12 Things You Should Never Store In Cardboard Boxes

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Several everyday household items and treasured possessions should not be stored in regular cardboard boxes.

and the old toys your parents passed down to you "because the grandkids will want them someday." You're certain you'll do something with those old photo albums when you find the time, but in the meantime, they're safely packed up in a cardboard box. Or are they? These 12 items should never be stored in standard cardboard boxes. Learn how you should store them instead.

While cardboard boxes are suitable for short-term storage needs and transportation, they don't offer a permanent solution, giving them limited reuse value before their condtiions worsen.

You can easily access the contents and get settled right in. Moisture can be especially detrimental to items stored in boxes, especially when those boxes are stored in a humid or flood-prone basement. And lastly, the contents of cardboard boxes can be completely hidden, making it super easy to forget that you even had them.

* Valuables: Don't store valuable items like jewelry, family heirlooms, or important papers in cardboard boxes, as they can be easily damaged or lost.

Clothing And Linens

Pests, like moths, can destroy your clothes by eating holes in them. Rodents and other pests can make their homes in your bedding, causing unpleasant smells and stains. Excess moisture can lead to moldy, smelly laundry and potentially damage your valuable clothing.

Important Documents

Please don't store your aunt's genealogical research, your family's passports, or last year's tax return in a cardboard box. Pests are fond of eating such papers, and the heat and humidity constant exposure to can also cause discoloration and damage.

Photos And Books

In a cool, dry place, not near acidic materials like cardboard, folders, and envelopes.

Electronics

Sensitivity to the environment can cause sophisticated electronics to be damaged by high humidity, dust, and temperature fluctuations. When packing electronics in their original boxes filled with foam inserts can provide protection, it's not suitable to simply place them in any ordinary cardboard box for long-term storage.

Valuables And Breakables

We've all picked up on that sinking feeling when the bottom of a box gives way as we're holding it – the cardboard and tape just aren't designed to last over time. When it comes to transporting weighty or delicate items, it's a better idea to use a more substantial container.

Food Items

Rodents are skilled at opening cereal boxes—don't make it any easier for them by storing food in that location. Even supposedly non-perishable foods will spoil faster when exposed to extreme heat, and corroded cans are not safe for consumption.

Holiday Decorations

Other holiday items, such as decorations, aren't the best choice for long-term storage. Glass and other delicate objects can shatter while being stored, and pests or moisture can ruin wires.

Vinyl Records

Excess moisture can cause mold, which can hurt your valuable record collection. Mold can grow on record covers and the vinyl itself. Furthermore, vinyl can be damaged if it's exposed to heat, or when it's stacked flat in a box and squeezed by its own weight.

Sentimental Items And Keepsakes

Don't store your treasured possessions in a standard cardboard box if you want to preserve their condition. This applies to items such as family heirlooms, antique jewelry, and collections of coins. When exposed to moisture, metals can become tarnished or deteriorate. Additionally, many materials may degrade when stored with non-acid-free cardboard.

Crafting Supplies

It's no fun digging through a cardboard box without a clear view to find the right ribbon. Your valuable crafting supplies can also be ruined by moisture and pests.

Chemicals And Hazardous Materials

Don't mix your bleach with other household cleaners in a box.

Firearms And Weapons

You should securely store firearms and weapons in a location where they can't be reached by children or unauthorized individuals. Additionally, variations in temperature and humidity can lead to the development of rust and corrosion.

Alternative Storage Solutions

You can also consider using plastic storage bins as storage for documents, photos, and keepsakes, but only if they are completely dry and placed in an area that isn't very hot or extremely cold. Vinyl records should be stored standing up on a shelf or in a vinyl archival box in a place with a cool, dry climate, by the way. In general, when using containers for papers and keepsakes, think about opting for archival, acid-free boxes that won't damage them and place them somewhere cool and dry.

You can wrap and seal large electronics in static-free bubble wrap and then cover them with a blanket or another breathable material. Be sure to store them in an area with controlled temperature and humidity levels. When it comes to smaller electronics, store them in plastic bins and include a few moisture-absorbing packets to prevent damage.

Store clothing in vacuum-sealed plastic bags, garment bags, or a plastic storage bin under your bed or in your closet. Keep clothing in a part of your home with a stable and comfortable temperature.

It's not always safe to store everything in plastic. Specifically, you shouldn't store food in PVC plastic, as it can absorb toxic chemicals. Instead, use your shelves. In addition, if you handle household chemicals, be aware that they can react if they spill or come into contact with other substances. Put bleach by itself and place all chemicals in a cool, well-ventilated location.