4 Ways To Store Packing Materials For Future Moves

Extra packing materials can show up around your home for many different reasons and you may be wondering what to do with them.

You might ask yourself - how do I organize my space with all these boxes in the way? What do I do with them? Do I need the boxes for a future move? Do I throw them away?

We have the answers to help you store or get rid of packing materials with ease. 

Holding on to a few packing materials is usually is a smart idea. Whether it be to help during your next move, selling an item from your home, wrapping a gift for a loved one, or simply just in case. 

Throwing cardboard boxes or materials anywhere in the room or garage and leaving them there is not advisable. Rather than overwhelming your space using such a method, follow the steps below for the best packing material organizing tips! 

You may have an excessive amount of cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, and other packing materials. As boxes are the biggest of the packing items, it is easiest to start with them and get them out of the way. Use a utility knife to cut down the boxes and lay them flat on top of one another. Alternatively, you could place the broken down boxes upright inside of a larger box to keep them contained and in one place. If you are stacking the boxes, you can attach a few ZipTies together and wrap them around the boxes to keep them contained. 

1. Moisture-free area

Moisture is an enemy of most packing materials, especially cardboard boxes. Areas in the house like the basement or garage are often more susceptible to a high level of moisture and can damage packing materials being kept for reuse. Mold and mildew are substances unsafe for boxes and spaces with a high level of moisture are more prone to their attack. When choosing a moisture-free location in your house, inspect the area to ensure it is free from leaks and would not be affected by potential rainfall or flooding. To avoid these issues, consider storing your packing materials underneath a bed in your home!

2. Look out for insects

Avoid storing boxes and other packing materials in areas prone to insect infestation. Not only can certain insects make a home between tied-up boxes, but they can also feed on them and render them useless. If the area you plan to store boxes in has a history of insect issues, choose another location where packing materials can safely sit until they are needed. 

3. Opt for a low fire-risk area

Packing materials are highly flammable so when you store boxes in an insulated area like the attic, you increase the possibility of greater damage if a fire accident occurs. Ensure to store packing materials around items that are non-flammable. 

4. Consider accessibility

Individuals store packing materials so they can come in handy when needed. If this is the case for you too, you need to pay attention to the accessibility of the area where the materials would be stored. To store packing materials safely means the items continue to remain protected until you need them for future moves. One way to achieve this is to keep the materials in a place where you can easily check on their condition to ensure the chosen storage method is effective. 

5. Roll or Stack Bubble Wrap

Bubble wrap can get very bulky and annoying if you do not organize it properly. The best way to condense your bubble wrap stash is to roll the sheets together into a tube shape and elastic into place. Another alternative would be to stack the bubble wrap sheets on top of one another and placing them in a large plastic bag or Tupperware bin. 

FUN FACT: 

Did you know that the packing peanuts are generally dissolvable now? They are made from potato starch meaning that you are able to put them right into your sink and pour hot water over them. Test a piece out and watch it dissolve! 

Is it necessary to store packing materials?

Numerous advantages come with holding on to some packing materials after you have completed a move or a big purchase. You may have a use for them in the future even if this means using them in other ways unrelated to packing.

However, if you are not interested in keeping your packing materials, there are better ways to recycle them rather than simply throwing them away. If you are considering letting go of packing boxes due to the limited space in your home, here are other ways to make good use of the materials:

• Exchange them for money: Sometimes, you just don’t have a use for all of the boxes and materials that come with moving. A good way to make use of what is left is to consider putting them up for sale. To purchase new boxes can be very costly so a lot of people look for gently used boxes and appreciate them at a discounted rate.

• Gift them out: Alternatively, you can simply look around you for friends or a growing business that could benefit from having free packing material to run deliveries with. This is an efficient way to quickly get rid of the items if you do not want to store packing materials. Provided these boxes are in a good condition, giving them out to businesses who need the materials for operations are always appreciated.