What Not To Pack When Moving

What Not To Pack When Moving

July 29, 2025

Relocating to a new address is an exciting idea, but moving there involves a lot of planning and packing. Organizational experts when giving moving tips say that it’s a great opportunity to declutter your life and finally part ways with things that you don’t want or need anymore. So while knowing what to pack is an important skill, being aware of what to avoid packing can be just as crucial.

Packing Tips For What Not To Pack

Young hispanic woman moving to a new home sitting on the floor tired rubbing nose and eyes feeling fatigue and headache. stress and frustration concept.

Here’s a good list of household things that should not be boxed up or go into the truck.

Dangerous Items

Any product that is highly flammable or dangerous should not be packed for the move.  Having all of your worldly possessions (and the truck) go up in flames is not a great way to start your journey.

  • Alcohol
  • Matches, lighter fluid or solid fuel products
  • Household chemicals
  • Weapons or ammunition
  • Nail Polish & Remover
  • Batteries
  • Motor Oil or Gasoline
  • Fertilizer
  • Garden Chemicals
  • Propane tanks

Packing Recipes For Disaster

Many people do not think about this next topic and then often regret it later. When asked for moving tips, professionals often discourage people from taking certain types of food from one location to another. The following types of food can not only spoil in transit, but also be a vehicle for bugs, insects, and even rodents.

  • Produce
  • Open boxes of food
  • Frozen or perishable food
  • Herbs grown in the garden
  • Food with old expiration dates

 Nobody likes to think about wasting food. If there are some perishables that you know for sure are not going to cause any problems on the other end, fill up your ice cooler and take the products with you in the car. However, for the most part, it’s best to stay away from transporting food that might cause you big problems later on.

Stuff You’ll Need Now

Piepho mover holding box for an expert moving.

Almost everyone has products or items that they use daily. While you may just want to throw these things in a box and tape it up, it’s hard to tell where the items will wind up on the truck.  Here’s a good list of things you should take with you in the car or have very handy when you arrive.

  • Medications
  • Toiletries
  • Pet Items
  • Baby Items
  • Toys/Games for Children
  • Clothing for near future use
  • Bedding
  • Coats/Jackets/Gloves

In addition, many security experts advise that when moving, you should not put any items on the truck that have monetary value such as currency, jewelry, coin collections and stock certificates. Moving can be an exciting beginning to a new chapter in life. While it’s not always fun to pack up all your belongings, starting the process with some basic moving tips in mind will help make the journey a successful one.

Contact Us in Minneapolis – St. Paul

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For additional details about moving to or from the Minneapolis, MN area, visit Piepho Moving & Storage today! We are your trusted Minneapolis, MN movers 

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