Go to your local liquor store. Find out when they get their shipments in, and ask them to save boxes for you. They have many boxes that already have dividers that you can put individual light bulbs/items in. It's a green solution since your using that cardboard box over. Many times these boxes are extra strong, because of having glass in them. They work well for Christmas decorations, too.
By llpensinger from Ocean City, MD
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
My husband feels the need to stock up on light bulbs, and I can not figure out a good way to store them. I am hoping someone has a clever idea. I read the one about old liquor boxes with inserts, I liked that. Any other ideas?
By Dale D.
The packages that the bulbs are displayed in at the store are shipped from the manufacturer. The individual packages are packed in large cardboard containers and shipped from China, etc., and survive the long journeys well.
You can simply pack the original lightbulb packages in a box for storage.
I have a large family and I have noticed that no one stores their extra light bulbs in the same way.
Daughter stores hers in original holder in shoe boxes - one for each size if necessary and marks the wattage on the outside of the container. The shoe boxes are stacked on a shelf in hall closet. She keeps larger light bulbs in a container in the garage.
Son stores his in original holder (when possible) and stores them in Tupperware like containers that slide under his bed. He also keeps some in beverage holders (like the kind that hold wine coolers or bottled cappuccino) that are placed in dollar tree baskets and stored on a closet shelf.
Not very original but seems to work for them.
Keep a supply of one of each bulb you use in a closet at or near your meter box. Store the rest in boxes according to type inside a larger box.
we also stock up on them .and we keep them in their original holders and I put them in a plastic tote in the basement.... been working well for us !.
I keep a few on hand in their original packaging in a small extra drawer in a night stand. I can't see the need to stockpile so many as I've been reading here.
I got a plastic 3-drawer storage unit on Freecycle. I store my bulbs in there.
We purchased a lot of fluorescent light bulbs at Sam's (size of an incandescent light bulb) because DH likes to have lots of spare 40 watt equivalent bulbs in the house. They come in long sheets, too big to store in our usual light bulb cabinet.
I decided to trim the cardboard wrappers to get them to fit, but it's too thick. What's a good way to store them out of the sturdy packaging and limit breakage, yet keep them convenient?Try a pringles can, with some wadded up plastic bags in between. I also keep my longer ones in a shoe bag that is also my "junk drawer no more"!!
Now that's a good idea. Thepicture helps. Flat storage out of the way.
Thanks.
Sounds like you have the long, tubular bulbs. If so, some of the following may work: a canister type umbrella stand (about 2 ft. tall), a plastic Rubbermaid wrapping paper holder (maybe without the lid - depends on the length of the bulbs), or cardboard box that wallpaper rolls come in (ask a store that sells wallpaper to save one).
Thanks Poor But Proud for that photo. I never thought of that way of storing odds and ends. You are soooo clever. I really appreciate the photo. A picture is worth a thousand words, You are poor but smart ;-)
Can you store your extra light bulbs in an outdoor storage shed where it will get below freezing?
By Susie
Yes!
Be sure to let them come to room temp before using them first and make sure they are not damp.
Thank you! Exactly what I wanted to know re garage lightbulb storage where it will be below freezing.
