So you’re moving. Congratulations! This is an exciting time, but it can also be a bit daunting. There’s so much to do, and one of the most important things is choosing the right moving boxes. After all, if your belongings arrive at the new destination damaged, it could seriously dampen your moving experience. Not all moving boxes can be counted as equal. Also, depending on what you’re storing in your moving boxes, it might call for using a specific type of moving box to ensure that your belongings arrive at your new home safe and sound. Not to worry – we’re here to help!
In this blog post, we’ll discuss the different types of moving boxes. Let’s get started!
Are Moving Boxes Really That Important?
In short, yes! Moving boxes are extremely important, and not all moving boxes can be used for the same things. For example, if you’re moving clothes or other items that can be folded, you’ll want to use small moving boxes so that they fit snugly and don’t move around too much during transport. On the other hand, if you’re moving something large and bulky like a television, you’ll want to use a larger moving box so that it has plenty of room and won’t get damaged. Some moving boxes are far more durable in structure than others, so you should have some understanding of which ones should be used for certain items. Trust us, taking the time to choose the right moving boxes will save you a lot of headaches (and heartache) in the long run.
Moving Tip From Badger Box: Those free boxes that you snagged from a friend or a store’s back stock room might be free, but you may want to think twice about using them. Used boxes are certainly affordable, but might come with added stress as used boxes can lose their structural integrity over multiple uses. This means that your boxes might not hold up during a move, or protect your valuable items as well as new boxes will. Even worse, some boxes can harbor pests such as ants, roaches, and silverfish. Don’t bring pests along with you on your new move!
Benefits of Buying New Moving Boxes
Now that we’ve talked about some of the reasons why moving boxes are important, let’s discuss some of the benefits of buying new moving boxes. Sure, everyone loves to save on moving costs whenever possible because moving is expensive! But using new boxes has a lot of benefits that can far outweigh the savings.
- New moving boxes are easier to find: Let’s face it. Tracking down used boxes can feel a lot like a scavenger hunt. You have to ask friends and visit numerous stores to ask if they have any free boxes they can give away. New boxes, however, are only a home improvement or hardware store away. Not only is this going to save you time and gas, but you’ll likely find a better quality box that suits your exact needs as well.
- New moving boxes are easier to label and organize: When it comes to used moving boxes, you may be dealing with tons of writing and old labels that wash out the new labels you put on them. This can make things very confusing when you’re trying to keep your boxes organized, especially if you’re working with a professional moving team. Not only that, used boxes tend to be much weaker from overuse, so you may not be able to stack them in an organized manner like you can with new boxes.
- New moving boxes have more options: When you’re buying new moving boxes, you have a LOT of options. Oftentimes, the store has endless sizes and types of packing materials, so you can find the exact right storing materials for your belongings. Used boxes mean you have to take what you find, so you’re more than likely going to be stuck storing belongings in boxes that really aren’t the best fit for what you’re moving.
Is It Better To Use Plastic Totes or Cardboard Boxes For Moving?
This is a common question with no right or wrong answer. It really depends on your moving situation and what you plan to move. When it comes to plastic totes, you can always keep them long-term to store belongings either in your attic or garage. Cardboard boxes are most definitely not ideal for long-term storage because of their biodegradable nature.
Here are some things to keep in mind when deciding whether to use plastic totes or cardboard boxes:
- If you’re moving long distance, you might want to consider using plastic totes because they’re more durable and can withstand being loaded and unloaded multiple times. If these are items you intend to keep stored long-term, you may want to think about putting them in a storage container that will last so you don’t have to unpack those items and store them again in something else.
- If you have a lot of heavy items, cardboard boxes might be the better option because they can hold more weight without breaking. These could be items such as books, heavier electronics, dishes, china, etc.
- Plastic totes are typically more expensive than cardboard boxes, so if you’re on a budget, cardboard boxes might be the way to go. If you’ve created a moving budget, try to keep that in mind when you’re pricing out plastic totes. You could consider splitting up your storing options by using cardboard boxes for some items, and plastic totes for other items.
- We love saving time, so if you’re packing items that you intend to keep stored anyway, it might be a good idea to choose a storage container that is durable and can last in storage in your attic or garage. No point in placing such items in a cardboard box only to remove them and place them into another container later.
What To Do With Your Cardboard Boxes After Your Move
While we usually recommend not using used boxes if you can afford not to, not everyone has the luxury of purchasing tons of brand-new boxes. So, while you may have purchased new ones, we’d certainly recommend that you think about someone who may need to use them after you move. After all, you could be saving someone hundreds of dollars on their move by giving them your packing materials.
You can post an ad on Facebook Marketplace or on free classified ads online to see if there is anyone in or around your new neighborhood that could make use of them. If you’ve just started your kids at a new school, or if you’ve joined a new church, etc., you can ask those communities if they know anyone who could make use of your moving materials. There’s nothing more rewarding than giving to others.
If you can’t find anyone to take your boxes, you can recycle them. Whatever you do, don’t let your cardboard go into the trash when it can be recycled to create more boxes for someone else’s next move!
Now that you know a little more about moving boxes and what to do with them after your move, we hope you’re feeling confident in your packing material decisions. If you need help storing your belongings at your new home in a convenient and safe storage unit, reach out to Badger Box Storage to help! We wish you the best of luck with your new move!
