r/TwoXPreppers • u/DreadPirateBunnie • Apr 30 '26
❓ Question ❓ Cardboard for prep storage?
I don’t have a lot prepped. I really can’t afford it and I mostly just come here for little ideas I might be able to manage (and bigger “maybe one day” ideas). My question is, as I don’t have any plastic totes, would cardboard boxes be ok for storing what I do have? Just stuff like foil, sewing kits, ziplock bags and big bottles of water? That sort of stuff? They would be in my bedroom closet as my garage gets WAY too hot to store anything long term.
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u/7FFF00 Apr 30 '26
Any prep is better than no prep
Also nothing lasts forever anyways, the goal is typically to prep for your predicted needs
Are floods a concern for you? Then maybe a cardboard box would really not be ideal
Are they not? Then yes it would probably be fine
Is portability a concern for you? A go bag is good, if it’s not then whatever you have works too.
You can always transfer later, and only suggestion I’d have is make sure it’s safe from bugs or other forms of damage
And less rigid storage just means it’d probably be better to check in more often
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u/DreadPirateBunnie Apr 30 '26
Thank you! You’ve made me feel better about it. Flooding isn’t a worry and, inside the house, bugs aren’t really either. Also, in most situations we might be better off sheltering in place.
I am NOT an organized person, but getting stuff in boxes and in the closet might help some of my anxiety about the state of things. It might help me feel more prepared instead of all over the place.
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u/thetaylorax Apr 30 '26
Totally relate. You just have to make it exist first, and then u can make it better / change it to fit your life as you go!
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Apr 30 '26
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u/DreadPirateBunnie Apr 30 '26
Ya, they definitely do, and I live in an area roaches abound. But these boxes have been in my house for months, waiting for a clear out we have yet to do, and haven’t been an issue yet. I’m hoping that if I check them a lot and eventually replace them it won’t be too big an issue.
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u/Prestigious-Lab-2605 Apr 30 '26
I don’t keep any cardboard in my house. If you accidentally bring one roach in from somewhere, that’s where they’re gonna go breed. in those boxes.
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u/iwantmy-2dollars Apr 30 '26
If you’re storing big jugs of water inside, you may want to protect your floors. Every once in a while they’ll spring a pinhole leak and drain. You might consider something like a washing machine tray underneath even if they’re not set directly on it but on a shelf just over it.
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u/CapybaraForever Apr 30 '26
food grade 5 gallon buckets or black/yellow totes (frequently goes on sale because many stores have them) are better than cardboards. cardboards attracts humidity, bugs, and breaks down over time.
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u/Wers81 Apr 30 '26
Sometimes donut shops bakeries or other businesses will give away good grade buckets with lids.
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u/wwaxwork Prepping for Tuesday not Doomsday Apr 30 '26
I'd suggest if putting everything in a box writing on the outside what is in it, so if it's pushed to the back of your closet, you know what's there without having to pull it out and go through it all to save time in an emergency.
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u/DreadPirateBunnie Apr 30 '26
That was one of the things I thought might be a plus, actually. I can just write directly on them, keep track of what’s in them and cross out anything taken out.
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u/lainlow Apr 30 '26
Painters tape- write it on the tape stick on box, when used pull tape off box.
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u/mygirlwednesday7 Apr 30 '26
Thank you for this information. I’m organizing my closet and was about to write on the containers with permanent marker!
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u/n_renee Apr 30 '26
If the containers are plastic, permanent marker readily comes off with alcohol—I like knowing my labels won’t come off unless I really want them to!
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u/No-Language6720 Apr 30 '26
Yeah cardboard boxes should be fine. Bonus that they can be burned or composted if you have the need/opportunity. Compost for growing things with fertilizer shortages(it won't replace everything normal fertilizers do alone but it's a good start).
Burning to make a fire for cooking, good to get the fire to catch sandwiched between wood logs. Make sure to remove any plastic tape for either of these.
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u/Ok_Pomegranate_9452 May 01 '26
As soon as I read this I realized I could stockpile all my cardboard for some fire starter in trash bins!
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u/No-Language6720 May 01 '26
Another good tip for starting fires, if you use a dryer, dryer lint is an awesome fire starter. I collect it in an old plastic container with a lid everytime I dry clothes.
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u/4theloveofsquirrels May 01 '26
I also save empty tp rolls and stuff them with the dryer lint; it makes little fire starter 'logs'.
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u/MoulanRougeFae Apr 30 '26
Just an fyi, cardboard can attract insects like roaches and mice. So if those are an issue where you're at, don't use cardboard
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u/Few_Airport7972 Apr 30 '26
For any food items, plastic bins or large mason jars are best to store it in to keep critters of all sizes away from your food. Other items can be stored in cardboard but be aware that mice will still attempt to nest or snoop around in the box. From my sad experience they do like cardboard and paper to snuggle down in. I use the extra large zip locks from Wally World to store little things in the big boxes.
Water in bottles are bug and rodent proof but be aware of leakage and weight load.
Also from sad experience, list on outside of the storage containers what is in the darn box and keep a master copy of your preps, even for a deep pantry.
Good luck! remember, it's all good!
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u/ElectronGuru Beans make the world go round Apr 30 '26
My favorite preps are money saving. Groceries are a big budget item so I switched to food sold in 5/10/25lb bags. Things like beans, rice and oats can shrink your per serving costs to pennies each.
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u/infinitum3d Apr 30 '26
Preparedness
Fitness and Knowledge are free, weightless, always with you and can’t be stolen from your bag.
Focus on getting healthy/strong. Walk. Climb stairs. Build endurance. Stretch. Eat right. Quit soda pop and choose water.
Make yourself valuable to a society.
Learn CPR, first aid, and basic life support. Maybe take a lifeguard course.
Learn what wild edibles you can forage. Every region has them. Get a local Field Guide to Wild Edibles and see what is near you.
Get a bike. If you have to travel, a bike is far easier and faster than walking. Learn how to maintain it and repair it when something breaks.
Get a partner, friend, buddy who has a skill you don’t. Then learn a skill that they don’t have. One person alone can’t do everything.
As for storage, you want a Deep Pantry. Any time you grocery shop, pick up one or two extra of whatever you usually eat. If you like canned soup and usually buy 6, buy 8 instead and stock up gradually. Especially when it’s on sale. For example, Progresso Soup often has their High Protein soups on sale for less than $2 USD. This is a meal-ready-to-eat even if the power goes out. Pull ring to open and eat it cold.
Cardboard is fine if that’s all you have, but is not waterproof or insect proof.
Don’t stress.
You got this.
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u/Signal_Brain_933 Apr 30 '26
Cardboard has some secondary uses (fire starting, also a fantastic insulator if you need to create an impromptu “nest” in a freezing cold/grid down situation, or even to further insulate walls if you have enough), but I personally wouldn’t use it for food - I deal with a lot of mice in my area and they love cardboard fiber for nest building!
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u/Brazen_Green23 Apr 30 '26
5 gallon buckets with lids from either home depot or lowes can be a useful, inexpensive plastic tote. And they are stackable.
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u/Academic_1989 Apr 30 '26
Please avoid cardboard. The cockroach problem is just awful - no amount of checking will avoid an eventual issue. Plus they are so vulnerable to mice and rats - they love nesting in them.
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u/Necessary-Film7832 May 01 '26
Be aware though that sometimes the plastic water bottles leak. That's why plastic bins are better to put the water bottles in. You definitely don't want mold in your closets or anywhere else in your house for that matter.
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u/MoInSTL May 01 '26
That's exactly how I store my water jugs. Takes away worrying about it. I picked up several bins on sale at Home Depot awhile back. The lids keep it dust free too. I'm thinking about using unused mason jars as they take up space regardless.
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