10 More Things Not To Toss When Moving

Because of the need to organise, pack and move everything in a short space of time, there is a temptation to throw away things that seem unnecessary at the moment. Add to this the desire for cleanliness or the emotional weight of parting with a familiar place, and suddenly even cherished mementos or valuable documents can end up in the bin.

But before you fill another rubbish bag, think again. Some of the things you’re tempted to throw away may be more important than you realise.

In this guide, we’ll cover 10 things you should never throw away when locally or long distance moving house, and why keeping them can save you from future regrets.

Old Papers And Documents

Some of the first things to get thrown out when moving are old papers and documents. They may seem useless, but these documents can contain personal information:

1. old school books
2. bank statements
3. medical records
4. tax records
5. work files
6. other important documents

These papers can have important information that may be difficult to replace or duplicate. They can also become a danger to you if found. They can be used by unsavory people for fraudulent purposes.

These papers should be held and kept safe. Some more advice: any paper that you do want to get rid of should be shredded to erase the information, then recycled. Throwing it away leaves your personal information exposed and causes pollution.

Old Clothes

Throwing away clothes is almost always a waste. Instead, you can give away clothes to friends or family. You can also give some away to charity. Even very ratty items that you cannot give away can be used as rags or towels later. You will always need an outfit that you can get dirty in while doing some housework. So keep a few torn T-shirts and worn pants around that you can use to do some dirty work.

Outdated Electronic Devices

Old devices, such as personal computers, flip phones, laptops, and others often still hold personal information. For the same reason you should be careful with documents, you should also be careful with old devices. Your data can still be accessed and used even if the device does not work for you anymore.

In addition, it is not very safe to simply throw away old phones especially as they can contain hazardous materials sometimes. Recycling and proper disposal are surely much better than simply throwing them in the garbage.

Hazardous Or Dangerous Materials

There are quite a few common household items that contain dangerous elements or compounds. They can cause a lot of harm to the environment and are often toxic to humans. These things should not be thrown away. Here’s a table of some dangerous materials and how they should be properly discarded;

1. Tires: they contain metal liners that can puncture landfill liners. Solution: Your local mechanic should be able to take care of your old tires when you make changes. Or some recycling agencies are equipped to handle them.
2. Batteries: Batteries of any kind contain a whole bunch of different dangerous elements and skills never be thrown away.  Solution: Retail collection outlets can collect batteries for proper recycling. Li-ion or zinc silver oxide batteries need special hazardous waste disposal.
3. Engine oil: Engine oil is a very strong water contaminant that can destroy water supplies. Solution: Your local mechanic will usually be able to collect used engine oil and take it to the right place. You can take it to a recycling station but always seal it in a plastic container beforehand.

Old Photographs

The smartphone has made the physical picture nearly obsolete in everyday life. But most families will have at least a few photos from a time when smartphones were not yet everywhere. A good photo album can help you organize photos. It will help you keep a lot of pictures in a space not much larger than a standard school textbook.

Even with phone cameras, a good album can be a nice item to have around the house, full of memories. It is worth noting that if you have to get rid of physical pictures, the photos can be digitalized and you can keep the files instead. Even then, that just does not have the same effect as hard copies. Recycling the photos is always better than simply throwing the hem out.

 

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Ancestral Heirlooms

Anything passed down for generations in a family should probably be kept so that it can continue to be passed down for more generations. Well, except if it is a dangerous weapon or contains extremist paraphernalia from the past. While it is easy to assume that those things are worthless, they might not be.

A little research could reveal the historical significance of antiques that may not look like much. In any case, the physical value should not be the only deciding factor about such things.

Sentimental Items

Memorabilia from childhood, personal letters, holiday souvenirs or handmade gifts from loved ones. These items may not have monetary value, but are often associated with cherished memories.

Many people regret throwing away sentimental items because they later realise the emotional significance they held.

Pack them in a special ‘memory box’ so they are safe and easy to find. Use small, sturdy containers that protect from moisture and dust.
If possible, digitise letters or photographs, for example, scan them to create digital copies.

Household Tools and Supplies

Superfluous screws, nails, batteries, light bulbs, extension cords or cleaning supplies. They are often scattered in junk drawers, cupboards or garages and are easy to overlook.

These small, practical items are incredibly useful when setting up a new home. From hanging pictures to fixing minor issues, they’ll save you from having to buy duplicates.

Use small containers or ziploc bags to store screws, nails and other small items. Clearly label each bag so you can find it quickly.

Unused Gift Cards or Vouchers

Gift cards, discount coupons, shop credits or vouchers that still have value but are often forgotten in drawers or purses.

These cards are just as good as cash and can help you save money on new purchases for the home. Plus, some gift cards have no expiry date, making them useful long after you’ve settled into the house.

If you’re unlikely to use some of them, consider giving them to friends or giving them to charity.

Important Contact Information

Address books, business cards, emergency contact lists, warranty information and appliance manuals.

In the digital age, it’s easy to assume that all your contacts are saved on your phone or in the cloud. But in case of technical glitches or if you lose your device during a move, having a physical backup can be crucial. In addition, warranty information and manuals are often necessary when installing appliances in a new home.

Keep all important documents and contact information in a clearly labelled folder or binder.

Carefully consider anything you want to toss. Whether it might be more useful than you think, may be dangerous to simply throw away, or it still has value. Contact A Plus Moving Group at (800) 919-6332 to get the best full-service moving company in town!