Did you ever think that news about moving boxes could be “shocking?”

Ok, we have to admit that the description and history of your average corrugated cheap moving box is not the “stuff” of Hollywood legends. But having said that, when you really need a good box, one that you can count on to hold your clothes, and all the stuff you have accumulated and some of which you cherish – then you realize just how “shocking” or at least how helpful some good info about the “good ole” everyday box for moving and shipping your stuff can be.

Let’s start with a bit of box history, shall we?

Cardboard boxes are industrially prefabricated boxes, which are primarily used for packaging commercial goods or storing and relocating goods and materials.  They can be made from corrugated or non-corrugated cardboard (the latter is also known as “paperboard”).  In their latter stages of usability, they are popularly and variously employed as cheap material for the construction of a range of projects, among them being science experiments, children’s toys, play costumes and insulative lining.  In fact, boxes have been heralded as saving the earth from the ravages of toy makers.  How’s that?  There are environmental groups that recommend “the simple, basic, unglamorous, glorious cardboard box” as a present for young children, citing as its merits the fact that it doesn’t matter if it breaks or wears out and it pollutes less than a toy manufacturer.  Hmmm…!

People Everywhere Are Raving About
These Amazing Discount Boxes – Seriously!

A good moving box also makes for discounted living costs…Living in a cardboard box is stereotypically associated with homelessness. However, in 2005 Melbourne architect Peter Ryan designed a house composed largely of cardboard. 

The first commercial cardboard box was produced in England in 1817.  The first cardboard box manufactured in the United States was made in 1895.  By 1900, wooden crates and boxes were being replaced by corrugated paper shipping cartons. The advent of flaked cereals increased the use of cardboard boxes. The first to use cardboard boxes as cereal cartons were the Kellogg brothers.

<<Need a Wardrobe Box – Click on it

Can you Love a Moving Box?

Ok, I’m sure you get the point from our “interesting” though, somewhat “tongue in cheek” look at the basic everyday (and most lovable) moving box.  The most practical question before us is: so what?  Well, as you see, this site is all about moving your goods from one location to another.  Can boxes help in that regard?  That’s a facetious question, right?

Do you remember the days when your Mom and Dad would send you down to the grocery store  to pick up whatever boxes they had left over from restocking their shelves the night before?   You’d come home with a few apple boxes, a couple whiskey boxes and a feminine protection box or two.  Well, as much as you may miss those moving box excursions, due to the capacity and  inventiveness of current box manufacturers, that “one box size” fits all, no longer has to “fit all.”    There are box strengths, sizes and shapes to meet nearly every packing whim.  We all certainly dread the thought of our boxes dumping all our goods on the ground because they’re not strong enough – thus the Technical Association of Pulp and Paper has a test for just that concern:

This test is known as 32 ECT (Edge Crushed Test) which is more commonly known as 200lb test. This test meets all acceptable industry standards and is in accordance of the Technical Association of Pulp and Paper (Item 222/Rule 41).

These ratings are standard from the box industry, and help insure that your household belongings will arrive safely. Weaker boxes will crush under load. No moving, truck rental or self storage company should sell a moving box weaker than 32 ECT (200lb test).

  Consider some of your box options
– The following are commonly available boxes for moving. You may want to copy and print out this list to help organize your packing and moving.

• Moving Boxes – Small kits –  For packing heavy items like books and records
• Moving Box – Medium – 18″ x 14″ x 12″ – 3.0 cu/ft: For packing kitchen and other items.
• Moving Box – Large –  20″ x 20″ x 15″ – 4.0 cu/ft: For packing bulky items like linens and towels
• Moving Box – Extra Large –  23″ x 23″ x 16″ – 6.1 cu/ft: Lamps, TVs, Toys, blankets
• Wardrobe Box Large –  24″ x 24″ x 40″: extra wide and double walled for large loads. Includes hanging bar.
• Kitchen Boxes (Dish Pack) – 18″ x 18″ x 22″: Use what the pros use to pack a kitchen – heavy duty 44ect dish boxes.  Packing Paper for your dishes and more: 25 Pounds Per Bundle
• Frame Moving Boxes –  41x6x26 – Great for shipping, storing large picture frames, mirrors and any large thin items
• File Moving Boxes  – 16×12.5×10  Pack your Home Office in minutes!

So there you have it…a brief packing box excursion.  Frankly, I’m glad that we have many more options, and the strength and security that we can count on when we pack up and relocate out household belongings.  There’s just something about a nice solid box that makes my stuff feel secure…and my cats like them too.

The packupthehouse.com team!!