Anything I can do to stiffen my boxes??

Lisa
by Lisa

Hello!


I’m looking for a way to make this more organized. My boxes are flimsy. They are fabric storage boxes. Is there a way to make them stiffer or should I get new ones?


Picture for reference. Ignore hangers. I hang dry certain clothes on the pole when needed.

anything i can do to stiffen my boxes
  23 answers
  • Janice Janice on Nov 06, 2021

    You can stiffen them up by placing foam board cut to size. You can purchase about 18"x24" sheets at DollarTree.....another option would be thin wood paneling cut to size.

    • Lisa Lisa on Nov 06, 2021

      Would I attach it to the basket or use it to keep upright with the items I have in it?

  • Janice Janice on Nov 06, 2021

    I would attach to the basket after cutting to size. You could use anupholstery needle to attach with jute or some heavy duty thread or even fine fishing line. If you want to do the install permanently, you could use Gorilla glue, E600, etc.

  • Mogie Mogie on Nov 06, 2021

    Here is a tutorial on how to make strudy fabric baskets:

    https://lillyella.com/2014/12/05/sturdy-fabric-basket-tutorial/

  • William William on Nov 06, 2021

    I agree with janice. Foan board from Dollar Tree. Has paper bonded on both sides with a foam core. About 1/4" thick. Cut with a utility knife of Xacto knife. Measure the inside if the boxes, cut the foam board slightly oversize for a tight friction fit and slip it in the against the sides of the boxes. If you want, a dab of hot glue on each foam board panel close the top will stick it against the box sides

  • Cheryl A Cheryl A on Nov 06, 2021

    you can put pieces of cardboard in the bottom from old boxes or even double a file folder that will help as well

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Nov 06, 2021

    You could also construct a wire frame and attach the insides to it with needle and thread.

  • I would cut foam board or new cardboard to fit the boxes.

  • I would suggest to make wire frame for this and attach to the inside of the fabric basket.

    • AWG AWG on Oct 23, 2022

      What kind of wire and how do you get straight lines and corners? My wire is either WAY too strong or too soft and easily bent

      >.

  • FrugalFamilyTimes.com FrugalFamilyTimes.com on Nov 06, 2021

    You could make boxes out of cardboard to fit inside and hold them up. :)

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Nov 06, 2021

    You could cut cardboard to fit and put inside. I did that with my car organizer.

    • See 2 previous
    • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Nov 08, 2021

      I just thought you could also pick up some foam board from a dollar store which would be a bit sturdier as well as prettier.

  • Lisa Lisa on Nov 06, 2021

    This is what I have: EZOWare Set of 3 Large Canvas Fabric Tweed Storage Organizer Cube Set W/Handles for Nursery Kids Toddlers Home and Office - 15 L x 10.5 W x 9.4 H -Gray/Brown https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MCYSBL6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_01WCB9BB7R2HSMH29XJ9?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1


    id have to cut the fabric inside at the top to insert cardboard or foam core which I do have on hand.



  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Nov 06, 2021

    Agree with cardboard inserts, a tight fit properly measured would give more support and structure

  • Can you maybe add pieces of stuff cardboard or hardboard to the bins to stiffen them up? If the expense of doing so becomes more than new ones, you might consider the latter route of new.

  • Deb K Deb K on Nov 08, 2021

    Hi Lisa, you can stiffen the fabric, here is a link with 6 different ways to stiffen fabric, hope it helps you out,

    https://wigglywisdom.com/how-to-stiffen-fabric/


  • Kmdreamer Kmdreamer on Nov 09, 2021

    Put some cardboard pieces inside the walls to hold up if they won’t stay glue them with a hot glue gun

  • Catherine Deirdre Rodden Catherine Deirdre Rodden on Nov 09, 2021

    I would just pick up some plastic hangers (just like the ones in your photo) from Dollar Tree. Cut the bottom straight piece out. Use super glue or hot glue and attach it into the seams of the corners of each storage unit to make it stand up straight.


    OR - get something like cardboard (from an Amazon box?) and cut to fit bottom and attach to each corner a skewer or piece from bottom of hanger or something to that effect to form a frame for inside that will give definition to your box.

  • Dee Dee on Nov 09, 2021

    Cardboard or foam board from the Dollar store slipped in as inserts will work. I knot his drives me nuts and that is what I did

  • Simple Nature Decor Simple Nature Decor on Nov 09, 2021

    You can insert card board on the inside

  • 17335038 17335038 on Nov 10, 2021

    Hi Lisa,

    The source of the problem with the fabric baskets is not so much that they are soft sided. They are not fitting or staying properly on the shelves because the shelves

    1. do not provide enough support due to the space between the wires being hollow

    and

    2.the shelves are too shallow to accommodate the dimensions of the baskets you are trying to use. In the picture you have posted, clearly almost every item and container on the shelves is hanging over the side


    Solution:

    1.Remove these cheap wire shelves completely, and replace with solid wooden ones that are deeper. This will provide a firm base for the items, and one that you will be able to slide items on to, without having them fall between the wires, get caught on the wires, or hang over the sides. Wooden shelves do not require the metal struts, which will then enable you to put higher items on the shelves if you like.


    2.Cut pieces of foam board to fit the bottoms of the fabric baskets. One source of free foam boards can be real estate offices, after the property has been sold, or political offices, after elections are over. The boards may have wording still on them, but as the pieces will be hidden at the bottoms of the baskets, this should not adversely affect wear.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Nov 11, 2021

    You could use strong Cardboard or thin MDF and cut it to shape to fit internally.

  • Kmdreamer Kmdreamer on Jun 14, 2022

    Glue cardboard inside the walls. Hot glue

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Oct 24, 2022

    Heavy Card, Plexiglass, MDF. Plywood. Taped with Gaffer tape!

  • Mogie Mogie on Nov 04, 2022

    Make a wooden frame that sits inside the basket but the frame will give the basket more strength