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You are here: Home / Recycled / Cardboard Boxes / How to Make a Cardboard Box Sturdier

How to Make a Cardboard Box Sturdier

By Noreen 11 Comments




by Noreen Doll.

When you find a cardboard box that is just the right size for an item you want to store, it’s handy to know how to make a cardboard box sturdier so that it will last a long time.

How to Make a Cardboard Box Sturdier by Crafty Journal

I have found that simple things like glue and Mod Podge really do a good job of making a very sturdy cardboard box.

Boxes frequently have weak spots, and these can easily be remedied with some glue and another piece of cardboard.

Supplies.

Glue

Pieces of Cardboard or Other Boxes That Can Be Cut Up

Scissors

Ruler or Yard Stick

Sharp Craft Knife

Pencil

How to Make a Cardboard Box Sturdier.

1. The first thing I do is examine the box for any 2 pieces of cardboard that lie next to each other.

Even though there may be some glue holding the pieces together, I try to add enough more to really fill the gap.

How to Make a Cardboard Box Sturdier by Crafty Journal

2. Gently hold the cardboard pieces apart and pour enough white Elmers Glue between them to allow the pieces to be glued together.

Put this glued side on wax paper on the floor and put something heavy on top of the glued part (with more wax paper between the weight and the box).

I use canned goods or books as weights.

The wax paper will collect any excess glue or dampness from the glue and protect the floor.

I like to let it dry several hours or overnight before I do the other end of the box and the bottom.

3. Glue the inside bottom flaps to the box bottom.

How to Make a Cardboard Box Sturdier by Crafty Journal

Use a weight to hold the bottom down for an hour or so until it is adhered.

How to Make a Cardboard Box Sturdier by Crafty Journal

If there is a space between the inside bottom flaps, you can cut a piece of cardboard to the size of the space and glue it in, so cardboard is glued all the way across the bottom.

If you have cut the flaps off the box, often one of the flaps can be easily made to fit in this space.

How to Make a Cardboard Box Sturdier by Crafty Journal

The cracks between the cardboard pieces aren’t big enough to be a problem.

This box holds reams of computer paper, and the ends of it are not very sturdy at the top.

How to Make a Cardboard Box Sturdier by Crafty Journal

For this fix, I cut a piece of cardboard from another box scrap to fit the upper part.

How to Make a Cardboard Box Sturdier by Crafty JournalAnd then I glued it in place.

Allow the box to dry overnight before covering the box with paper.

How to Make Easy Faux Wood Crates from Cardboard Boxes by Crafty Journal

My next tutorial will show how to make a faux wood crate using these cardboard boxes, like those pictured above.

Noreen Doll

Crafty Journal

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Filed Under: Cardboard Boxes, Recycled, Tutorials Tagged With: cardboard box, recycle, tips

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Comments

  1. Stella Lee@ Purfylle says

    April 14, 2015 at 3:10 am

    Now this is so clever! I’ve often thought a box was a good size but not strong enough and it never even occurred to me make it stronger. This project is a perfect match for our Two Uses Tuesday linky I’d love you to add it!
    I can’t wait to see how you prettied them up to look like crates!

  2. LHeure Bleue At Home says

    April 16, 2015 at 2:05 am

    That is a really handy tip as I frequently have to mail out fragile items! Thanks for sharing.

  3. Cathy says

    April 18, 2015 at 11:34 pm

    What a great tutorial for strengthening those boxes to last forever. I love your explanation. Thank you for sharing at Share It One More Time. Cathy

  4. Jann Olson says

    April 19, 2015 at 4:20 am

    What a clever idea! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

  5. Debbie Reaves says

    April 19, 2015 at 3:50 pm

    What a smart idea. Thanks for sharing!

  6. Nina Lewis says

    April 20, 2015 at 4:59 am

    I have never thought of reinforcing cardboard boxes like this! What a great idea. Thanks for sharing at Grandma Ideas Sharing Time link up.

    Nina

  7. Claire says

    April 20, 2015 at 4:33 pm

    Cool idea here 🙂

    Thanks for sharing,,,

  8. angie says

    April 20, 2015 at 10:09 pm

    love it what a great idea

  9. Brittany says

    April 22, 2015 at 11:34 am

    What a great tip! Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty 🙂

  10. tammy srtand says

    April 19, 2020 at 12:21 am

    Hello I recently purchased a hat box w/lid that strenthed with a glue gun. My plan is to put it on a smaller pedestal and use it as a night stand. I need it to beable to with stand a lamp about about 10lbs. my plan is to build up the inside using card board . top, middle, and bottom as filler with tape and glue for sturdyness. what else can I do to stiffin the outside other than the wallpaper or material and modepod.

  11. Noreen says

    May 2, 2020 at 11:27 pm

    That sounds like a fun idea. I think you will find that using Mod Podge or white glue between all places where there are 2 pieces of cardboard together, and then Mod Podging the whole outside, it should be pretty sturdy. I usually do about 3 layers of Mod Podge, allowing them to dry in between. Perhaps you could also put some sort of support inside the box – between the lid and the box bottom.

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