The day of the move is fast approaching and the time has finally come to start packing. You stand in the middle of your home surrounded by boxes and tape, not sure where to start. A sense of dread fills you as you realize how much stuff you really have to pack. Are you starting to panic yet? Well, don’t! We have some good news for you! You can still make moving a breeze because hey, you don’t actually have to pack everything you own. For one reason or another, some things are better not wasting time on. And to help you out, we have come up with a handy guide for items you don’t have to pack. So let’s get started!
Items you don’t have to pack because you don’t really need them
Okay, be honest now. Despite what you tell your mom to get out of spring cleaning, there are definitely things lying around your room that you can live without! And now is exactly the right time to get rid of it. The fewer things you own, the less you need to pack and move. Sounds simple enough, right?
But we know it’s not always that easy to do. Sometimes you get attached to things and it’s hard to let them go. So don’t think of throwing stuff away – think of it as another step towards your new life. There’s really a no better time to start over than when you’re planning your interstate move for college – you’re moving to a new place, meeting new people, starting an exciting new chapter in your life. It’s time to enjoy your new beginning. All these changes mean it’s out with the old and in with the new. And that goes for your possessions too! Besides, a good purge can be cathartic for you.
Get rid of the things you don’t need
What are they?
Of course, you’re still going to be hauling dozens of boxes to your new home. You do need most of your stuff after all. But there are some things that shouldn’t make the cut. Especially if you have to move out in a week. That’s when you really have to save time and skip packing:
- old and expired makeup, perfumes, cosmetics, and medicine
- towels, bathrobes, and bathmats that need replacing anyway
- old or broken appliances that you’ve already upgraded from
- clothes and shoes that you’ve outgrown or simply don’t wear anymore
- mismatched or broken jewelry you no longer wear
- books, cookbooks, and magazines you won’t read again
- instruction manuals and receipts that you don’t need any more
- charges and cords for appliances you no longer use
- chipped or damaged plates, mugs, and dishware
- anything you have a duplicate or upgrade for
A good way to judge if you should move something is to ask yourself the following questions:
- Do I use this regularly and have I used it in the last year at all?
- Is this worth the time and effort it takes to pack and move?
- Is this irreplaceable?
If you’ve answered no, this particular thing is one of the items you don’t have to pack.
What to do with them instead of packing?
There are three things you can do with the stuff you no longer need: throw it away, donate it or sell it. Anything expired or broken belongs firmly in the dumpster. What you do with the things that can still be used is up to you. Selling them can be a good way to boost your budget a little which is useful when you’re looking to save money on your move. Because we all know the costs after moving to a new home. But donating to charity always feels good. If you’re not sure, you can always compromise – donate the clothes and books, sell the rest!
Items you don’t have to pack because movers won’t move them
There are some things even reputable professional movers like Neeley’s Van and Storage won’t move. And while this might seem inconvenient for you, it’s really about safety first and foremost. Moving certain items would endanger movers, your possessions and even the environment. To avoid this risk, moving companies simply don’t move those items. In some cases, they are even forbidden from doing so by federal law.
Don’t pack potentially dangerous items
What are they?
When you hire them, your movers should provide you with a list of non-allowables. These are specific instructions on what their company won’t, can’t or isn’t allowed to transport. While it can vary a bit, most non-allowables are pretty universal so here are some items you don’t have to pack:
- guns, ammunition, explosives, and other firearms
- corrosive, flammable and toxic substances, especially in liquid form
- perishable food
- plants and pets
- collectibles, antiques and other irreplaceable items of sentimental value
There may be additional restrictions when it comes to hiring international moving specialists as laws can be vastly different in different countries no matter how geographically close they are. Always consult with your movers on anything you’re unsure about.
What to do with them instead of packing?
A wide variety of things fall under the category of non-allowables so what you do will depend on the specific item in question. Eat the perishable food, move what you can on your own and finally, hire specialty moving services for dangerous and highly valuable items as well as plants and pets. If necessary, look into laws on environmentally safe disposal in your area.
Items you don’t have to pack because you will need them during the move
The good news is that moving to a distant place can be simple when you organize it right. But it’s only the first step. You will, after all, need to unpack and settle into the new place as well! In the chaos of preparing for the move, you may forget that this takes time. You won’t have everything handy and arranged the moment you move in. And the last thing you want to be doing on your first night in your new home is tiredly digging through boxes in search of a toothbrush. It’s a good idea, therefore, not to pack what you need during and immediately after the move with the rest of your stuff!
Do yourself a favor and pack toiletries separately
What are they?
Anything you might need during the relocation or on your first night should be kept separate. That is just one of the brilliant ways to stay organized when you move. So don’t pack the following:
- toiletries, medications, and basic cleaning supplies
- a change of clothes and pajamas
- phone and laptop chargers
- important documents and valuables
- snacks for the road
What to do with them instead of packing?
Okay, technically, you should be packing these. Just do it separately. Prepare a special box for these items, mark it clearly and make sure it’s the last one to go into the moving truck so you can get to it easily when you arrive. Or you can pack these things like an overnight bag in a duffel that you carry with you. Either way, don’t pack it with the rest of your things!
