Your business has an abundance of boxes that need storing. But how do you store them properly? The last thing you want is for your boxes to get damaged before you can use them. This can cost time and money, and hinder your business's ability to get packages out the door and into customers' hands. Here's what to consider when storing shipping boxes for future use.

Best Boxes for Storage

Some boxes fare better than others in storage. Regular cardboard boxes tend to have the hardest time. They're especially susceptible to moisture and insects and are also highly flammable.

Corrugated boxes, which have a sturdier construction, do much better, especially if they're made with water-resistant and flame-retardant properties.

Common Issues When Storing Boxes

There are a few common hazards that you need to watch out for when storing boxes.

Moisture is a big one. It can weaken boxes and even promote mold and mildew growth. Insects are another. For many creepy crawlies, boxes are the stuff of dreams. They can tear apart the box and eat it (cockroaches, crickets, and silverfish are known for consuming organic material of any kind) or use the shreds to build their nest.

Most boxes are made from flammable materials, so you should make sure to never store them near sources of heat or other flammable materials.

Finally, try to keep boxes from taking up more space than they need. Boxes can take up a lot of room if you don't store them properly. This isn't necessarily a hazard, but wasted space is wasted money, so you want to avoid it as much as possible.

How To Store Boxes

Not sure how to store boxes properly? Here’s what to consider when storing shipping boxes in your home, office, warehouse, or wherever else your business packages their products.

Keep It Cool

Moisture and humidity can lead to damaged and moldy boxes, which are unusable. You'll end up throwing them away.

To prevent this, always store your boxes in a cool, dry place away from windows, bathrooms, and other places where condensation is common.

Don't Let the Sunshine In

When choosing a place to store your boxes, avoid windows and doors. Repeated exposure to sunlight can discolor your boxes and make them appear faded.

Fold Them Up

Found the perfect location to store your shipping boxes? Here's how to store them in a way that maximizes space and makes finding the boxes you need easy:

• Make sure they're completely empty
• Flatten them
• Group boxes together by size
• Tie up groups with rope or string
• Store horizontally
• Check on them occasionally and inspect for damage

After a Year...

Unfortunately, boxes don't last forever. After a year of storage, most boxes become damaged, dirty, or discolored. You should either toss or recycle them.

Searching for the perfect box? Pantero has boxes in all shapes and sizes. Shop with us today for large side loader boxes or if you need custom boxes, ask us about our BoxAwesome custom box program.