Keep those keepsakes safe, and get rid of clutter, with these pro tips

Be honest: How many cardboard boxes do you have languishing down in the basement, stuffed up in the attic or flattened and tucked in a hall closet? After a move (or thanks to an insatiable Amazon addiction), we often have an overload of cardboard boxes. It seems wrong to just trash them. Why not use them to store stuff around the house?

Well, it’s time to rethink that idea. “Cardboard boxes are commonly used for storage, but they’re not ideal for long-term organization or storage in many cases,” says professional organizer Heather Aiello, CEO and owner of The Organized You. Ahead, Aiello and professional home organizer Brenda Scott, owner and operator of Tidy My Space, break down the reasons why cardboard just doesn’t stand up.

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Why are cardboard boxes bad for storage?

How much time do you have? “Using cardboard boxes for storage has a few disadvantages,” Scott says. Here are the biggies:

Lack of visibility

Unless you’re Superman and have X-ray vision, “you can’t see what’s inside,” Scott says.

This lack of visibility leads to other problems as well, according to Aiello. “Since you can’t see into a cardboard box, you’ll likely have to dig through multiple boxes to find items, which can lead to even more disorder,” she says.

Pests

“Cardboard often attracts pests, like insects and rodents, who can chew through it and create nests, especially if boxes are stored in basements, garages or attics,” Aiello says. Imagine looking for a treasured family photo album and finding a family of rats instead. Eek!

Moisture damage

Raise your hand if you have a climate-controlled garage or attic. No? Then cardboard isn’t the storage solution for you.

“Cardboard is sensitive to humidity and moisture, which can cause it to weaken, warp or develop mold and mildew,” Aiello says. “This is especially problematic for items stored in less climate-controlled environments.”

Deterioration over time

Cardboard boxes—even thick, double- or triple-walled versions—deteriorate over time. Stacking or moving them frequently accelerates the damage, especially if they’re not full or the weight isn’t properly distributed. “If the boxes weren’t properly packed from the beginning, they will definitely start to collapse if they are stacked on top of one another,” Aiello says.

What items should you avoid storing in cardboard boxes?

The problems with cardboard-box storage apply to pretty much everything in your home. Cardboard is great for moving and temporary storage, and in a pinch, it can be a handy way to shuttle items to and from donation centers and rummage sales. But for long-term options, Aiello and Scott advise against it.

Here are the most important items to avoid stashing in cardboard boxes, according to the pro organizers.

Clothing and linens

Do you reorganize your linen closet seasonally—say, trading lightweight fabrics for heavier items after the first frost? There’s no problem with storing clothing and bedding for later use, but don’t do it in a cardboard box. “Cardboard attracts moisture and pests that can ruin fabrics, causing mold, mildew or even holes,” Aiello says. “Moths can easily get into cardboard boxes and ruin your clothes quickly.”

Scott adds that when you pull your clothes out of storage, “the items will smell damp and possibly get stained if in direct contact with the cardboard.” She reminds us that “fabrics stored inside boxes make a lovely nesting ground for mice.”

Important documents

We live in a digital world, conducting business, making purchases and signing and storing important documents online. It’s easy to forget about an old home deed or title that’s rotting away in a cardboard box. But you know who won’t forget? The bank, when you search for that needed document only to find it shredded into a cozy critter bed.

Even if you don’t have a pest problem, the cardboard itself can harm your hard-copy documents. “Cardboard contains acids that can damage paper items, leading to yellowing and deterioration over time,” Aiello says.

Photos

It’s fair to say most of us have hundreds, if not thousands, of photos on our phones, computers and social media accounts. But there’s something special about having physical photos, especially beloved school pictures or family portraits with relatives who have passed. They can transport you to an earlier moment in your life or even a time before you were born. That’s why the last place you should store these memories is in a cardboard box.

The same acids that degrade your documents can ruin your family photos. The backing will become brittle and eventually compromise the image. Moisture is also a problem, especially if the photos aren’t contained in an album. “If loose photos are thrown into a cardboard box, the photos could stick to the box and be ruined,” Scott says.

Books

Books suffer the same fate as photos and other paper products: yellowing, pests and moisture.

Aiello points out another issue: “Books are heavy, which can weaken cardboard over time, causing boxes to break,” she says. “People tend to overpack a box with books, and it will become heavy very quickly.” Save your back, and look for another way to organize your books.

Electronics

Cardboard-box storage can compromise sensitive electronics for a few reasons. “Cardboard offers no moisture barrier, and pests or dust can easily get into the box, damaging delicate components,” Aiello says. Storage in damp basements, garages or storage units compounds the problem, as do temperature fluctuations, Scott adds.

But wait—aren’t most gadgets shipped in cardboard boxes and stored that way in the store? Yes, but they’re in temperature-controlled warehouses. “Most electronics come wrapped in plastic with silica pouches to absorb moisture,” Scott says. She recommends unboxing your electronics as soon as possible and advises keeping them in a “dry, steady-temperature environment.”

Valuables and breakables

“Breakables are just that: breakable,” Scott says. “Cardboard boxes may not have the structure to hold up to being stacked,” potentially crushing your valuable heirlooms. That’s especially true if moisture compromises the cardboard.

Jewelry, collectibles and other small items also risk loss. “These items are easily forgotten and misplaced if stored in a cardboard box,” Scott says.

Food

Come on, you know this is a bad idea, at least in the long term. “Food can attract pests, and cardboard won’t protect against rodents or insects,” Aiello says.

Canned foods fare better than dry goods like flour, oats and rice, especially in isolated areas. “Infestation will happen with paper bags of [dry goods],” Scott says. But even canned goods could rust in a damp environment, Aiello points out. And canned food is heavy, so if you’re going to box it up, Scott suggests using small boxes.

Another reason to skip cardboard storage boxes: What if you forget about the food? “If the [canned] food item is years over the expiration date, the can will start to fail,” Scott says. “This failure, if a liquid item, could degrade the cardboard box and cause a collapse.” Then you’re really going to get bugs and mice—not to mention a gross smell.

A better idea? Keep food out of cardboard boxes (and organized in the kitchen) if you can help it.

Holiday decorations

Christmas is over. You’ve opened all the presents, sent the kids back to school and said goodbye to your last visiting relative. It’s time to take down the lights and holiday decorations. Don’t throw them in a cardboard box, says Aiello.

Many ornaments are glass, and unless you’re really careful, the weight of heavier items could crush more delicate decor. Tossing strands of lights in a box is a recipe for disaster too. Mice love to chew on wires—that cardboard box is no defense—and you just know your lights will be nice and tangled when you haul them out next year.

Record albums

Vinyl is having a moment, and whether you are just getting into collecting or have a stash from the ’70s filling an entire room of your home, it’s important to store your records correctly. That means avoiding cardboard and never stacking them flat—especially in a damp or hot room. You risk warping the vinyl and developing black spots of mold on the cover and sleeves, Scott says. “Any damage to the album cover will degrade the value of the item, and any warping of the record will make it hard to play.”

If you do use a box—say, for a move or temporary storage—”records should be stored standing up, [which] allows airflow between the albums,” she says. But “record albums can get quite heavy, so a cardboard box may not be up to the job.”

Sentimental keepsakes

It’s hard to part with sentimental items from our past, and for some things, the idea of saying goodbye is unthinkable. So keep these treasured mementos out of cardboard boxes. “Keepsakes like baby clothes, old cards or heirloom items can easily be damaged by moisture, pests or acidity in cardboard,” Aiello says.

Craft supplies

Painting, scrapbooking, building model airplanes … no matter what you’re into, avoid storing crafting supplies like paint, glue, fabric and paper in cardboard boxes. For starters, you won’t be able to see your supplies at a glance, and nothing dampens crafting enthusiasm like rummaging through stacks of boxes.

Other reasons to avoid cardboard: “Paints can leak, and paper or fabric attracts pests,” Aiello says. And just like photos, documents and clothing, crafting paper and fabrics are vulnerable to moisture.

Chemicals

We all have chemicals in our homes, from cleaning products like bleach and ammonia (which you should never mix!) under your sink to antifreeze and paint thinner out in the garage. It can be tempting to tuck infrequently used chemicals into a box and store it in the basement. Don’t. “Most chemicals need to have good airflow around them, and being stored in a box doesn’t supply that,” Scott says.

Cardboard-box storage also doesn’t allow you to see what’s inside, and with chemicals, that’s a no-no. Always check the label before putting any chemicals away. “Some chemicals state on the container how they should be stored and what other chemicals they should not be stored near,” Scott adds. “Not following these precautions could lead to an explosion or poisonous fumes.”

Dangerous items

Never store guns or knives in a cardboard box. Full stop. “Firearms and knives are just too accessible to people and could be used to harm others,” Scott says.

Other dangerous items that should not be stored in cardboard are lithium batteries and spray paint, which could explode or start a fire. “Once again, a cardboard box may not protect the item from harming someone,” Scott says.

Even if you aren’t worried about the dangers of a gun falling into the wrong hands, cardboard boxes don’t stop moisture, which could cause rust buildup on firearms and knives, “degrading their value and use,” she adds.

What are the best ways to store everything?

By now you know cardboard boxes are out. So what’s in? Aiello and Scott break down the storage options they recommend to all their clients.

Clear plastic bins

“For better long-term storage, it’s generally safer to choose durable clear plastic bins that protect against pests, moisture and environmental damage,” Aiello says.

When purchasing storage bins, focus on two of Scott’s nonnegotiables: They should be “clear so that you can quickly see what’s inside and with lids so [they] can be stacked,” she says. “Throw in a silica pouch to be sure that no moisture gets in.”

Vacuum-sealed bags

These can be a good choice for clothing, linens and bedding if your storage is climate-controlled. (Vacuum-sealed bags, while tough, can melt in extreme heat.) They’re fantastic for clothes closets because they “help to keep moisture and pests out and will also take up less space in storage,” Aiello says.

Fire safe

Important documents should be stored in a locked, fireproof and weatherproof safe. Trust us: Should the worst happen, you don’t want to lose your family’s birth certificates along with your home.

Solid-sided crate

This one is specific to chemicals, which should be clearly labeled and stored in open, solid-sided crates, Scott says. Open crates allow vapors to disperse, while the solid sides will contain any spillage.

About the experts Heather Aiello started The Organized You six years ago and now partners with the Container Store as an in-home organizer. Her services include closet design and organization, decluttering, move management and downsizing. She is a member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals and is based in New England. Brenda Scott is the owner and operator of Tidy My Space of London, Ontario. Credentialed by the organization Professional Organizers in Canada, Scott is a certified Senior Home Safety Specialist and certified Adaptiv Home Specialist who helps seniors stay in their homes longer. She is the author of Decluttering and Downsizing with Compassion and Care.

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Sources:

• Heather Aiello, CEO and owner of The Organized You; email interview, Oct. 31, 2024
• Brenda Scott, owner and operator of Tidy My Space; email interview, Oct. 27, 2024