Hazardous Items and Moving Day: What Your Movers Can't Transport

You might not think of your garage as a storage facility for dangerous goods — but from a mover’s perspective, it probably is. Moving companies in Canada are regulated by provincial and federal transport laws, and they’re not allowed to load anything classified as a hazardous material. That includes items most homeowners keep on hand without a second thought.

What Counts as Hazardous in a Residential Move?

The Full List

Here’s what most professional movers won’t transport:

Flammable liquids: Gasoline, kerosene, lighter fluid, lamp oil
Flammable gases: Propane tanks (full or partially full), butane, acetylene
Paints and stains: Oil-based paints, wood stains, varnishes, paint thinners, turpentine
Household chemicals: Bleach, ammonia, drain cleaner, oven cleaner, pool chemicals, pesticides, herbicides
Corrosives: Muriatic acid, battery acid, rust remover
Compressed gas: Fire extinguishers, scuba tanks, oxygen cylinders, aerosol cans (in bulk)
Batteries: Car batteries, boat batteries, loose lithium-ion batteries
Ammunition and explosives: Firearms ammunition, fireworks, flares
Fertilizers: Ammonium nitrate–based lawn fertilizers

If it says “DANGER,” “WARNING,” “CAUTION,” or “FLAMMABLE” on the label, assume your movers won’t take it.

Why Moving Companies Refuse These Items

It’s not a preference — it’s the law. The Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act (federal) and Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act regulate what can ride in commercial vehicles. Companies that violate these rules face fines, licence suspension, and personal liability if something goes wrong during transit.

A leaking can of paint thinner in a hot, enclosed truck is a fire waiting to happen. Your movers are protecting your belongings, their crew, and every other vehicle on the road.

Flammable Liquids and Gases

Gasoline, Lighter Fluid, and Propane Tanks

The biggest offenders in a typical Ottawa garage:

Gas cans — even “empty” ones contain fumes that are highly flammable
BBQ propane tanks — full, half-full, or nearly empty, they can’t go on the truck
Lighter fluid and charcoal starter — liquid accelerants, full stop
Camping fuel — white gas, butane canisters, sterno

If you’re packing up your garage and shed, you’ll encounter most of these right away. Our guide to packing your garage for a move covers how to organize everything else — but hazardous items need to leave separately.

Safe Disposal Options in Ottawa

Ottawa makes disposal straightforward. The City runs Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) depots at two permanent locations:

Trail Road Facility — 4475 Trail Road (open year-round, Wednesday–Saturday)
OVWRC (Ottawa Valley Waste Recovery Centre) — check seasonal hours

The City also runs mobile collection events in neighbourhoods throughout the year. Check ottawa.ca/hazardous-waste for dates and locations nearest you.

For propane tanks specifically:- Exchange them at any hardware store that carries propane (Home Depot, Canadian Tire)- Full or damaged tanks can go to the Trail Road HHW depot- Never put them in your blue or black bin

Household Chemicals and Cleaning Products

Bleach, Ammonia, and Pesticides

Under-the-sink items that every household has:

Bleach and toilet bowl cleaner
Ammonia-based glass cleaners (in large quantities)
Antibacterial sprays containing sodium hypochlorite
Ant traps, mouse poison, roach spray, wasp killer
Pool chlorine and pH balancers

Small, sealed containers of regular cleaning sprays sometimes fall into a grey area. Individual bottles of Windex or sealed containers of dish soap are generally fine. The concern is with concentrated chemicals, large quantities, or anything labelled corrosive or poisonous.

Partially Full Containers — Use Up, Gift, or Dispose

The easiest approach is to deal with these items weeks before moving day:

Use them up. If you’re cleaning your old place before handing over the keys, you’ll go through bleach, glass cleaner, and floor cleaner naturally.
Gift them. Offer half-full bottles to neighbours — most people will happily take free cleaning supplies.
Donate. Some shelters and community organizations accept sealed, unexpired cleaning products.
Dispose. Anything that can’t be used up or donated goes to the HHW depot.

For ideas on what else to donate, sell, or discard before moving day, our junk removal and donation guide walks through the full process.

Paints, Stains, and Solvents

Ottawa’s Household Hazardous Waste Depot Schedule

Paint is one of the most common items sitting in residential basements. If you’ve lived in your home for more than a few years, there’s probably a shelf of half-empty cans — touch-up paint for the kitchen, leftover deck stain, that one can of primer you bought “just in case.”

Oil-based paints, stains, varnishes, and solvents must go to the HHW depot. No exceptions.

The Trail Road facility accepts:- Oil-based and latex paints- Stains and varnishes- Paint thinner, turpentine, mineral spirits- Spray paint cans (even empty ones contain propellant)

Drop-off costs nothing. It’s a free service for Ottawa residents.

What About Latex (Water-Based) Paint?

Here’s a common misconception: latex paint is not classified as hazardous in the same way oil-based paint is. It’s water-soluble and non-flammable. However, most movers still won’t transport liquid paint because of spill risk.

Your best options for latex paint:- Use it up for touch-ups before listing or leaving- Donate it. Habitat for Humanity ReStore accepts unopened or gently used paint- Dry it out. Mix latex paint with cat litter, let it solidify, and dispose of it in your regular garbage

Batteries, Electronics, and Compressed Gas

Car Batteries and Lithium Batteries

Car batteries are a no-go. They contain sulphuric acid and can produce hydrogen gas — both serious hazards in an enclosed truck. If you’re moving a second vehicle, drive it or have it transported on a car carrier with the battery in place.

Lithium-ion batteries (the kind in laptops, power tools, e-bikes, and hoverboards) are a growing concern. Damaged lithium batteries can undergo “thermal runaway” — a rapid, self-heating reaction that causes fire. When packed loose in a box surrounded by cardboard, the risk multiplies.

Safe handling for lithium batteries:- Keep them in the devices they power- Cover terminals with electrical tape if removed- Don’t pack them in boxes with heat-sensitive items- Carry them with you in the car rather than loading them on the truck

Fire Extinguishers and Aerosol Cans

Fire extinguishers are pressurized vessels. Most movers won’t transport them, even though they’re designed for safety. Take them in your personal vehicle.

Aerosol cans in small quantities (one can of hairspray, one can of cooking spray) are usually tolerated. But a box of 20 aerosol cans — spray paint, bug spray, sunscreen, dry shampoo — qualifies as a hazard. Use them up, donate, or dispose of the excess before packing.

What You CAN Move (That You Might Think You Can’t)

Not everything under the kitchen sink is off-limits. Movers can typically transport:

Sealed, consumer-size cleaning products — a bottle of dish soap, a jug of laundry detergent, sealed all-purpose spray
Cooking oils — olive oil, vegetable oil, coconut oil (seal them in zip-lock bags to prevent spills)
Vinegar — white vinegar and cleaning vinegar are non-hazardous
Hand sanitizer — small bottles are fine; bulk containers (4L+) may be questioned due to alcohol content
Rubbing alcohol — small bottles only
Sealed toiletries — shampoo, conditioner, lotion, sealed cosmetics
Candles — they’re wax, not flammable liquid

If you’re unsure about a specific item, ask your mover during the estimate. It takes 10 seconds and prevents a conflict on moving day.

When packing these borderline items, seal everything in plastic bags inside your boxes. Make sure they’re upright and cushioned. Our packing supplies checklist covers the materials you’ll need to pack liquids securely.

For items like wine, spirits, and bar supplies that need extra care, see our guide on moving a wine collection safely — the packing principles apply to any liquid you want to protect during transit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if movers find hazardous items in my boxes?

They’ll stop and remove the item. If it’s discovered during loading, they’ll set it aside. If it’s found during the move, it may be left behind. Either way, it delays your move and creates friction. Be upfront and handle these items yourself before moving day.

Can I transport hazardous items in my own car?

Yes, with common-sense precautions. Keep propane tanks upright, transport them in a ventilated area (truck bed, not enclosed trunk), and keep flammable liquids away from heat and direct sun. Never leave hazardous materials in a hot, parked car.

How far in advance should I deal with hazardous items?

Start at least two weeks before moving day. The HHW depot may have limited hours, and you might need to schedule around their opening days. Don’t leave it for the last minute.

Are there any penalties for putting hazardous items on a moving truck?

You could be held liable for any damage caused by an undisclosed hazardous item — including damage to other customers’ belongings on a shared load. Some moving contracts include a clause stating that the customer is responsible for failing to disclose restricted items.

Can movers transport firearms?

Movers typically won’t transport firearms. If you own firearms, transport them yourself in compliance with federal firearms transport laws — unloaded, locked, and in a proper case. Ammunition must be stored separately from firearms during transport.