The Definitive List of Items Movers Won’t Move

Even though cross country movers like to say that they will relocate everything for you, they don’t actually mean every single thing. There’s a list of items movers won’t move, and it might not be that obvious what’s included on it. If you want to be fully prepared for your upcoming professional long-distance moving services, check out what won’t movers move.

Long-distance moving is a hassle, and it can be hard to avoid all the possible relocation mistakes, even if you learn all the moving tips out there. You have to check how to get a job in a new city or perhaps how to find a job after college while simultaneously finding practical packing tips for moving in a hurry. No one said it’s going to be easy, but it’s possible to get organized to move with some helpful info. One of them is knowing what not to pack when moving, and we can help you with that.

It’s Useful to Learn Which Items Movers Won’t Move

It might seem like too much work, but knowing a thing or two about the relocation industry is beneficial if you wish to have a stress-free move. For example, knowing the answer to the questions Will movers move laundry detergent or Does everything need to be boxed for movers can help you prepare and have a much more efficient move. Each long-distance moving company has its own rules, but the list of non-allowable objects on the relocation truck is common for all of them. Remembering what’s on that list is one of the things to do before you move.

Why Do Companies Avoid Moving Some Materials?

Sometimes people get confused when they hear that they can’t bring something with them when relocating to a new state and don’t understand why that is. The reason behind that is the logistics of long-distance relocation. Companies don’t just take your stuff and take it immediately to your new destination. Instead, the most common scenario is that your belongings will be in a storage unit for some time and then shipped across the country in a large truck where they will share space with other people’s possessions. Because of that, clients wait for weeks before they receive their belongings. Certain objects can’t be left that long in the dark without enough air, or they can’t be tumbled around with the rest of the boxes. Also, the objects movers won’t relocate aren’t eligible for moving insurance, so you can’t protect them during the transport.

Any Dangerous or Hazardous Material Can’t Be Loaded on a Moving Truck

Forget about relocating any object that’s toxic, explosive, or flammable – all of that is considered dangerous and can cause trouble. If anything spills, it will damage other things on the truck, and it can potentially cause a fire and explosion. To keep your possessions in one piece and not put anyone in danger, do not pack any of the following:

• Gasoline,
• Fireworks,
• Bleach,
• Pesticides,
• Acids,
• Poisons,
• Chemicals (cleaning products, pool chemicals, darkroom chemicals, and alike),
• Paints,
• Thinners,
• Batteries with acid,
• Nail polish and nail polish removers,
• Matches,
• Lighter fluid,
• Motor oil,
• Anti-freeze,
• Kerosene,
• Lamp oil,
• Aerosoles,
• Fire extinguishers,
• Fertilizer,
• Guns and ammunition,
• Propane tanks.

If you own any power equipment containing fuel, drain the fuel at least 24 hours before the relocation crew arrives. Anything that has a full container of gas or fuel in the tank can’t be moved either.

Hazardous Items Movers Won’t Move Should Be Disposed of Properly

When the professional crew arrives at your home, you can’t just leave your home with all of these items lying around. Since dangerous and hazardous things can’t just be thrown in the trash like the regular stuff or poured down the drain under any circumstance, you’ll have to check with your local community and your state how to get rid of them. Go online or ask around where the nearest place where you can dispose of dangerous materials, liquids, and objects is. For example, the ADCO Company offers disposal services. After proper disposal, you’ll be able to continue making your household inventory list that doesn’t include anything hazardous.

The Next One on the List of Things You Can’t Relocate Is Food

If you’re getting cross-country moving services, relocating what you have in your fridge and freezer is simply not possible. Your food will rot, get moldy, leak, and become inedible by the time you arrive, even if you’re just relocating to a new home in the neighboring state. It would be best to make a big dinner for all of your friends and family and use everything you have in your fridge. This is also a perfect way to say goodbye to the people you love and spend some quality time with them before you leave. Just bear in mind the number of people you’ve invited due to the Corona pandemic. Another option would be to contact a charity or some other kind of non-profit organization that will accept donations in perishable food, such as the Feeding America Food Bank. You can find the nearest one and give them a call to see if they’re able to accept your donation, and after that, focus on learning how to move a refrigerator you’ve defrosted, washed, and emptied.

Perishable Food Is a No, but Non-Perishables Can Be Moved

You’ll have to get rid of all the leftovers and frozen food in your freezer, but not everything edible has to be eaten or donated. All of the canned food that isn’t open can be moved to another state. Your spices, dried fruits, oils, and everything else that’s well preserved can be wrapped well and placed in plastic containers or boxes. Get enough quality packing paper, cover each can properly and you’ll be good to go. To be one hundred percent sure that nothing will go bad until you arrive, check the expiration date on each package before you place it in a box and seal it.

Live Plants and Pets Aren’t Allowed on the Truck Either

For anything alive, you’ll have to think of an alternative way to relocate them to another location. There isn’t enough light or fresh air on the truck and in the storage, so live plants can’t survive the trip. The same goes for pets. There wouldn’t be anyone to give them food or water, and it would be extremely stressful for them to be on a relocation truck for days.

If you’re relocating with pets, take them with you. Animals don’t like change, so they will need you to take care of them and give them comfort. If you’re traveling by vehicle, organize your trip so that you stay at pet-friendly places and take frequent breaks. If you decide to relocate by air, call the airline company you chose and see what their policies are for animals. Also, don’t forget to visit your veterinarian to get all the necessary documentation.

As for the plants, try to fit them in your vehicle as well. It can seem impossible, but there are ways. After all, if you’ve spent years taking care of all of your vegetation, it would be a shame to just leave it behind. In the video below, you can see how to travel with plants and relocate them to another state.

Move Your Valuable Stuff by Yourself

Anything you find irreplaceable and too valuable to lose shouldn’t be left on a relocation truck. Even when you learn how to choose a relocation company and hire expert long-distance movers, there’s still no 100% guarantee that everything will go perfectly. There are situations where shipments on trucks get damaged without human error and some of them can’t be predicted. That’s why you should follow one of the oldest and most important relocation hacks and keep everything valuable with you. Once you start making your packing list, exclude all of the following:

• Jewelry,
• Cash,
• Keys,
• Checkbooks,
• Laptops,
• Tablets,
• Cell phones,
• Personal documents,
• Medical and dental records,
• High-value objects,
• Antiques,
• School records,
• Financial statements,
• Airline tickets.

Leave Your Essentials in a Bag That You’ll Carry With You at All Times

For an ultimately easygoing move, it would be best to have a bag with all of your relocation essentials. Looking for your documents at the bottom of some suitcase five minutes before the crew arrives is simply a nightmare and causes a great deal of relocation stress. So learn how to organize important documents at home and have them with you in a bag, along with all other valuable and confidential things. This also applies to the electronics that you need for work or that contain important private data. Take a look at what the easiest way to pack a computer is and keep it with you during the trip.

Don’t forget that essentials aren’t only expensive items but also objects that have sentimental value to you. If you have something you find priceless, don’t leave it on a relocation truck. That includes family photo albums, home videos, or anything that has special value to you.

If You’re Having Any Kind of Dilemma, It’s Best to Contact the Company You’re Using

If anything on this list seems confusing or you’re stuck with some kind of item that you aren’t sure about, the ideal solution is to call the company you plan on using and to ask them. They’re the best ones to address that question and to give you some further advice if needed. Aside from getting guidance on cross-country moving services, you can also get more information on auto transport and professional packing services for your household goods. Using high-quality packing supplies, the relocation crew will safely move all of your possessions and deliver them to you. The only thing left for you is to safely dispose of all the objects that are mentioned as non-allowable and to enjoy your relocation.