A wardrobe box can make unpacking in a new home easier.
A wardrobe box is a type of cardboard box equipped with very thick cardboard walls that support a metal bar. The metal bar is designed to hold coat hangers so that clothing can be hung in the box as if it were a closet. A panel at the top of the box opens to the box's back and two panels fold to its front to make reaching the clothing easier. A wardrobe box is useful for both short- and long-term storage as well as moving. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Put the box together, securing it with heavy-duty box tape. Secure the bottom flaps with one strip of tape that extends over both flaps and has an allowance of 4 to 6 inches up each side. Press the tape firmly to the cardboard. Add strips of tape that overlap the first strip to each side of the box. Add additional strips of tape that extend halfway across the flaps for additional security.
2. Insert two or three cedar discs into the box. These will help keep any clothing kept in the box fresh as well as protect the items from insects.
3. Zip your clothing into garment bags and tie a tag around the top of each bag that lists the items contained in the bag. This is particularly important if the box will be in storage for some time or the top may be left open. The garment bags will protect the shoulders of the hung items from dust and accidental staining.
4. Insert the garment bags with the hangers going the same direction (open side to the back) into the box. Hook the hangers over the metal rod in the top of the box. Space your garment bags so that the box is full but the bags are not pressed tightly together.
5. Secure the box's edges with tape. Bring the side flaps to the center. Position the back flap over the side flaps and wrap the tape along 6 inches of the side of the box, across the center edge of the back flap and 6 inches down the other side. Fold the front flap up and over to align the top flap edge with the taped back flap. Tape over the front edge immediately adjacent to the already taped back flap. Tape the front corners along the cut lines on each side. Tape horizontally across the front flap and taped corners every 6 inches. Tape across the top and back flap halfway from the center to each corner and 6 inches down each side.
6. Label the outside of the box with a large marker. List the name of the owner of the clothing, the date and the type of clothing contained in the box. This identification will make garments easier to locate.
7. Store your boxes in a dry place.
8. Elevate the bottom of the box off of concrete floors with strips of wood to prevent the cardboard from wicking moisture from the concrete. Check on your boxes once a month to make sure that there are no problems with them.
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