Sturdy cardboard boxes

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

And then I glued it in place.

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

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

• Round cardboard Hat boxes
• Design cardboard boxes
• Silver cardboard boxes
• Strong cardboard boxes