Experts Warn These Are the 5 Things You Should Never Put in a Moving Truck During a Heatwave
If it seems like everyone you know is moving during the summer, that's because many people are. Summer is peak moving season for good reason. Families often prefer to relocate while school is out, which makes the transition easier on kids and avoids the challenge of changing schools in the middle of the year. Packing boxes may not be anyone's idea of a great time, but it's certainly easier when you're not navigating snow, ice or freezing temperatures.
Summer also tends to align with job changes, lease renewals and home-buying timelines, making it a natural season for fresh starts. There's something exciting about settling into a new place while the days are long and the weather invites you to explore your new neighborhood.
Of course, summer moving has one major downside: the heat. While you may be focused on getting furniture, boxes and houseplants from point A to point B, soaring temperatures can create unexpected problems for certain belongings. A moving truck can feel more like an oven than a storage space during a heatwave, which is why some items are better left out entirely.
Adrian Iorga is a moving expert and founder of Stairhopper Movers, and is acutely familiar with the dangers of loading precious items into a hot moving truck, and has some advice for you on what to avoid.
"When people think about moving in the summer, they usually focus on the physical side of the move and staying hydrated," Iorga says. "What often gets overlooked is what happens to belongings sitting inside an enclosed truck for several hours. Unless you have specifically booked a climate-controlled vehicle, many standard moving trucks can heat up quickly, and everyday household items are not designed to withstand prolonged exposure to high temperatures."
What Shouldn't You Pack in a Moving Truck When It's Hot?
According to Iorga, there are five biggies that shouldn't be placed in a hot truck when moving your household. These include beauty devices (including hair tools), photo albums/photographs, houseplants, bottled beverages/pantry liquids and candles (or really any scented home products).
Now some of these things seem like an obvious no-go, especially candles, which can easily melt in the heat (heck, even in your car if they're left in a sunny spot despite blasting the AC). But bottled liquids? What's the deal?
"Sealed bottles may seem safe, but heat can cause expansion, leakage or changes in taste and quality, while carbonated drinks risk pressure build-up and messy spills," Iorga says. "Cooking oils and sauces can also separate or spoil more quickly."
The moral of the story-when in doubt, separate it out. Anything you have even a slight concern about handling heat, load into your car and quickly unload it into your new space. It just isn't worth the risk.
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This story was originally published June 12, 2026 at 9:05 AM.