So, you’ve done it! After maybe months and months of planning, you’ve signed the contracts, money has changed hands and you’re actually moving. Thousands of things to think about, dozens of lists to make, and you know how important it is to be as organized as you can.
Perhaps you’ve downsized, like so many people are doing nowadays. Space is at such a premium in Israel, and in most big cities throughout the world, that many of us are looking at saving costs by living in some a home that is a little smaller. What does that mean? Less furniture, less clutter, keeping only the items you really need and use on a regular basis.
So how can you make sure you have the room for all your furniture and acquisitions that you have made over the years.? Remember that beautiful old grand piano you bought in Tel Aviv? Do you really still have room for it? Probably not. And how about the Victorian chaise longue, beautifully upholstered in rich brown velvet? Do you have room for that? Not a chance. But if you don’t want to sell or give these items away, and you want to keep these precious items, the answer is clearly, – put them in storage.
Once you’ve made the decision to keep some of your clutter somewhere else, your wise decision will free up space in your new home for essentials and give you options that you didn’t realise you had., Storing items of furniture that you don’t need right now is definitely the way to go.
Of all the numerous storage companies that are available, you must choose Ribua Storage. Why? Because Ribua is well-known as the best storage company in Israel. They will give you the best value for money and the most courteous and friendly service. They are centrally located in Petach Tikva, Tel Aviv, and Holon and from these central positions in the country, they will give you the best possible advice on how to store your items, tailored to your needs.
For instance, once you have completed your list of everything that you want to put in storage, how are you going to pack. Should you use plastic containers? Should you use cardboard boxes? Do you just wrap fragile items in newspaper? Or should you use bubble-wrap?
Ribua will take a look at what you are putting into storage and will advise you as to the best material you should be using.
Let’s look at the difference between cardboard boxes and plastic containers
Cardboard boxes are available in many different sizes and your representative at Ribua Storage will calculate how many you need and send them to you in good time before the move so that you can carefully pack your belongings, if this is your preference. If you don’t want to self-pack, they will do it for you.
Use thick corrugated cardboard boxes for more fragile items such as china, glass, vases. Some cardboard boxes are fitted with rails so they become wardrobe boxes, unless you’re only moving a relatively short distance and Ribua’s movers will supply you with rails so that they can literally lift all your clothes off the rails from your wardrobe. All your clothes will stay in perfect condition with no creasing, and they will be transported to your new home. There they will simply be re-instated on the rails in your new home’s wardrobes!
You realise that you may need a very large quantity of cardboard boxes but you will be pleased to learn that Ribua does NOT charge for the boxes – all part of the service. Generally speaking, Ribua prefers to use cardboard boxes rather than plastic., as cardboard boxes are more flexible and easier to organise. Different sized boxes can be more easily accommodated within your particular storage unit, and items can be packed more tightly, so the space usage overall tends to be better when using cardboard boxes.
Plastic containers are suitable for items like blankets, pillows, and other bedlinen. They keep their shape and can be compressed into a relatively small space. Another practical advantage of plastic containers is that they usually come with built-in lids which secure the contents. It’s easy to label the contents of plastic boxes with marker pens, and if you’ve closed everything up and remembered last minute that you need to add something to a particular box, it is easy to take off the lid and do so, rather than trying to undo a plastic box that’s been tied and secured. And needless to say, plastic boxes stack very nicely on each other and therefore remain stable and upright in the back of a moving van. Cardboard boxes however also stack well and if they are packed tightly, one up against the other, they don’t slide around in a moving truck.
If you have electrical goods, photographs, or photo albums, definitely go for the plastic option. If there is a sudden downpour on moving day, you would not want your photographs to be stored in a soggy cardboard box.
How about the environment? Which is more Environmentally Friendly?
Well, cardboard boxes would seem to be as they are easily biodegradable, they are made from re-used materials, and of course can be re-used after you’ve finished with them.
However plastic moving boxes are also made from recycled materials, and can be used dozens of times for many different purposes.
Just another point to consider –
Remember that if you rent plastic containers, they do have to be returned, which means that the items in them need to be unpacked and put away as soon as possible. We all know the nightmare of the newly-moved family surrounded by dozens of boxes but at least if you have used cardboard boxes, you can take your time and unpack a few every day until you’re settled and can breathe a sigh of relief. No more Boxes! Before you make a final decision whether to use cardboard boxes or plastic moving containers to move to your new home, consider the following points:
Storage considerations
If you are packing yourself, you need to bear certain things in mind when you consider whether you want to use cardboard or plastic containers. Plastic is of course more expensive but it does give your household items better protection, particularly from moisture or insects. Cardboard boxes are certainly recommended for short-term storage, and are adequate if your storage unit is climate controlled. For longer term, plastic containers would seem to be preferable as they do not attract pests, are more hard-wearing than cardboard, and of course are water-resistant. They can also be placed directly on the ground, regardless of the damp issues, whereas cardboard boxes would get damaged if there were to be any flooding.
So, the best advice is, use both depending on the particular items to be packed and the particular need. Both cardboard and plastic have pluses and minuses. Pack expensive and valuable items in plastic, and everyday items in cardboard. You choose what is right for you, and remember Ribua are there to hold your hand and give you answers and instant peace of mind.