Skip to main content

Storage Dilemmas: Plastic or Cardboard?

A self-storage unit is the perfect solution if you are in the process of moving, need extra space to store holiday decorations or furniture, or if you need to hold onto important documents without having them underfoot. Whenever you begin to pack and store your possessions, you probably wonder whether it’s better to use plastic bins, cardboard boxes, or a combination of both. What works best in your Cabot storage unit? Here are some things to consider.

Cost

There is no doubt that plastic storage bins are going to cost you far more than cardboard boxes—especially when it’s possible to get some or all of your cardboard boxes for free from a helpful supermarket produce manager or liquor store manager. So if your budget is slim, go with cardboard. There are other advantages to cardboard as well (see below), but a cardboard box is always the choice of those who don’t want to spend a fortune on filling their storage unit.
Durability

You might think plastic always wins the durability contest, but that isn't the case. While plastic doesn't degrade quickly, it does get brittle with time. Rough handling can cause cracks, as can exposure to heat and sunlight. Cardboard boxes, though made of glued layers of paper, can be surprisingly strong, lasting for years if kept dry and with adequate air flow. Choose the highest quality you can afford of either plastic or cardboard. The big advantage that plastic has in terms of durability is that it is also waterproof. Where cardboard will eventually being to grow mold and mildew before turning into a smelly, mushy mess, plastic will simply and stalwartly keep your possessions dry (barring any leaks from cracks or ill-fitting lids, of course).

Stackability

If you’re going with cardboard boxes, you've got great stackability, even if the boxes are different sizes. Just be sure that heavy boxes are on the bottom of the stack and that you fill any empty space in a box with a filler that will help the box retain its shape and strength. Plastic boxes are often designed specifically to be stacked, and as long as you keep heavier boxes on the bottom, you won’t have to worry about filling up empty space.

Purpose

The final consideration for your Cabot storage unit plans is for what purpose you are storing something. Documents are best stored in sturdy plastic for its waterproof qualities, but clothing and textiles might be happier in cardboard, where air can circulate around and within the box. For items like dishes, the choice is yours, as long as you wrap each dish in paper or cloth to keep them from breaking. If you are a college student on a limited income, cardboard boxes you glean from stores or friends are perfect for your needs. If you have the money to spend, a well-organized selection of plastic bins is easier to label and stack with ease. Or you can use a combination of both to protect the things that matter to you most.

This is a sponsored post in part by Bucks2Blog

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Pickle Juice Company Review

How many of you are super athletic and active during the summer months? I used to be...prior to having children and now, it seems I chase them all around so that counts as something, right? One concern that many athletes and active people have during the summer is hydration and the risk of dehydration, especially if you live in a hot/tropical climate. We life in NY state so we have four full seasons, our summers can be hot and humid and if you are active, that can be challenging. The other issue that many run into is having a sports drink that can replenish and refresh their system that is gluten free and healthy for them too. Food allergies can limit the choices when it comes to hydration drinks. So, today I am going to introduce you to The Pickle Juice Company . This company specializes in gluten-free sports drinks that will stop muscle cramps in their tracks and keep you hydrated and refreshed no matter what activities you are participating in this summer! Before I continue wi...

Prem Soaps Review

I often love to highlight beauty and skin care products here on my blog and have been on the search for some really great and organic beauty companies to feature. When it comes to my skin (as I have said numerous times before) I am choosy as to what I use on it. Our skin really takes a beating...especially when exposed to the weather and indoor elements such as water, heat, cleaners and soaps . Have you noticed that most soaps today...even though they smell great...contain LOADS of chemicals and additives? I have, and honestly-it's scary. Think about it...your skin is like a giant sponge; what goes ON gets absorbed IN. So I think it is important to use only those products that will put goodness in...rather than chemicals. The other day I was searching the Internet for organic kitchen products . Specifically, I was looking for bamboo products, towels, dishes, etc. However, I was NOT prepared to find what I did! Prem Soaps is a little company nestled in Brooklyn, NY that...

Wholly Guacamole Review and Giveaway

***GIVEAWAY CLOSED*** Here in our home, we are big time snackers. My husband always says "Time to eat again!" right before he goes to bed...it's tradition!!! So, off to bed he goes carrying a plate of some type of snack. His favorite foods are usually hot foods to "warm up" his belly before dozing off for the night. HOW he enjoys this I don't know. Usually he brings in extra for me too but because I brush my teeth before crawling into bed I don't normally partake of his night time snacks. We LOVE salsa in our house too...it is just something that is always a part of our snacking. The best part about snacking on salsa is that it is usually healthy for you...which makes it all the more enjoyable! This next review encompasses guacamole AND salsa...and my my-it is GOOD! I have heard of Wholly Guacamole before but had never tried it. So when the opportunity arose for me to conduct a review of their products, I was thrilled! Mainly because I have ...