Moving day can feel like organised chaos.
Boxes everywhere. Kettle missing. Someone asking where the charger is while you’re trying to remember if the freezer was defrosted. And in the middle of it all, there’s always that one box nobody should have packed.
At Appleyards of East Yorkshire, we’ve helped thousands of families move across Hull and East Yorkshire, and one of the biggest causes of delays on moving day is prohibited or high-risk items being packed by mistake.
So before the removal van arrives, here are a few things you should definitely not pack and what to do instead.
Paint, Thinners & Flammable Liquids
That half tin of paint in the garage? The petrol in the lawnmower? The white spirit tucked away in the shed?
These items can become dangerous during transport, especially inside a warm removal vehicle. Most professional removal companies cannot legally transport flammable or hazardous materials.
What to do instead:
Dispose of unwanted paint and chemicals safely at your local recycling centre
Empty fuel from lawnmowers or garden machinery beforehand
Transport small approved items yourself only if safely sealed and secure
Gas Bottles & Cylinders
BBQ gas bottles, camping gas, and air tanks are another major no-go.
Even when they seem empty, compressed gas cylinders can still pose a serious safety risk during transit.
What to do instead:
Return unused cylinders to your supplier
Arrange specialist transport if required
Never hide gas bottles inside boxes or garages for 'later'
Trust us, removal crews find them eventually.
Jewellery & Valuables
This one surprises people. While professional movers take great care with your belongings, sentimental and high-value items like jewellery, watches, passports, and cash are always best kept with you.
What to do instead: Pack a personal essentials bag containing:
Jewellery
Wallets & purses
Passports & important paperwork
Medication
Chargers
House keys
Think of it as your 'moving day survival kit.'
Important Documents
There’s nothing worse than arriving at your new home and realising the paperwork for the move is buried somewhere in 'Box 42 - Misc.'
Documents like contracts, ID, insurance paperwork, and medical records should stay easily accessible throughout the move. What to do instead: Keep all important paperwork in:
A clearly labelled folder
A waterproof document wallet
Your car or personal bag
You’ll thank yourself later.
Perishable Food
Moving day and melting freezer food are not a great combination.
Perishable items can leak, spoil, and damage other belongings during transport, especially on longer moves.
What to do instead:
Use up frozen food before moving day
Defrost fridges and freezers at least 24 hours beforehand
Pack essentials separately in a cool bag if needed
Bonus tip: moving house is the perfect excuse for a takeaway the night before.
A Smoother Move Starts with Good Preparation
The best moving days aren’t luck, they’re planned properly. At Appleyards of East Yorkshire, we help customers prepare for stress-free moves with expert advice, professional packing services, and reliable removals across Hull and East Yorkshire.
A little preparation before moving day can save time, avoid delays, and make the entire experience far less stressful. And most importantly?
It keeps everyone and everything safe.
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