Do’s & Don’ts: What NOT To Pack For Your AZ Move

Avoid These Common Packing Mistakes To Save Time & Reduce Stress On Moving Day

Planning a move in Arizona comes with a lot of details, and knowing what not to pack is just as important as deciding what to bring. Some items can cause delays, safety risks, or added stress if they end up in your moving boxes. From hazardous household products like bleach and acids to fragile items that could easily get lost, avoiding these common packing mistakes will save you time and headaches on moving day. 

Use this guide from our Gilbert moving company to learn the key do’s and don’ts so your AZ move goes as smoothly as possible.

Hazardous Materials To Avoid Packing

The first thing you should avoid transporting with a moving company is hazardous materials that could damage the environment, other items, or even a person during the relocation. Here’s a list of some of them:

• Lighters and matches
• Lighter fluid, gas, oil, and propane
• Any petroleum products
• Lawn equipment containing gas or oil
• Antifreeze, motor oil, and other automotive fluids
• Firearms and ammunition
• Fireworks
• Acids
• Ammonia
• Poisons
• Pool chemicals
• Bleach
• Paints and paint thinners (including nail polish)
• Pool chemicals
• Fire extinguishers
• Car batteries
• Drinking alcohol

This is just a sample list, and there may be many more items that are considered dangerous or hazardous and that should not be packed. Don’t try to sneak these items into some boxes without saying anything. There could be a spill or an explosion that could cause a fire or seriously injure someone.

As for small but dangerous items like nail polish or lighters, consider transporting them yourself in a small box or bag (properly sealed) if necessary, especially if any of these items have a valuable or emotional price for you. Otherwise, you could simply dispose of them properly and buy new ones after moving. 

Why You Shouldn’t Pack Perishable Foods For Your Move

Your local moving company will likely agree to move your perishable foods across town, but if you are moving out of state, plan to eat up those foods before you leave. Otherwise, the food is likely to go bad while they are in transit, and that will create a messy and smelly ride. 

Food can also attract pests and rodents, which can become problematic for future moves. Not to mention it is also a perfect magnet for mold, which can spread to your other belongings if kept in the truck for too long.

Try to clean out your fridge before you move, even if you plan to just move across town. It’s easier, and it will reduce your overall moving costs anyway.

What You Should Know About Moving Plants & pets

Not only is it not a good idea to try to transport plants, but the law actually forbids moving certain plants more than 150 miles away, even with a professional moving company. The reason is that plants can harbor parasites and pests that can be dangerous to agriculture in other parts of the country. 

Simply put, it’s quite tricky to move plants interstate or in long-distance relocations. It’s still possible to move indoor plants though, but you must guarantee they are free of insects and in a commercially prepared potting mix. Otherwise, you need a valid certification that guarantees the plants are pest-free. 

It’s also just not a good idea to transport plants because the move can be very stressful for them, killing most—if not all—of the plants if you’re not extremely careful when relocating them. 

If you are moving a short distance, you may want to take a few of your plants with you. You’ll likely just have to put them in your own car to make the trip. As for the rest, you can put them in the ground or give them away instead. 

Regarding pets, keep in mind that the best idea is to always have them by your side when moving. That’s because most moving companies do not offer to move your pet. They have a moving truck for your belongings, but they don’t have a specialty space for transporting pets safely. 

You will have to either move your pet in a designated crate in your car, or you will have to purchase a plane ticket for your pet if you are moving a long distance. One last option is to hire specialty pet movers, as they have the necessary space to transport pets safely.

Protecting Your Irreplaceable Items

Sentimental items are not prohibited by your moving company, but it may be smart to keep these items out of the boxes you hand over to the movers. Though the professionals have the skill and the safeguards in place to protect your items, accidents do still happen, and you don’t want to lose precious photographs or other sentimental items as a result. 

Some items that you might want to keep close during your move include:

• Cash and credit cards
• Birth certificates, passports, marriage licenses, and other personal documents
• Photos
• Jewelry and other valuables
• Family heirlooms
• Special artwork

You might consider putting this in a special bag that you keep with you on the plane or in a small box you carry in your car.

Do’s & Don’ts For a Smooth Transition

Here’s a checklist of the do’s and don’ts you should consider when moving out: 

Do’s:

✅ Keep valuables (documents, jewelry, cash) with you

✅ Use sturdy boxes and packing supplies

✅ Pack only sealed, non-perishable foods

✅ Review your mover’s restricted items list

Don’ts:

❌ Don’t pack hazardous materials (paint, fuel, chemicals)

❌ Don’t include perishable or open food

❌ Don’t expect movers to handle pets or plants

❌ Don’t load irreplaceable heirlooms or sensitive paperwork in the truck

Hire Trusted Movers To Guarantee A Safe & Smooth Move

The most important thing you can do to keep your valuables safe is to hire a reputable moving company in Gilbert that is well-known and trusted in your community. Then talk to your moving company about the list of items that are not allowed and what provisions are available for transporting those items instead.

A to Z Valleywide Movers is ready to help if you are moving within Arizona or from Arizona to another state. We’ll work with you to ensure that all your belongings get to your new home safely. We handle both residential and commercial moves, and we can handle a move of any size. Contact us today to get a free estimate for your move.