Moving totes handle the large majority of a household safely. A short list of items, though, should travel another way — either for safety, for legal reasons, or because a tote is the wrong kind of protection.
Flammables and hazardous liquids
Gasoline, propane, lighter fluid, paint thinner, aerosols, pool chemicals, and similar items should never go in a sealed tote in a warm truck. Use them up, give them away, or take them to a household hazardous waste drop-off. Movers won't transport them either.
Anything irreplaceable or high-value
- Cash, jewelry, watches, and precious metals
- Passports, birth certificates, titles, and other key documents
- Medication you take daily
- Small electronics like laptops and hard drives with irreplaceable data
- Family heirlooms and one-of-a-kind items
These ride in your own car, in your possession. A tote protects against crushing and rain, not against a box going to the wrong house.
Plants
A closed tote will cook or crush a houseplant. Move plants loose in your car, ideally in an open box to keep the pots upright.
Perishable food
Skip perishables in totes for anything but a same-day move with a cooler. Sealed dry goods and cans are fine; open bags of flour or sugar attract pests and should be dealt with before the move.
Wet or damp items
Don't seal anything damp — towels, a shower curtain, a just-cleaned rug — into a latched tote for days. It can mildew. Let it dry fully or transport it separately and loosely.
Overloaded weight
Not an item, but a rule: don't fill a tote past what one person can safely lift, roughly 50 pounds and under. Books, tools, and canned goods hit that limit fast — split them across more totes, kept half to three-quarters full.
See tote packages by home size and book your delivery date.
View Residential PricingFrequently Asked Questions
Can you pack cleaning supplies and chemicals in moving totes?
No flammables or hazardous liquids — gas, propane, lighter fluid, solvents, aerosols, pool chemicals. Use them up or take them to a hazardous waste drop-off; movers won't carry them either.
Should valuables go in moving totes?
No. Cash, jewelry, key documents, daily medication, and irreplaceable electronics or heirlooms should travel in your own car with you, not in a tote on the truck.
Can I move plants in moving totes?
No — a closed tote will overheat or crush a plant. Move houseplants loose in your car, in an open box that keeps the pots upright.
Questions about sizing, coverage, or what's included? Check our FAQ page or email info@nicetotesrental.com.