Both work well, and the right choice comes down to how long you’re storing, what you’re storing and how much you want to spend. For a longer stay, lidded plastic crates are worth it for books, paperwork and anything that mustn’t get dusty; for a few weeks or months, sturdy double-walled cardboard boxes do the job for less.
What each does best
Lidded plastic crates stack evenly, close securely and keep water out to a point. They’re reusable over several moves, and clear ones let you see what’s inside without opening them.
Double-walled cardboard boxes are light, cheaper and easy to label. Fill each one to the top and tape it shut, because a half-empty box squashes under the one above. Over a couple of years cardboard can soften, so it’s best for shorter stays.
Which to use for what
- Books and paperwork: small boxes or crates, so they stay liftable. For a long stay, lidded crates give paper the most protection.
- Clothes and bedding: either, as long as everything goes in clean and bone dry. For a longer stay, keep a crate’s lid on but don’t seal it airtight, and use a wardrobe box for anything on hangers.
- Kitchenware and fragile things: either, if every piece is wrapped and the container is full so nothing moves.
- Tools and trade consumables: a lidded crate keeps sandpaper and other damp-sensitive kit in good shape.
- Business stock that sits for a season: lidded crates keep dust off and stack squarely.
The one thing that matters more than the container
Plastic keeps moisture out, but it also keeps in any moisture that goes in with your things. Our units are standard self storage rather than climate-controlled, so make sure everything is completely dry before you pack it. A few silica gel sachets in each crate or box help soak up what’s left. Avoid plastic bags, which can trap moisture and lead to mould.
Whatever you choose, use one type and size per stack, put the heaviest at the bottom, and label each one on more than one side. All our sites have pest control measures in place and are regularly inspected by professionals, and a lidded container adds one more layer of protection.
Getting boxes and a unit
Our Box Shop delivers double-walled boxes, wardrobe boxes and packing materials to your door. If you still need a unit, get a price online, or call us on 0800 2545585 and we’ll help you plan it.
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