You’re welcome to use your own boxes: free ones, second-hand ones, a removal firm’s boxes, business cartons, plastic crates and suitcases can all go in your unit. Our boxes are there if you want them, and what really matters is that whatever you use is sturdy, dry and clean, because in a unit a box may be carrying others for months.
What makes a good storage box
Our advice is to use sturdy boxes in a few similar sizes, so they stack evenly. New boxes are the most reliable, and good second-hand ones work well too if they pass a quick check:
- Press a corner. If it folds easily in your hand, it will fold under a stack.
- Make sure the flaps still close flat, so the next box sits level.
- Look and sniff for water marks, mould or food. Skip any box that once held food or smells of it, because crumbs and smells can attract pests, and keep everything dry when it goes in.
Grocery and supermarket boxes are best kept for light things near the top of a stack. For anything heavy or fragile, a double-wall box is the safer choice. Fill each box to the top, so it doesn’t sink under the one above, and don’t overload it, as very heavy boxes can collapse or be hard to lift.
Crates, suitcases and soft things
Plastic crates you already own stack well and cost nothing extra. If you’re hiring crates, just check the hire lasts as long as your stay. Suitcases and drawers are handy for smaller things too.
For clothes, bedding and other soft items, we’d suggest boxes or breathable covers rather than plastic bags, which can trap moisture and lead to mould. Soft things are light, so they’re good for filling gaps and going on top.
If you’d like to buy
Our online Box Shop sells double-wall boxes in several sizes, moving kits, tape and protective wrap, delivered to your door. If you’re near Burton, Bath, Chipping Norton or Dorking, you can also buy packaging in store during office hours. Our guide to what the Box Shop sells explains which size suits what, and how many boxes you’ll need helps you count.
Many people mix the two: new boxes for heavy things and the bottom layer, and their best free boxes or crates for lighter things on top.
If you still need a unit, get a price online or call us on 0800 2545585, and we’ll help you work out the right size.
Related questions