How to Get FREE Boxes

It's easy to get FREE boxes, you just have to know how.

How to get free moving boxes
How to get free refrigerator boxes
How to fit 8 refrigerator boxes in your car

How to Get Free Moving Boxes

Websites for getting moving boxes:

Moving boxes come in standard sizes, and some have proportions similar to refrigerator boxes. In particular, wardrobe boxes work great! If your project is going to be inside, wardrobe boxes are smaller and much better than refrigerator boxes for indoor projects. If you are building a project for toddlers or small children, "Dishpack" boxes are a great alternative. Again, they have similar proportions to a refrigerator box, but are much better for indoor projects. Even better, it's pretty easy to get your hands on moving boxes.

How to Get Free Refrigerator Boxes

Find out who delivers

Don't waste your time going to Home Depot/Lowe's/Sears/Best Buy/etc. They won't give you any boxes. But you do have to call them. Ask for the "appliances" or "delivery" department and say,

"Hi, I sure hope you can help me. I'm looking for refrigerator boxes, and I know your store doesn't have any. But I was told that the local delivery company that works for you does. Can I have their name and phone number?"

Cardboard Box Now, the part-time high schooler who works evenings and weekends might give you an 800 number for GE. That's the hotline he calls to schedule deliveries. So call back during regular business hours (when the full-time person is there), and specifically ask for the number of the local delivery contractor. You may have to call several times at different times of the day until you get someone knowledgeable...but it's worth it!

Eric from San Diego found the Home Depot delivery contractor for the entire San Diego area, and they have up to 30 refrigerator boxes a day, six days a week! You should see Eric's castle! Judy from Houston went to Conn's (a major appliance retailer), and got the number for their warehouse, where they had boxes galore!

Visit Your Local Appliance Retailer

Places to get FREE boxes:
  • Local Appliance Store
  • Bicycle shop
  • Building Contractor
  • Cabinet Dealer
  • Furniture Store

Many communities (especially smaller ones) still have a local, family owned appliance store. The best stores give away boxes on a daily basis, so don't be afraid to ask. It helps them to get young families into the store - and young families buy appliances.

Refrigerator boxes are the biggest, but it can be hard to get eight refrigerator boxes, depending on the size of the store. All boxes do not have to be the same size. Washer/dryer boxes work just as well, even though they are a little smaller. Washer/dryer boxes are really easy to get for some reason...I guess washer/dryers break more often.

If you cannot get eight boxes, Mr. McGroovy's cardboard castle plans can easily be adapted to accommodate any number of boxes, or any space constraints.

How to Fit 8 Refrigerator Boxes In Your Car

how to cut boxes to fit in your car picture

Take your own utility knife so you can cut down refrigerator boxes as shown and they will more easily fit into your vehicle. Most of my plans assume each box will be in this configuration (i.e. top and bottom flaps cut off).