When you’re getting ready for that big move in NYC, the less you bring the better. But after spending most of your savings and money on actual moving, you probably don’t want to replace everything once you move into your new place. While hiring a good moving company can help reduce a lot of your stress when it comes to the entire process, you should be aware that there are a few items they won’t move.
So why won’t they move these items? In general it’s for safety reasons. So whether you’re using professional movers or moving on your own, you should avoid transporting these items. You should contact your movers directly to get their full non-allowables list.
Flammables and Explosives
Maybe you’ve carried around that can of paint from one apartment to the other by yourself, but if you haven’t used it to paint the walls yet, it’s time to throw it out along with anything else that is flammable. This includes aerosol cans, gasoline, charcoal, fireworks, fire extinguishers, alcohol, paint thinner, motor oil and so on. You can check in with your local fire department to properly dispose of these items.
Of course, for something like alcohol, moving is as good a time as any to get rid of the bottles you have collecting dust and invite your friends over for one last hurrah.
Hazardous Materials
It sucks having to buy new cleaning materials, but most of these tend to be pretty hazardous. While it might not seem like a huge deal, if a lot of your cleaning chemicals mix together, it can lead to a pretty awful reaction. Did you know that many glass and window cleaners and toilet bowl cleaners are ammonia-based? If one of your cleaning supplies leaks and mixes with Clorox, it can generate toxic chloramine vapor, which is extremely dangerous.
Even if there isn’t a chance of a chemical reaction, a broken or leaking bottle can mean that the bottom of your box is wet, making moving that much more difficult. And if there’s a lot of liquid still in your cleaners, it can leak into your other boxes.
Sure, it’s not convenient to have to replace your household cleaning supplies, but it’s worth the peace of mind.
Perishable Items
While it probably won’t take you days to move into your place, it’s still a good idea to get rid of all your perishable items. Something might happen that you can’t foresee such as an accident or maybe the renovations on your new place haven’t been completed by the expected date. That might mean you’ll have to put your items in storage. And since perishable items spoil quickly, the last thing you want to deal with is rotten items after a move.
The great thing is that you don’t have to throw away your perishables. You can donate them to your local food bank or figure out a way to use up most of them before your move out date.
Expensive/Irreplaceable Items
While not technically hazardous, many movers will not pack precious items such as paintings, jewelry, heirlooms, expensive electronics, etc. Why? Because they’re irreplaceable. Anything can happen on the road and while most movers do have insurance that can cover a portion of the costs of an item, you may have possessions that cannot be replaced with money alone. So if you have items of sentimental value that are also fragile, pack and move it yourself to ensure its safety.
This also includes things like plants and flowers. Many plants and flowers are very delicate and may suffer damages during packing and moving. If you want to keep your plants intact, pack and move them yourself.
Essentials
In addition to all of the above, don’t forget to separately pack a bag of essentials for your first night in your new apartment. The last thing you want t do after a big move is unpack everything to find your toothbrush, towel, pajamas, etc. In your backpack or suitcase, make sure to include items you know you’ll want immediately on arrival. This should also include things like your sheets and pillow so that you can quickly set up your bed for a good night’s rest. A good starting list includes:
- Toiletries
- Towel
- Toilet paper
- Paper plates
- Utensils
- Cup/mug
- Sheets
- Pillow
- Pajamas
- Change of clothes
- Brush
- Cell phone
- Laptop and charger
- Any medication
Again, this list isn’t exhaustive so before you pack everything up, make sure to contact your movers for their list of nonallowable items. After all, you don’t want to spend the time unpacking and/or throwing out items last minute on the big day! Save yourself the headache and get it all done beforehand for a smooth transition.
