Making a Moving List of Things Not to Move

If it is about time to move out of your old apartment or house, you need to pack up most of your belongings. Though it may seem tempting to pack up everything you have, there is a good chance that some things are better left behind. When considering which items to leave behind, it is recommended to make a list.

We tend to keep plenty of things that we don’t need or even use normally-after all, once we have it we may as well keep it in case we need it later. But by eliminating items that are unlikely to see the light of day, we reduce the amount of clutter in our closets and make space for other, hopefully more useful, items. Besides items that we don’t really use, there tend to be some things that we have been using for too long instead. Some of these may be in good working condition, while some others may be already broken or risk being broken at the next use. These are items we can do without, since otherwise we are counting on having certain things that most likely won’t last much longer or are already out of use.

If there are any chemicals or other hazardous materials, including pesticides and perhaps old cans of paint, we are generally better off discarding them when we move. These are dangerous to move—they can spill and damage other household items or become a health hazard. Certain chemicals are illegal to transport at all once they have been opened, further causing problems in regards to moving.

It is generally a good idea to eat everything in the refrigerator instead of attempting to transport perishable foods. Since the moving process can be extended due to a variety of reasons, any perishables should be consumed beforehand. If there are any food items that can’t be consumed before the moving process, it may be better to discard them or offer them to any friends or neighbors.


One of the things that complicates the moving process is furniture. Any large pieces of furniture are difficult to transport. If there are too many pieces of furniture, several extra trips may have to be made. One thing to keep in mind is to avoid packing anything else along with furniture, since any slips or slides can break other items that it lands on or pushes. Another consideration is old and worn furniture. Any furniture that isn’t in the best condition may not be able it through the process of being transported. If it is evident that a certain chair or desk won’t likely survive the moving process, it may be best to throw it out before the trip. If it breaks while on transit, it may cause other problems (besides the fact that it was a waste to actually move it.)

When considering a change of residence, make a list of all things to be taken and check for things that may not be worth moving. By eliminating any items that are not needed or that are broken, the load is decreased and the moving process is made smoother, easier and faster.