Boxes Or Plastic Bags? Which Is Best To Pack Into A Storage Unit?
Your Self Storage in The Southern Highlands
When it comes to organising and storing belongings in your self storage unit, how and what to pack them in is a key decision. Among the most common options for packing materials are cardboard boxes and plastic bags. Both have their advantages and potential drawbacks, but which is truly better for keeping your items safe, organised, and accessible? In this blog post, we’ll break down the pros and cons of storing your items in moving boxes versus plastic bags to help you make the best choice.
Plastic dry cleaner bags are not ideal to store clothes long term.
01. PACKING MATTERS IN SELF STORAGE
Cardboard boxes provide structural integrity over flimsy plastic bags. The sturdy construction of cardboard ensures your things are well protected during storage minimising the risk of damage.
Plastic bags lack the rigid structure, so whilst it maybe a quick fix to pack soft items, like bedding and clothes, the chance that the plastic may be punchered exposing your goods to damage is much higher.
Over time plastic bags, including shopping bags and garbage bags, age and break down into smaller fragments. Structurally they can’t support the weight of the items in them. Too often we have seen when goods are stored in plastic bags that items fall through the bottom due to the weakened plastic.
Ensure clothes are clean and dry before folding into a container for storage.
02. STACKING and EASY TO LABEL
One of the key advantages of using boxes, especially those that are uniform in size, is stackability. Boxes are designed to be easily stacked maximising the use of height in the storage unit. Plus, they can be labeled with a marker, making it easier to identify the contents.
This not only helps you make most of the available space but also ensures a neat and organised storage layout.
Plastic bags being soft and flexible cannot provide the same ease of stacking often leading to an inefficient use of storage space.
Plastic bags don’t offer the same protection from dust and pests as cardboard boxes.
03. Protection from dust and pests
Cardboard boxes provide an additional layer of protection between dust and pests. Plastic bags being porous do not offer the same level of protection, leaving your belongings vulnerable to damage.
Cardboard allows air to circulate around the contents. This can help prevent moisture buildup, which is particularly important for items sensitive to humidity like books, clothing, and certain electronics.
04. environmentally friendly
Opting to use cardboard boxes aligns with good eco-friendly practices. Cardboard is recyclable, biodegradable and often made from recycled materials making it a more environmentally sustainable choice to plastic bags.
By choosing cardboard you don’t only protect your things but help to reduce your carbon footprint which is a win win!
Ultimately, the decision to use cardboard boxes or plastic bags is a personal choice and should be based on the type of items you're storing, the conditions of your self-storage unit, and the length of time goods are in storage. Whichever option you choose, make sure to pack and label your items carefully to keep them in good condition during their time in storage. Ensure everything is clean and dry before packing for storage, and if possible, always do a physical check of your storage unit. Silica gel packets are an additional guard to absorb moisture and can be placed in boxes and containers to help maintain a dry environment.
Need help with packing your self-storage unit? Contact us for advice on how to pack, expert movers and packers, and to purchase packing supplies for moving or storage. We sell quality, new and once-used, moving boxes as single boxes or in packs of 10.
