Should you disinfect the packing supplies you've rented?

Renting packing supplies is a good way to save money. When you are moving, packing supplies are far from the biggest expense you have, but every little bit counts. Plus, if you rent green moving supplies, you’re also helping the environment. So, it’s a win-win. In addition, the packing supplies you get are specially made for moving. Initially, having quality supplies may not seem like a big deal. However, what if your fragile items break because the cardboard box you got from somewhere couldn’t hold the weight? You’ll definitely be kicking yourself for not spending the few extra dollars. Simply, don’t cause yourself unnecessary problems and rent good supplies. However, because somebody has already used them before you, you should think about whether you need to disinfect the packing supplies.

Is it imperative to disinfect packing supplies before you pack?

The short answer is no, it is not imperative. However, it is highly recommended. Any packing supplies that you rent from Capital City Bins have already been cleaned. And yet, as with all things in life, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you’ll only use the supplies for a day or two (and nobody else will be touching them), it’s not that important. You can give them a quick scrub and look for any obvious stains. On the other hand, if you’ll be storing your items for some time or using movers to carry them, then it’s another matter. In such cases, it’s best to disinfect your packing supplies. Luckily, quality packing supplies are easy to clean and maintain. Here’s how to do it.

It is highly recommend to disinfect the packing supplies you rent.

Get cleaning materials

To clean and disinfect the packing supplies you’ve rented, you’ll need a few things first. Don’t worry; none of it is too expensive. You can even make your own cleaning solutions. Get a few cleaning cloths or even use old clothes that you plan to throw away. Other than that, a bucket of water and a disinfectant is all you need. If you don’t want to buy a disinfectant, you can make your own. About 5 tablespoons of bleach diluted in a gallon of water will do the job. Rubbing alcohol is another cheap and effective disinfectant that you may have lying around the house. The only downside to DIY disinfectants is that they don’t smell as nice as the store-bought ones.

Scrub away

Once you have the materials you need, it’s time to disinfect the packing supplies. First, remove any debris that might be inside. Then, look for any obvious stains and clean them. A great benefit of renting plastic storage bins for moving is that they are extremely easy to clean. You don’t have to worry about damaging the material with your cleaning solutions. Once you remove any stains, simply apply the disinfectant to every surface (both inside and out). Once you are done, take a dry cloth and give them one more scrubbing. Finally, let them dry naturally and you’re done.

Cleaning packing supplies won't take you more than a few minutes.

A few additional tips

While it is important to disinfect the packing supplies you’ve rented before you pack, you shouldn’t stop there. It’s not a bad idea to disinfect them during transport, too. Keep a disinfectant on your person. Once the bins and boxes have been handled by someone other than your household members, disinfect the surfaces. You should do the same after you are done using them. Reusable moving totes will be used by someone after you, right? Give them a quick scrub before you return them, too. Applying these measures doesn’t take more than a few minutes. Such a simple step can safeguard your health, so why not do it.