When moving from one home to another, most people are familiar with transporting items in cardboard boxes. However, many moving companies are now renting reusable plastic totes for household moves. How do you decide which option is right for your move? Let’s look at the benefits and drawbacks of both cardboard boxes and plastic totes.

Availability

You can purchase cardboard boxes from moving companies or at hardware and department stores. Often, you can find used boxes at a discount on classified ad sites like kijiji or Freecycle. You may even be able to get cardboard boxes for free from local retailers. Once you own cardboard boxes, they are yours to keep for as long as you need them and they are in good shape.

Compared to free cardboard boxes, plastic totes are more expensive. Additionally, not all moving companies rent totes. You may have to rent totes from a different company in which case you would have to arrange for delivery and pickup. If you are doing a long-distance move, it may not be possible to use plastic totes because there is no pick-up location at your destination.

Durability

Cardboard boxes such as those collected from the grocery store, may not be very sturdy, not to mention many can not be sealed closed at the top for stacking purposes. But boxes used specifically for moving are designed to protect household goods during transit. For example, a “china barrel” has double-wall construction and reinforced corners to protect dishes (china) and other fragile items from getting crushed in transit.

Cardboard has several disadvantages. You must seal cardboard boxes with tape. Poor quality tape does not stick very well and it can be a nasty surprise when the bottom of a box gives way while loading the moving truck. Overstuffed boxes can rip and they quickly lose their strength if they get wet. Insects such as silverfish and roaches love to eat and nest in cardboard. You could end up moving an infestation into your new home with you, especially if you use used cardboard boxes.

Water does not damage or weaken plastic totes. Your electronics, photos and other paperwork may be safer in plastic if it rains on moving day. However, some types of inexpensive plastic totes become brittle and break more easily in extreme cold. This is something to consider if you are moving in the winter months. You do not have to tape plastic totes closed so there is less risk of the bottom falling out. Also, plastic totes will not rip if overstuffed. It is much easier to protect your items from insect infestation if they are secured in plastic totes.

Packing

Before you start packing your goods, you have to spend time assembling cardboard boxes. You need rolls and rolls of tape and a safety blade to cut the tape. Plastic totes save time in this respect because they are already box-shaped when you receive them. The totes “nest” in a stack making it easier to stay organized during the packing process.

With cardboard boxes, you can start packing weeks or even months in advance. If you are renting plastic totes, you have to pack everything within a shorter time frame.

Cardboard boxes come in many different sizes – from small boxes for heavy items too large ones for lightweight items. There are wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes and telescoping boxes for artwork. Additionally, you can cut cardboard to build a box for a uniquely shaped item. With plastic totes, you are stuck with only certain sizes.

Labelling the contents of boxes is very important to keep your move organized. If you are renting plastic totes, you must create a label with masking tape and write on that or use removal labels. You can write on cardboard very quickly using just a marker – on all sides if you want.

Shipping

Cardboard boxes have straight sides. They stack edge-to-edge. This allows them to hold their shape when stacked on top of each other. The straight sides of cardboard boxes allow the weight of the upper boxes to be distributed throughout the entire box below. This means even heavy cardboard boxes can be stacked higher than totes.

Household plastic totes, because they are designed to nest (stack up when they are empty), have sides that are slightly angled. This means they do not fit tightly together and actually take up more room in the moving van. It also means they may slide around and break or crack. Because the bottom of a plastic tote is narrower than the top, the entire weight of the tote is in the centre of the tote beneath it in the stack.

However, plastic totes used for moving, are made from heavy-duty plastic. They have slightly angled sides so they nest but the sides are also reinforced. This allows them to be packed with heavy items and stacked easily. Their unique design also means they stack in the moving van just like cardboard boxes.

Storage

If you have to keep your goods in long-term storage. Plastic totes are the best option. They keep your items safe from pests, vermin and water damage. However, you may have to purchase plastic totes as renting them for long-term storage may not be affordable – or even possible.

Unpacking

With cardboard boxes, you can take your time unpacking. If you are renting plastic totes, you have to unpack everything rather quickly to avoid incurring more rental charges.

Which is the Winner?

There is no clear winner between cardboard boxes and plastic totes. It all depends on the type of move. For long-distance moves, cardboard boxes may be the better choice if there is no pickup option for rental totes. For local moves, plastic totes are an excellent choice. A combination of the two might work best for many people. They could pack infrequently used items well in advance in cardboard. Closer to the move date they could rent plastic totes to pack the remaining items. It really depends on the client and their budget.

If you need some help deciding the best path to take, let Out of Chaos help. We can manage your move to minimize stress and disruption in your life. To find out more about move coordination services from Out of Chaos Professional Organizing Services, please visit Move Management Services or simply contact me today.

 

Photo courtesy: Bungobox Vancouver