Is your garage home to all the clutter that you never really knew what to do with? The good news is that you're in a familiar boat. Unfortunately, when it comes time to move, you'll need to find a solution for moving or disposing of all the clutter you've accumulated in the garage. Here are a few tips from our professional long-distance movers.

Unwanted & Hard-to-Dispose Items

Most everyone that has a garage will tend to use it as an extra space for storage. Over the years, though, it can add up, and it may be overwhelming to decide what to do with everything. To start, make a separate area for all of the unwanted items that you feel don’t need to follow you to your next home. If they are in proper working order, these items can be donated to local charities that could benefit from gifted them. Any larger metal objects that you don’t intend to keep, you can haul to a scrapyard and can actually earn some extra cash by bringing these items in.

If you're dealing with these hard-to-dispose items, it may not be as simple as donating them away:

  • Paint and Flammable Liquids: It is strongly recommended that you don’t pack these items and move with them for safety reasons, especially if you have a long move and drive ahead of you. Call around to your local establishments and find one that will dispose of them properly for you.
  • Grills: Consider scrap metal recycling for old grills that no longer work or that won't be making the trip.

Relocating Hard-to-Move Items

For the rest of the stuff in your garage, getting it on the moving truck might be a bit of a headscratcher. Here are a few more tips for getting the job done.

  • Grills: Load your grill onto the moving truck, and if possible, lock the wheels. If that isn’t possible, you can always strap them down to prevent them from moving around. For an added level of protection, remove the inner grates to avoid any other type of damage to the grill. If you use a propane grill, then like paint and other flammable liquids, do not pack the tank. Instead, many retailers that sell propane will buy your propane tank from you.
  • Cars: A vintage automobile or extra sized vehicle may not fit on the moving truck. Luckily, most professional movers have equipment to properly transport cars.
  • Motorcycles: Your bike can easily top over, causing damage to the motorcycle and any surrounding items you have packed around it. The best option for any motorcycles would be a custom crating option. Call around to your local professional moving companies, like Allied Alaska, to set up your crating options for shipment. Your bike will be safely strapped down and put in its own protective crate to be safely transported to your new home.
  • Tools: Roll all available tool chests onto the moving trailer and ensure that all drawers are locked. This will keep your drawers from flying open and potentially launching your tools everywhere, causing damage. For your larger free-standing power tools, you may want to consider and crating option, as we discussed with the motorcycles.
  • Lawncare and Other Landscaping Items: These items are built pretty sturdily and may not require any extra safety precautions. Find a safe spot on the moving truck and ensure that they are adequately secured to prevent settling or moving around. 

If you find yourself moving to a new residence where you no longer need these items, Consider selling them first before you pack them up. This will save you extra room on the moving truck, not having to haul any unneeded items.

Getting Help with Your Next Move

If you find yourself with a move in the near future, then call Allied Alaska for any packing and moving services you may need. Our residential movers can offer their expertise with everything, including full-service packing and moving. Whether it is just down the road and you need local movers or you are moving coast to coast, and long-distance movers are required. Either way, Allied Alaska has your back. Call us today to get your free moving quote.