Cardboard materials can be used if you want to have sustainable products. But the cardboard boxes themselves are very susceptible to what water and moisture can do. Because of this, many people want to make their cardboard boxes waterproof.
The reasons for this vary either the product contains oil or grease that could ruin the box, or the product itself is expensive and breaks easily when it gets wet.
No matter the reason, keeping cardboard boxes from getting wet is easy and costs little.
To achieve environmental sustainability, we did a lot of research and we have found many different ways to keep cardboard boxes dry.
You can keep your cardboard box from getting damaged by things outside in several ways. Technically, a waterproof cardboard box doesn’t mean that the box itself is waterproof. Instead, it means that the box has a layer of waterproof coating on it.
This also shows that whatever method is used, it needs to cover all of the boxes, including their edges and corners, to work.
Because they are made of paper, cardboard boxes can easily break down if even a small area hasn’t been treated and could get wet.
Coat in Resin, Epoxy, or Wood/Paper Glue
If you apply one or two coats of resin, epoxy, or wood glue to your cardboard, it will become less susceptible to tearing and will have increased resistance to water.
The substance you apply prevents liquid from reaching the pulp, which may cause the pulp to become softer and undermine the structural strength of the cardboard.
Additionally, the cardboard is more resistant to accidental tearing or ripping due to the substance you apply.
Resin, epoxy, and glue can be found in craft and hardware stores. You will also need a flat paintbrush, the size of which should correspond to the dimensions of the cardboard.
Applying a coating of any of these liquids or powders to dry cardboard is as easy as painting it. It is best to wait until it has dried completely before applying a second layer. Before using the cardboard, ensure it has had enough time to dry off properly.
Using Waterproof Cardboard Box Coating
You can use a coating made of polyurethane, clear acrylic paint, or lacquer spray sealer spray to make cardboard waterproof.
On their own, these protective coatings don’t pose any health risks, but they should never be used in a room that doesn’t have enough airflow. Because the coatings can catch fire, there must be enough room for air circulation.
Start by putting on your safety gear, like gloves and goggles. Put a sheet of plastic on the ground to get the environment ready.
After you put the cardboard box on top of the plastic sheet, you can use it to cover the other valuables at your workstation. Give the can a good shake to ensure the colors are spread out evenly.
Also, shake the can well before each use. Keep 12 inches of space between the can and the box’s surface as you spread a thin layer of paint in a direction perpendicular to the top of the box.
Spray in a steady back-and-forth motion, and then let the first coat dry for a few hours before applying the second.
After the surface has been painted, you can use a spray can to add paint spots along the edges and corners.
Layered Cardboard Method
Using the next method, your cardboard will be thicker. This could be a problem for some uses, especially ones that need the board to be a certain thickness.
If you don’t care about that, this method will make your cardboard stronger than the one you used.
For this job, you need epoxy or strong wood glue. After putting a thin layer of glue on the cardboard, put another piece of cardboard on top and paint the glue.
After pressing the parts together, you must wait until the glue is completely dry before moving on. You combine this step with the one that came before it to make it even stronger, even though waiting for each layer of glue to dry may take a long time.
Foam-Cardboard Combination
This is to add material such as foam that can reinforce the cardboard and boost stress absorption.
Apply epoxy or glue to a piece of dry cardboard, but instead of adding a second layer of cardboard, add a piece of foam that has been cut to match the same size and shape as the cardboard. This will prevent the epoxy or glue from drying out.
Maintain this pressing motion for many minutes or until the substance has entirely dried. The final step is to apply glue to the second piece of cardboard, place it on the opposite side of the foam, and then wait several hours for the glue to dry.
Tape over the Joints and Edges
When cardboard boxes are made with soft, low-quality cardboard, the edges and joints are the most likely places to break. This is especially true if the joints need to be made better.
If you don’t have time to wait for glue or epoxy to dry, or if you can’t find either at your store, the strong tape will do.
Use strong tape that is made to last, like duct tape or packaging tape. I wouldn’t recommend using Scotch tape or masking tape because Scotch tape doesn’t last very long, and masking tape is made of a paper-like material that tears easily. You should use a different kind of tape instead.
Putting tape on the box’s edges and joints will give it more support and strength, making the structure more stable.
Because you could have just covered the cardboard with something else, there are better ideas than taping the whole outside of the box.
When it comes down to it, it’s also inconvenient to open the box. On the other hand, you can make the box even less likely to break by taping the outside seams and edges over and over again on all sides. This will keep the box from getting broken.
Additional Lath Support
This is the best way to use large cardboard boxes that could break open from the bottom if they hold a lot of weight.
Laths are thin strips of wood, usually a few millimeters thick and a few inches wide. To complete this task, you will need laths.
For this method to work, you will need at least two layers of stacked cardboard. You will also need a staple gun and staples that can be used with wood.
To give the most support, you will need to put laths in two different places: at the bottom in the shape of an x and on the corners (the length of the laths needs to be equal to the height of the box).
Use the staple gun to hold the laths in a place where you want them. You can fasten it from the inside with staples, which will also serve as the bottom support. When putting in the corner laths, you will have to work on the outside of the building.
You might need a second pair of hands to staple the corner laths. This is because you must put some pressure on the laths and cardboard to press them together.
Cardboard is a versatile material that can be used for many different things such as cardboard furniture. However, its fragility can change depending on what it will be used for.
If you are worried about your cardboard breaking, these tips can help you strengthen it so that it is less likely to tear or get damaged while it is being used.
Let’s now start attaining sustainability for our environment by using eco-friendly materials.
