Packing every last thing into a box feels productive, until the movers arrive and tell you half of it cannot go on the truck. Some items are dangerous in a hot, closed truck. Others are too valuable, too personal or too perishable to risk. This guide lists what not to pack when moving, what to do with each item instead, and how to get ready so moving day runs smoothly.
Why Some Items Stay Off the Truck
A moving truck can get very hot, it is packed tightly and it is on the road for hours. That is a bad place for anything flammable, explosive or likely to leak. Other items just cannot be replaced, such as your passport or your grandmother’s ring. Most moving companies have a list of items they will not transport, and it is worth asking yours for it. If you are unsure about an item, ask before you pack it.
Hazardous Items Not to Pack
- Propane tanks and grill cylinders
- Gasoline, kerosene, lighter fluid and charcoal starter
- Paint, paint thinner and stain
- Cleaning products such as bleach and ammonia
- Aerosol cans and pressurized containers
- Fireworks, ammunition and flares
- Pesticides, fertilizer and pool chemicals
- Car batteries and loose lithium batteries
- Fire extinguishers
- Matches and lighters
What to do instead: use them up, give them to a neighbor or take them to a household hazardous waste drop-off. Check with your city or county for collection days. Do not pour chemicals down a drain or put them in the trash. If you have a lot to clear out, our junk removal service can help with the non-hazardous items.
Perishable Food and Plants
- Perishable food: refrigerated and frozen food will spoil and can attract pests. Eat it down in the weeks before the move.
- Open food and spills: open containers and liquids leak and make a mess.
- Live plants: heat, darkness and lack of water can kill them, and some cannot ride on a truck. Our plant parent’s moving guide shows how to move them safely.
Items to Carry With You
Even if a mover is willing to take them, keep these with you:
- Important documents: passports, birth certificates, Social Security cards, leases, mortgage and closing papers, car titles and tax records
- Valuables: jewelry, cash, watches and family keepsakes
- Medications and medical records, including prescriptions and supplies you need every day
- Electronics: laptops, phones, chargers, external drives and anything with sensitive data
- Keys and garage remotes for both homes
- An essentials bag: a change of clothes, toiletries, phone chargers, basic tools and snacks for the first night
Pets and Children
Pets and kids never ride on the truck. Arrange a sitter or a quiet room, and pack their essentials separately. See our guides to moving with pets in Virginia and moving with kids.
Items Worth Asking About
Some things can be moved, but they need special handling or a conversation first:
- Pianos, safes and heavy fitness equipment
- Large art and antiques. See our post on moving high-value art
- Wine, which can spoil in heat and may be limited by company policy
- Firearms and ammunition, which must follow federal and Virginia law
- Items already covered by your own insurance policy
Our post on specialty items covers more of these.
How to Prepare for the Movers
Once you have set aside what stays off the truck, use this checklist to get everything else ready:
- Finish packing before the crew arrives: Seal and label every box, and keep the essentials bag with you.
- Set aside the “do not move” items in a closet or room, and tell the crew leader which room it is.
- Empty and defrost the refrigerator and freezer a day ahead, and drain hoses on washers.
- Clear the path: Move cars from the driveway, open gates and clear stairs and hallways.
- Reserve parking or an elevator if you live in an apartment or condo.
- Photograph valuable furniture and electronics before the crew starts.
- Be there, or have a trusted person there, to answer questions and do a final walk-through.
For more advice from the crew’s point of view, read what movers wish you knew.
Ready for a straight answer on your move? Call Cavalier Moving at (804) 404-8048 or request a free estimate. We are open 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Frequently Asked Questions
What items will movers not take?
Most movers will not take flammable or explosive items, corrosive chemicals, perishable food, live plants, pets, and cash, jewelry and important documents. Ask your mover for their specific list.
Can I leave clothes in the dresser drawers?
Often yes for lightweight clothes, but check with your movers first. Heavy or fragile items should come out, and drawers may need to be locked or wrapped.
Can movers move my cleaning supplies?
Usually not, because many cleaning products are hazardous. Use them up or take them with you in your own car, tightly sealed and upright.
Do I need to empty my refrigerator before the movers come?
Yes. Empty and defrost the refrigerator and freezer at least a day before. Our guide to moving a refrigerator explains how.
What should I keep with me on moving day?
Documents, valuables, medications, electronics, keys and an essentials bag for the first night.