There are many things you need to take into account when you are packing a storage. You don’t only want your things to be protected – you want them sorted out and easy to reach as well. When packing, many might think about throwing everything into one big box and calling it a day. However, think about how impractical this is. Once you need your item back, you will need to go through that same box – and that can be a nightmare. This is why choosing the right moving boxes for your storage is important. In this article, we give you some helpful tips on how to choose the right boxes for storage.
Why choosing the right boxes for storage is important
We already touched upon this a little, but choosing the right boxes for storage serves various different purposes:
- the right boxes for storage keep your things safe,
- they keep them in order,
- they protect them from different environmental conditions.
This is why you need to decide what you want your box to do. Do you need it to be sturdy and water resilient? Maybe you just need the solution that will save you the most space. Or maybe you are just trying to save your money, so you use one of the free moving boxes in Miami. So let us look at different types and sizes of boxes. After that, you can make an informed decision about what your right boxes for storage are.
The type of storage boxes
When thinking about the type of the storage boxes, there are three things to consider. You need to think about what you will be stored in these boxes, how long you plan to store it in for, as well as where the storage facility is.
Cardboard boxes are usually the right boxes for storage
Cardboard boxes have many uses. They are easy to pack, they are light and you can label or stack them. They are also fairly cheap, so both people and moving companies go for them. Finally, after you are done using them, you can recycle them or break them down and keep them for future use. This is why they are perfect for temporary use.
However, time is where the cardboard boxes don’t really shine. Because of their material, they are very prone to environmental conditions. Both heat and humidity can damage them and compromise their integrity – thus damaging your items too. Also, mold and mildew can start growing inside the box. Finally, rodents and bugs can attack the box and damage it as well.
This is why you shouldn’t use cardboard boxes as long-term solutions in storages that are not protected from both environmental conditions and critters. If you are storing your things in a shed or garage, then cardboard boxes aren’t the right boxes for storage. However, if you are using a storage unit with temperature control and rodent protection, cardboard boxes are a cheap and safe bet.
Plastic bins are useful for long-term storage
Plastic bins are pretty opposite to cardboard boxes. They are resilient to both heat and moisture, so you can use them almost everywhere. Another advantage is that you don’t need to use tape to seal them – they come with lids of their own. However, one disadvantage of these boxes is that they don’t come cheap. If you are wondering how to find cheap moving boxes in Miami, then this might not be the way to go for you.
Another disadvantage is that you can’t break them down. This is why plastic bins aren’t the right boxes for storage if you are planning on using them short-term. Simply put, after you take them out of storage, they will only take more room in your home. However, if you are planning on storing your items long-term (especially in a unit that has no temperature control), then plastic bins are perfect for you.
Think about using specialty boxes
Finally, we have specialty boxes. These are useful for packing hard-to-pack items, or items that need special care. Things like silverware, holiday decorations, TVs – they can all go in specialty boxes. If you have something you would have to damage, then you might want to invest in these boxes. They come in both cardboard and plastic, so you can make your pick based on your needs. These boxes make hard-to-pack items easy to store, and they usually come with extra security so the items don’t bounce inside the box.
The size of the storage boxes
When thinking about the size of the storage boxes, there are multiple things to consider. You should not only worry about whether your item will fit in the box. Think about the space you have – how much of it will the box take. Then you also need to consider the weight of the box and where you are placing it – some shelves can’t hold heavy or big boxes.
Sizes of storage boxes
The standard small box‘s dimensions are 16 x 12.5 x 12.5, or 1.5 cubic feet. They are useful for packing small, heavy items which would just add weight to a big box. These boxes are great for things such as books, or fragile items like plates or vases. However, the recommended weight of the items in the box should not exceed 50 pounds.
You usually use medium size boxes (18 x 18 x 16, or 3 cubic feet) when you are moving to South Florida with ease. A lot of things can fit into these – clothing, dishes, toys, etc. They are perfect for things you don’t want to squeeze together in a box. Also, they can take up to 65 pounds of weight.
Large boxes are usually 18 x 18 x 24, or 4.5 cubic feet, and store anything bigger – like blankets, lamps, even smaller kitchen appliances. However, you need to be careful with their weight – the capacity is the same as the medium boxes – 65 pounds.
Extra large boxes are about 24 x 18 x 24, or 6.1 cubic feet, and here you can store up to 70 pounds. However, they might not be the right boxes for storage if you are planning on visiting it often. You need to be careful with these – store too many things and you won’t be able to lift it. This is why you should put light and bit items here, like pillows, coats, and some bigger kitchen appliances.
