So you’re finally tackling that spare room or garage, and you’ve decided a storage unit is the way to go. Smart move. Now you’re facing the first big decision: what do you actually put your stuff in?
I’ve been in this business for over a decade at Bristol VA Self Storage, and let me tell you, I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the downright ugly when it comes to storage choices. I once had a customer open a cardboard box that had been on the bottom of a stack for two years. Let’s just say what was left of his college textbooks wasn’t pretty.
So let’s settle this once and for all: cardboard or plastic?
The Truth About Cardboard Boxes
Look, I get the appeal of cardboard. It’s cheap. You can get boxes for free behind most stores. For a quick move across town or storing stuff in your dry basement for a few months? Sure, cardboard’s fine.
But here’s what they don’t tell you about cardboard in long-term storage:
Cardboard is basically a welcome mat for every pest imaginable. Silverfish? They’ll throw a party in your boxes. Mice? They see your cardboard as both a snack and building materials for their nest.
Then there’s the moisture problem. Even in our cleanest units, air has humidity. Over time, cardboard acts like a sponge. It soaks up that moisture and gets soft, warped, and smelly. I’ve seen boxes on the bottom of a stack just… collapse. Like a sad, soggy pancake.
And don’t get me started on dust. After six months, that cardboard box looks like it’s been through a desert storm.
Why I’m Team Plastic Bin
Yeah, plastic bins cost more upfront. But let me ask you this: how much is your grandmother’s quilt worth? What about your kid’s baby photos? Your wedding dress?
Plastic bins are the unsung heroes of long-term storage. Here’s why we recommend them to every customer at our facility:
First off, bugs can’t eat through plastic. Moisture can’t seep in. That sealed lid creates a little micro-climate that protects your stuff from the elements.
But my favorite part? The stacking. Those bins are designed to lock together when you stack them. You can build a tower to the ceiling without worrying about the whole thing coming down like a house of cards. It actually makes my job easier when I see customers using them—I know their stuff is safe and organized.
The clear sides are a game-changer too. No more writing “MISC” on a box and forever wondering what’s inside. You can actually see your winter coats through the bin.
When Cardboard Actually Makes Sense
I’m not completely anti-cardboard. Seriously. Use cardboard for:
- Stuff you’re planning to get to in the next few months.
- Things that are basically indestructible (like that collection of old phone books nobody needs).
- When you’re on a seriously tight budget and just need to get things stored.
Here’s My Best Storage Tip
Whatever you choose, label it. Seriously. Write what’s in there and what room it came from. Your future self will thank you when you’re looking for the Christmas decorations and don’t have to open fifteen boxes to find them.
At Bristol VA Self Storage, we notice that customers using plastic bins just seem happier when they come to get their stuff. Their units are more organized, their belongings are in better condition, and they can actually find what they’re looking for.
That’s why we keep a few extra plastic bins around our office—for when customers ask what we recommend. We’d rather you spend a little more on good containers than be disappointed when you open your unit down the road.
So next time you’re staring at that wall of storage options, remember my advice: for the short term, cardboard’s okay. For anything you truly care about long-term? Go with plastic. Your future self will be glad you did.
Stop by sometime and we can chat more about storage solutions—coffee’s always on at our office.
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