What’s the Catch with Free Moving Boxes?

January 9, 2018
Packing
Billy Cole

It’s nice not to have to pay for things once in a while, especially when you’re moving because there are so many expenses you have to worry about. But one area you shouldn’t cut corners on is packing. Boxes in particular. If you’ve ever moved before, you know cardboard boxes can be the biggest packing expense due to the vast number of containers you need to pack your stuff in. While it’s tempting to take what you can for free, there is a catch. Just be aware of those catches before picking up those free boxes at the grocery store or anywhere else for that matter.

The short answer: Free boxes have already been used. That means they’re weaker, they may be dirty or carry pests, they rarely come in the sizes you need, and hunting them down costs you time and gas. If something breaks inside a box you packed yourself, getting a damage claim paid can also be harder. Free boxes can still work. You just have to be picky about which ones you take and what you put in them.

What to Check Before You Use Free Boxes

Condition of the boxes: Make sure the boxes you’re considering aren’t flimsy, with sturdy bottoms and flaps that will close completely at the top. Substandard-quality boxes can fall apart when you try to move, causing your stuff to break or sustain damage. You’ll end up paying dearly for that damage, far more than if you were to buy high-quality boxes in the first place.

Strength: Make sure the boxes have no holes, rips or weak spots. Check the seams for wear and tear.

Cleanliness: How clean the boxes are makes a big difference. This may not matter when it comes to packing your old tools, workshop items or sports equipment, but it will certainly matter when it comes to packing your linens, towels, clothing and stuffed animals. Consider what the old boxes were used to store, such as vegetables, fruits or chemicals, before you use them for your personal belongings.

The dry factor: Make sure the boxes have not sustained water damage in the past. Even if they’re currently dry but have watermarks on the bottom, don’t use them. Their integrity has been compromised, meaning they can become flimsy or even have mold on them.

Pests: This is the catch most people don’t think about. Boxes that held produce or other food, or sat in a stockroom, garage or storage unit, can carry insects like roaches, moths and even bed bugs. Pack those boxes with your clothes and bedding, and you can bring the problem straight into your new home. Look inside every box and along the seams before it comes in the house. If you see droppings, eggs, webbing or food residue, leave it behind.

Size and type: When you rely on free boxes, you take what you find. That usually means a random mix of shapes that don’t stack well and don’t fit what you’re packing. You also won’t find specialty containers like dish packs or wardrobe boxes behind the grocery store. Those are built to protect specific items, and there’s no good substitute for them. See our guide to the different types of packing material for what each one is for.

Hidden Risks and Costs

Aside from all of the above factors, there are hidden risks to finding and using free or cheap moving boxes. Those include:

Lost time and hassle: You may be on a mission to locate every last free or cheap moving box you can find in your town. You may have a checklist of every grocery store in your community, but before you head out to each one, consider the time you’re losing as well as your sanity as you go door to door. Yes, you may save upfront costs, but what is your time worth?

Extra expenses: Driving around to businesses in your area also incurs extra costs, such as fuel and mileage on your car. Across a spread-out metro like Dallas-Fort Worth, a few trips can quickly eat into whatever you saved on boxes.

Harder damage claims: If you hire movers, who packed each box matters. Federal guidance from the FMCSA notes that packing boxes yourself can make it harder to establish a claim against your mover. When a box you packed arrives with no outside damage but something inside is broken, it’s tough to prove the damage came from handling rather than from the box or the packing. Weak, reused boxes make that problem worse. Before moving day, ask your mover how they handle claims on boxes you pack, and read up on your moving insurance and valuation options.

How to Use Free Boxes Safely

If you do go the free route, these steps cut down the risk:

Use them for the right things. Free boxes are fine for soft, unbreakable items like linens, towels, pillows and out-of-season clothes. Put dishes, glassware, electronics and anything you can’t replace in new, sturdy boxes. Our glassware packing guide explains why.
Reinforce every bottom. Re-tape the bottom seam and the edges with quality packing tape, even if the box looks fine. Here’s how to fold and tape boxes for a secure move.
Don’t overload them. A used box can’t take the weight a new one can. Keep heavy items like books in smaller boxes and fill gaps with packing paper so nothing shifts.
Avoid common box mistakes. Mixed sizes, half-empty boxes and missing labels all cause problems on the truck. Check out these mistakes to avoid when moving boxes.

Where to Find Good Cardboard Boxes

If you really have your heart set on locating free or affordable boxes, there are better ways to go about this. Ask your friends and neighbors if they have extra cardboard boxes. This is easy if it’s around holiday time and everyone has big shipping boxes left over from Amazon and USPS. Or, if someone in your neighborhood has recently moved, hit them up for leftover boxes. They may be happy to give them to you, as they may have been planning to recycle them anyway. Boxes from a recent move are often your best bet, since they’re actual moving boxes in common sizes.

Hit up social media to ask friends that live beyond your neighborhood. Try neighborhood apps like Nextdoor, Facebook Marketplace and local Buy Nothing groups, or online sites like Freecycle and Craigslist, to scout out free boxes.

Other places that have cardboard boxes:

Large supermarkets
Big box stores
Shopping centers
Home electronics stores
Bookstores
Liquor stores
Pharmacies
Office supply stores
Recycling centers

Remember, call first before you go to save yourself time and gas money. If you hit the jackpot, you can find one store for all your cardboard box needs.

If your time is more valuable than hitting up all those stores, consider buying boxes at an affordable rate from your mover. Many people mix the two: free boxes for soft goods, new boxes for fragile and heavy items. For more ways to keep costs down, see our planning tips for moving on a budget.

When you’re done unpacking, pass your boxes along to a neighbor who’s moving next or recycle them. It’s an easy part of an environmentally friendly move.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are free moving boxes safe to use?

They can be, if they’re clean, dry, pest-free and structurally sound. Inspect every box, reinforce the bottoms, and save them for soft, unbreakable items.

What should I never pack in a free box?

Dishes, glassware, electronics, artwork and anything valuable or sentimental. Those items need strong new boxes, and often specialty boxes, to travel safely.

Is it cheaper to buy boxes or get them free?

Free boxes cost nothing upfront, but you pay in time, fuel and risk. If one box fails with fragile items inside, the replacement cost can easily outrun what you saved. For a lot of people, the smart move is a mix of both.

Contact Around the Clock Moving and Storage in Dallas

Not sure you want to pack at all? Our packing services guide explains when it makes sense to hand the job to pros. We supply reinforced boxes, tape, packing paper and other materials, delivered ahead of time if you want to pack yourself, or our crew can bring everything and pack for you.