Free boxes can save you real money on a move. They take some legwork, and not every free box is worth taking. Here is where people in Houston find good ones, which ones to skip, and when buying a few is the smarter move.
Start about a month before your move. Collect for a week or two, then start packing the rooms you use least.
Six Places to Find Free Moving Boxes
- Your workplace. Offices and stores get deliveries all week. Ask whoever handles shipping to set clean boxes aside for you.
- Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. Search the free sections for “moving boxes.” People who just moved often give away a whole set, sometimes with paper. Meet in a public place when you can.
- Buy Nothing and Nextdoor groups. Post that you need boxes. Neighbors who just unpacked are usually glad to get rid of them.
- Freecycle. Freecycle.org lists free items offered by people near you, including boxes and packing paper.
- Liquor stores. Their boxes are small and strong, and the dividers are handy for glasses. Ask when they restock.
- Grocery and big-box stores. Ask a manager when trucks come in. Go for dry-goods boxes, not produce.
Which Free Boxes to Skip
- Damp, stained or moldy boxes. They are weak and can damage what is inside.
- Produce and food boxes. They can carry moisture, smells and bugs into your new home.
- Crushed or soft boxes. Boxes get stacked in the truck, and a weak one at the bottom can give way.
- Too many odd sizes. Matching sizes stack tighter in the truck, which means less shifting on the road.
When Buying Boxes Makes More Sense
Free boxes work well for books, toys and everyday items. A few things are worth buying the right box for:
- Hanging clothes: a wardrobe box with a bar keeps them on hangers.
- Dishes and glassware: a double-walled dishpack box.
- Flat-screen TVs: a TV box sized for the screen.
- A tight deadline: if you have a week, not a month, buying a full set saves days of hunting.
Blue Ox sells boxes, tape, packing paper and bubble wrap, and we deliver them free in the Houston area or you can pick up at our warehouse. See prices on our moving boxes and packing supplies page, or call a moving consultant at (832) 934-2583 to order.
Packing Tips Once You Have Your Boxes
- Put heavy things like books in small boxes and light, bulky things in large ones.
- Fill empty space with packing paper so nothing shifts.
- Tape the bottom of every box well, and label each box with its room. See our labeling guide.
- Wrap glasses and dishes one at a time. See how to pack fragile items.
Rather not pack at all? Our packing crew brings the boxes and materials and packs your home for you. See packing services.
Free Boxes FAQs
Where can I get free moving boxes in Houston?
Ask at work, check the free section of Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace, post in a Buy Nothing or Nextdoor group, try Freecycle, and ask liquor stores and grocery stores when they restock.
Which free boxes should I avoid?
Skip boxes that are damp, stained, crushed or held food. Produce boxes can carry moisture and bugs, and soft or torn boxes can give way when they are stacked in the truck.
When should I start collecting boxes?
About a month before your move. That gives you time to collect enough and to start packing the rooms you use least.
Can I buy boxes from Blue Ox?
Yes. Call a moving consultant at (832) 934-2583. We deliver boxes and supplies free in the Houston area, or you can pick them up at our warehouse on Clara Road.
Planning a Houston Move?
Get a written quote the same day. Get a free estimate, see our hourly rates, or call (832) 934-2583.
