An image of cleaners and chemicals with a red circle and line through them

What Shouldn’t Go on the Moving Truck?

John C Murphy Moving and Storage is Dedicated to Safe Moving

To help ensure the safe moving and/or storage of your belongings, please refer to all the information below.

It is important to know that not everything should get packed and loaded onto the moving truck.  Exceptions may be made if your move is less than 150 miles and items will be delivered within 24 hours of loading with no in-transit servicing.  In most cases, our team at Murphy will advise you not to pack up any perishable items, including produce, plants, frozen or refrigerated foods and open or half-used food containers.

Additionally, many common household items are just not safe for transport under any circumstances.  For the safety of your family, John C Murphy movers and others on the road, we cannot transport hazardous items, including explosives, flammable gases and toxic substances.

Please read this list below carefully prior to packing so that you can separate these non-allowable items from the rest of your belongings before they go on the moving truck. Most of these items are likely to be found in your garage or with your household cleaning supplies, while others may be scattered throughout your house. If you have questions about a particular item, please reach out to your Murphy move coordinator for clarification.

Keep in mind that these items are hazardous and must be disposed of properly to comply with federal, state and local laws and to protect the environment.

  • Aerosol cans
  • Ammonia
  • Ammunition
  • Car batteries
  • Charcoal/lighter fluid
  • Charged scuba tanks
  • Chemistry sets
  • Cleaning solvents
  • Darkroom chemicals
  • Fertilizer
  • Fire extinguishers (you are safer getting a new one anyway!)
  • Fireworks
  • Fuels/oils
  • Household batteries
  • Kerosene
  • Liquid bleach
  • Loaded guns
  • Matches
  • Nail polish/remover
  • Paint thinners
  • Paints / varnishes
  • Pesticides
  • Poisons
  • Pool chemicals
  • Propane tanks
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Sterno fuel
  • Weed killer