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What Are the Best Ways to Store Boxes?
The best ways to store boxes typically depends on the type of boxes being stored, the place they are being stored, and if they are filled while in storage. Cardboard boxes are typically best stored by flattening them and then either stacking them or storing them on their sides. When storing boxes in an outdoor area or a place that may be vulnerable to the elements, such as rain, they should be stored in a way that protects them from damage. To store full boxes, it is often best to stack the boxes on top of each other in a way that prevents damage to the contents.
There are different methods that can be used to store boxes, typically depending on the materials from which the boxes are made. Cardboard boxes, for example, can be flattened by opening them, which may require cutting through tape. This makes storage much easier and allows the boxes to take up less space while in storage. Plastic boxes, on the other hand, can often simply be stacked together. Some storage systems are designed with boxes of different sizes, in which case someone can store the boxes inside of each other to require less space.
To store boxes outdoors, such as in a shed or detached garage, it is often best to consider potential sources of damage. Cardboard boxes should typically be stored off the ground; using a few wood planks to make a raised platform can prevent the boxes from water damage. This is especially important when someone wishes to store boxes outdoors that still have items inside of them.
The best way to store boxes that are still being used is typically to stack the boxes on top of each other. This should usually be done with the largest and heaviest boxes at the bottom, and successively lighter and smaller boxes on top of those. Heavier boxes on top of lighter boxes can lead to crushing and damage of the contents of the lighter box, and larger boxes on top of smaller boxes can result in the stack falling over. Plastic boxes are often designed with bottoms that can more easily stack on top of the lids of such boxes, making these boxes not only more durable than cardboard, but also easier to safely stack.
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![Cardboard boxes can be flattened after they're opened.]()
By: ElenathewiseCardboard boxes can be flattened after they're opened. -
![Before storing boxes, they should be properly closed and taped.]()
By: Rhonda RothBefore storing boxes, they should be properly closed and taped. -
![Before storing cardboard boxes in outdoor storage areas, it's a good idea to consider potential opportunities for acquiring weather damage.]()
By: fallesenBefore storing cardboard boxes in outdoor storage areas, it's a good idea to consider potential opportunities for acquiring weather damage.
Discussion Comments
@Mor - I just don't have the room to store boxes at my place. I'd much rather just go out and get some from a supermarket or wherever when I need them than to keep stacks of them somewhere I'd keep tripping over them.
They tend to get moldy and don't last that long anyway, so I think it's better to just recycle them.
@umbra21 - You don't just want to keep boxes in order to be able to send them into the shop. I'm moving overseas in a few months and I'm really glad I saved all of the boxes for my desktop because it would be impossible to pack if I hadn't.
I'm not going to bring the whole thing, of course, just the more expensive parts of it like the hard drive and the graphics card. But you have to have anti-static bags to transport that kind of stuff and it's so much easier to just keep the ones it came with than to try and find more.
Decent moving boxes in general are annoying to find, so I'm glad I've had so many stored away in the garage. They just need a bit of packing tape and they will be ready to go.
I used to store every single box I got from appliances and electronics in the thought that if they broke down I would need the box to get a refund or repairs done. But apparently that's not true for everything. It depends on the item. Something like a laptop it's probably worth keeping the box because if you need to send it in to be repaired they expect you to be able to provide protection on the way. But items where the box is basically just a generic box without special inserts to hold the item in place, it's fine to just throw the box away or recycle it.
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