A cardboard wardrobe box allows you keep your clothes hung up nicely while making the transition to your new home. Great for when that new closet your ordered hasn’t arrived yet to your new home.
It takes the effort and stress out of moving by essentially providing you with a moving closet. This provides some of the same benefits as if your clothes were still hung up at home.
What Are They?
Wardrobe boxes are moving boxes used for packing clothing items by the hanger. They have a metal bar used for hanging the items. The box fully encloses the clothes when all the flaps have been folded over and taped down.
The boxes use corrugated Kraft walls. Wardrobe boxes usually use double walled construction that allows for high maximum weights to be loaded. The chart below shows how corrugated wall ECT ratings detail the maximum weight you can carry. In general how heavy moving boxes should be is dependant on the type of loads being transported inside them.
| ECT Rating | Maximum Weight Capacity | Number of Corrugated Walls |
|---|---|---|
| ECT-32 | 65lbs | Single |
| ECT-44 | 95lbs | Single |
| ECT-48 | 100lbs | Double |
| ECT-51 | 120lbs | Double |
| ECT-90 | 280lbs | Triple |
| ECT-155 | 300lbs | Triple |
What Are the Benefits?
Firstly they keep the clothes from being exposed to the elements. Secondly they allow you to save time by removing clothes straight out of your closet and into the wardrobe box. Thirdly they maintain clothes in good condition by keeping them unfolded and giving them room for good airflow. This refrains bad odours or bacteria from being built up. A cardboard wardrobe box saves you time by skipping the need to fold, unfold and iron press clothes.
In addition they allow you to have a place to hang and store your clothes at your new home when you do not yet have a closet installed. Most are capable of fitting between 1.5 and 2 feet of clothing along the internal bar.
One of the biggest benefits is the fact that corrugated cardboard is extremely lightweight. Weighing a fraction of what a typical closet does. These wardrobe boxes typically feature cut out handles in the sidewall, and are light enough to be lifted by a single person, even when loaded with clothing.
Some of the clothing types they are useful for include:
- Dresses
- Suits
- Coats
- Jackets
- Pants
- Skirts
- Kids Clothing
What Are Some Other Uses For Cardboard Wardrobe Box
Wardrobe boxes can carry more than just hung clothing items. Their wide dimensions and useful shape allow for a range of other household items to be packed into them.
Ideal for packing bulkier household items that are generally lighter in weight. Items of this type may include:
- Bedding
- Pillows
- Underwear
The free space at the bottom end of the box lends itself well for softer items to be placed here. Heavy and harder items will not be held in place within the free space will not be secured down properly while the box is on the move. These items could then potentially knock clothes from the rail or pull the rail itself down.
How Much Do They Cost?
Wardrobe boxes are relatively low cost for the benefits they provide. In direct comparison to your traditional cubed moving boxes they cost more, however the time savings they provide by not having to unfold and iron press clothing and by keeping clothes with good airflow are well worth the additional cost.
They range from $30 – $90 dollars for a pack of 3 wardrobe boxes with a 20″ bar. The pricing will depend upon several factors such as size, side wall strength ratings, and added features such as cut out handles.
Are There Any Alternatives?
There are no real alternatives for keeping clothes well spaced out and hung when moving across long distances. Whether you are comfortable placing all your clothes tightly packed inside a box without good airflow. Short journeys where the items will be boxed for a few hours lend well to being boxed in traditional packing boxes. There are several viable options for storing clothes in boxes for the short and long term.
Our Recommendations
We have our personal list of top 7 wardrobe boxes outline in a previous article.
In brief look for wardrobe boxes that use strong corrugated Kraft walls. This lends itself well to carrying heavier loads. Ideally you’ll also want cardboard handle cut outs if you foresee the need to carry it any type of distance.
Lastly, ensure that the dimensions of the wardrobe box, especially the height, is long enough to accommodate the full length of your clothing items.
This is especially true if you have long garments such as lengthy dresses or jumpsuits.
Conclusion
Cardboard wardrobe boxes save us time by allowing us to transfer our hung clothing items directly from our closets straight into a package moving box, ready to be transported.
This saves us precious time that would have to be used to remove the clothing from the hangers. Fold them neatly into a packing box, then repeating the process in reverse order once they reach their final destination.
Saves clothes from becoming creased and picking up foul odours during shipping.
You can find a set of 3 wardrobe boxes between $30 – $90 dollars depending on how many premium features you require.
They are additionally useful for carrying soft bulky items such as pillow, bedding and sets of underwear.
Here’s Something Else You May Like:
Top 7 Wardrobe Boxes for Moving House
How to Pick the Best Moving Box and Packing Boxes – Full Guide – All Packing Boxes