The following everyday objects and mementos should not be kept in regular cardboard boxes.
Each attic contains several boxes tucked away—those you never got to unbox following the previous relocation. Grandpa's coin collection And the vintage toys sent by your parents because “the grandchildren might enjoy them one day.” You’re sure you’ll eventually do something with those old photo albums once you get around to it, but for now, they’re securely tucked away in a cardboard box. But are they really safe? Here are 12 items that should not be kept in ordinary cardboard containers. Discover what alternatives you can use instead.
Why Storing Items In Cardboard Boxes May Not Be The Best Choice
Although cardboard boxes are inexpensive and readily available (frequently obtained for free from a nearby newcomer), they offer minimal protection. Being made of paper, these containers degrade and disintegrate with time. They can be penetrated easily by insects and various pests as well. rodents can easily crawl inside and make themselves at home. Moisture can damage the contents, especially when boxes are stored in a humid or flood-prone basement. Last but not least, cardboard boxes hide their contents, making it easy to forget you ever owned them in the first place.
Things You Should Avoid Storing in Cardboard Containers
Clothing And Linens
Wool and wool blend fabrics can be used for clothing. damaged by clothes moths , which will eat holes right through your favorite sweaters. Other pests—including rodents—can make a cozy nest in your linens, leading to unsanitary odors and stains. Moisture can result in moldy, smelly clothing and potentially ruin delicate fabrics.
Important Documents
Don't store 10 years of your aunt's genealogical research, your family's passports, or last year's tax return in a cardboard box. Pests are happy to chew up these papers and constant exposure to heat and humidity will discolor and damage them.
Photos And Books
Again, insects and dampness can cause the destruction of these valuable items. Additionally, it’s crucial to keep in mind that photographs can deteriorate upon exposure to non-archival materials—even something as common as regular cardboard boxes. Similarly, this applies to books and documents. photos should be kept In a cool, dry setting and kept distant from acidic cardboard, folders, and envelopes.
Electronics
High humidity, dust, and varying temperatures can damage advanced electronic devices. Although storing these items in their initial packaging along with Styrofoam provides protection, avoid placing them randomly in ordinary cardboard boxes for extended periods.
Valuables And Breakables
Many of us have had the experience of a box’s bottom giving way as we hold it in our hands—the cardboard and the adhesive used can degrade with age. For transporting heavy or delicate items, opt for a more robust container instead.
Food Items
Pantry moths And rodents excel at infiltrating cereal boxes—avoid making their task simpler by storing food in cardboard containers. Non-perishable items can deteriorate more quickly under high heat, and consuming contents from rusted cans isn’t safe either.
Holiday Decorations
Many of us have one or two boxes. filled with ornaments Or other seasonal decorations, however, this method does not provide an ideal approach for prolonged storage. Glass and other delicate objects might shatter, and wiring could get ruined by rodents or dampness.
Vinyl Records
Water causes dampness which leads to mold growth; this could ruin your cherished record collection. Mold has the potential to develop both on the album sleeves and directly on the vinyl records themselves. Additionally, vinyl can become warped due to either heat exposure or simply because of being stored horizontally under their own mass within a boxed container.
Sentimental Items And Keepsakes
If you value your mementos, avoid storing them in a cardboard box. This applies to items ranging from vintage correspondence to ancient jewels and coin sets. Metals can corrode or deteriorate due to moisture exposure, and numerous materials break down when kept in non-acid-free cardboard.
Crafting Supplies
It’s not enjoyable to search blindly through a cardboard box for the perfect ribbon. Additionally, your valuable crafting materials could get ruined by dampness and insects.
Chemicals And Hazardous Materials
Hazardous materials ought to be kept on a visible shelving unit so you can easily monitor them for any leaks or spills. Additionally, they shouldn’t be concealed from sight. risk a chemical reaction by tossing your bleach in a box with other household cleaners.
Firearms And Weapons
Firearms and weapons should ideally be securely stored in a location inaccessible to children or burglars. Variations in temperature and moisture levels can lead to rusting and deterioration as well.
Alternative Storage Solutions
Plastic storage containers serve as a viable option for keeping documents, photographs, and mementos provided they remain completely dry and are placed in environments free from intense heat or significant temperature changes. Meanwhile, vinyl records ought to be positioned vertically on shelves or inside specialized archival record boxes within a cool, moisture-free space. As a rule of thumb, when opting to utilize boxes for paperwork and collectibles, always go with archival, non-acidic ones to prevent deterioration and store these items in a cool, dry location.
Big electronic items should be encased and secured within static-resistant bubble wrap then topped with a blanket or another airy covering. Ensure they're kept in an environment that’s temperature-regulated for best care. For small electronics stored inside plastic containers, include some moisture-wicking desiccants, but remember to take out their batteries beforehand.
Clothing can be stored In sealed plastic bags, hanging garment bags, or inside a plastic storage container beneath your bed or within your closet. Ensure clothes are stored in a temperature-regulated part of your house.
Not everything deserves to be wrapped in plastic. Avoid storing food in PVC plastics because they might soak up dangerous substances; opt for shelves instead. Certain home cleaning agents can undergo reactions when they come into contact with plastic surfaces, particularly if spilled, or even interact negatively with one another. Keep bleach apart from other items and store these materials in a location that is both cool and properly ventilated.
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