.

When it comes to wrapping up your kitchen and pantry, besides dealing with china and pots and pans, you’ll need to think about what to do with all that perishable food. Although perishables aren’t even close to being as dangerous as flammables, you should ensure this stuff won’t be in the truck. Rotten foodstuff has a nasty odor that can’t go away as easily as you might want. So, keep fresh, frozen, and refrigerated foods away from wrapping up materials.

Don’t Throw Food That Isn’t Expired – Donate

Don’t be lazy and just throw all of the good foods away. The hunger rate in America is about 12%, which means almost 40 million people are struggling with food insecurity. Donate all the foods whose expiration date hasn’t passed. Do something good and help those in need by donating to the charity (Goodwill or The Hygiene Bank).

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Did you know that an average American family throws away around 250 pounds of food each year?

Leave Valuables and Important Documents With You

When preparing a bag of relocation essentials, ensure all important stuff, such as valuables, important documents, and family heirlooms, are in it. People tend to get attached to material stuff, like a book, jewelry, or even a piece of furniture (if it is a bulky one, you’ll need to extra protect it since it will not fit in your essentials bag).

So, before you start preparing the essentials, be sure all of your documents are organized. That way, there’s no risk of forgetting IDs, medical certificates, passports. Also, don’t forget to put the keys, credit cards, and cash in a bag that will be with you.

If you need some guidance on preparing and packing the essential bag, watch the video below.

Give Your Plants Second Chance and Leave Them Behind

It is not all in choosing the moving company. Sometimes bad situations can happen even if you take all necessary steps to prevent them. When it comes to relocating the plants, you might reconsider it because no matter how hard you try to protect them, most of them will not come alive to see their future residence. That’s why professionals rather refuse to deal with transporting plants.

However, this doesn’t mean you should just throw them away. There’s always that one plant-loving friend that will gladly adopt your little green jungle.

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Some indoor plants can get quite big and very hard to transport

Relocation Companies Will Not Transport Your Pets

Around 70% of families in the US own a pet. Considering this information, you’re probably wondering how to safely transport your four-legged family members to a future location. Relocating with pets could be challenging if you don’t know some tips to help you survive the whole process.

If you’ve never moved with a pet before, you need to know that relocation companies can’t deal with that task. Law prohibits them from transporting live beings. But, don’t worry – there are ways to transport your furry friend safely.

Consider Transporting Your Pets With You in the Car

Pets are alive and don’t think they can’t understand that a big change is happening. No matter if you’re relocating with a dog or a cat, they need to be prepared for the relocation. On the contrary, they could become anxious, and the relocation process could become just too overwhelming. So, the excellent choice of transportation would be in the car with you.

Even if auto transportation seemed like a great solution, it is better to reconsider relocating with cats. Having your pets near during the transport will give them security and calm them down.

Two cats on the floor after cross-country moving overlay
Keep your furry friends near during transportation

With a List of Things You Shouldn’t Move, Proceed With Calling a Professional Long-Distance Moving Company

When you have a list of stuff that professionals won’t move, you can roll up your sleeves and begin with other relocation tasks. However, don’t forget to check if a moving company is legitimate and if they can help you with the packing services and also a storage facility. Finding reliable long-distance moving services will provide you with an experience you’ll remember even now, during the Coronavirus outbreak.

Julie Grace

Originally from The Golden City, Julie has explored the ins and outs of moving and has written all the tips down.


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