What are wardrobe boxes used for, and are they worth it? While we have said that you can purchase DIY materials for moving, it is also important to remember the adage, “You get what you pay for?”
Specialty boxes do have their place.
That’s as true of packing supplies. Although you can save money by reusing old boxes and employing creative packing techniques, specialty boxes do have their place. High-quality moving materials can make your moving day much less stressful.
Wardrobe boxes are an excellent example. Though they cost more than regular moving boxes, they compensate for that with the time they save you. Wardrobe boxes are the easiest and safest way to pack your clothes.
Wardrobe boxes are special moving boxes designed to store clothes you would rather hang than fold. They are typically taller than normal moving boxes, made of heavy-duty cardboard, and include a metal hanging bar.
Like most moving boxes, wardrobe boxes generally come unassembled. You can purchase wardrobe boxes individually or in packs. Packages labeled as closet, wardrobe, or bedroom moving kits often include two or more wardrobe boxes along with small, medium, and large moving boxes.
Not everyone needs wardrobe boxes when they move. For clothes that sit in your dresser, regular cardboard moving boxes or plastic storage boxes will suffice. However, if you have hanging clothes, wardrobe boxes will help keep them wrinkle-free and streamline the packing and unpacking process.
Because these boxes tend to be sturdier than regular cardboard boxes, they can help protect tall or bulky items from being scratched or otherwise damaged. For example, extra-large wardrobe boxes can be a great way to pack dining room chairs. Think creatively: if you fill a wardrobe box with shirts, you may have room to place shoes or folded linens in the bottom of the box.
Wardrobe Box Sizes
Wardrobe box sizes will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. But here’s a general description:
Small: 24 inches long, 24 inches wide, and 34 inches high and holds up to 80 pounds. This size gives you 2 feet of hanging space. It is tall enough to hold shirts, blouses, folded pants, and sport coats.
Medium: 18 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 46 inches tall and holds up to 100 pounds. Because it is a full foot taller than the small size, it can accommodate longer garments, such as pants, winter coats, and dresses. However, it only provides 18 inches of hanging space.
Large: 24 inches long, 24 inches wide, and 48 inches high and holds up to 100 pounds. This box provides as much hanging space as the small box but stands 2 inches taller than the medium box.
EZ: Several brands offer wardrobe boxes designed for easy assembly. These boxes require no tape and often measure 20 inches long, 20 inches wide, and 34 inches high. U-Haul calls them EZ wardrobe boxes, and Home Depot labels them Easy Up.
Shorty: Some brands offer wardrobe boxes that are slightly more compact and therefore easier to ship than the standard or small size. These boxes, which Uline calls UPSable and U-Haul calls Shorty wardrobe boxes, are 24 inches long, 20 inches wide, and 34 inches high and provide two feet of hanging space.
Tall: Most brands offer wardrobe boxes with a little extra height for long garments. However, they may differ in what they consider tall. Home Depot labels its 44-inch-high wardrobe boxes as tall, whereas Uline’s stand 60 inches high.
Grand: U-Haul offers a grand wardrobe box designed to protect your most expensive clothes, including suits and dresses. This box measures 21 inches long, 24 inches wide, and 48 inches high and features a double wall for extra sturdiness.
Laydown: Laydown wardrobe boxes measure roughly 36 inches long, 21 inches wide, and 10 inches high. They are wide enough for you to leave your clothes on hangers and lay them in the box flat or folded. Some brands call these flat wardrobe boxes.
Suit shippers: Uline’s suit shipper boxes measure 22 inches long, 4 inches wide, and 40 inches high; 22 inches long, 8 inches wide, and 40 inches high; or 22 inches long, 12 inches wide, and 40 inches high. The smallest box has a 4-inch wardrobe bar that holds one to two suits, while the largest has a 12-inch bar that holds six to eight suits.
Eco: Home Depot’s eco wardrobe boxes are made from 100% recycled material. They come in two different sizes: 20 inches long, 20 inches wide, and 31 inches high or 20 inches long, 20 inches wide, and 39 inches high. The latter option is also labeled heavy-duty.
Investing in high-quality boxes is especially important if you are planning a long-distance move. The further your items need to go, the sturdier your boxes should be. U-Haul helpfully provides an Edge Crush Test (ECT) rating for each of its wardrobe boxes. Its double-walled grand wardrobe boxes are the sturdiest option with an ECT rating of 48, which means they can withstand 48 pounds of vertical compression per square inch.
To purchase wardrobe boxes, check with your mover or buy wardrobe moving boxes from nearly any website such as Amazon or store that sells moving and packing supplies, though the available sizes may vary.
Are you in the market for a mover in Alabama? Lambert Moving Systems is one of the top companies for moving in Alabama. We’ve been around for 90 years. Find your location below to get in touch now!
(Editor’s note: Some information for this blog was pulled from This Old House website.)
Photo: Rosa Park and Civil Right Memorial (Public Domain) en.wikipedia to Commons.
