Cleaning cardboard can be tricky. If you are a collector, you might have a cardboard box that needs some extra love, but don’t want to damage the exterior in any way. We’ve found the best way to clean cardboard that will not damage your cardboard in any way.
How To Clean Cardboard
To clean cardboard, start on the back of the cardboard box. Using a wet Q-Tip or cotton ball, clean in small circles using minimal water. Is your box stained or sticky? Try using a highly diluted soap solution.
If you are cleaning a collectible cardboard box, whether it is a video game or vintage toy, most of these boxes have a thin layer of lamination. This allows the cardboard to withstand a decent amount of cleaning.
Make sure during the cleaning process you do not use any alcohol based cleaners. The alcohol will cut through the minimal laminate protection and permanently damage your box – which you don’t want!
How To Clean Vintage Cardboard Boxes
- Note: if there are any rips, holes, or tears, avoid these sections completely. Those areas will soak up water immediately and ruin your box!
- To start, avoid any cleaners. Dampen a cotton ball or Q-Tip with water and start working in small circles on the surface of your cardboard box. Test in an inconspicuous area first and then work out from there.
- If you need to clean larger areas, dampen a microfiber cloth and gently scrub the surface of the box. If the box appears to be getting damp, allow the surface to dry between strokes to avoid any damage.
- If you do need a stronger cleaning solution to cut through dirt, use just a touch of dish soap. This could work well if you have a sticky residue buildup on the cardboard or stubborn dirt.
- Remember, the more water you use the higher likelihood you will damage the box, so use water sparingly.
This process should have your cardboard boxes looking clean and close to new again. Remember to work slowly and use as little moisture as possible throughout the process.
How To Clean Other Cardboard Boxes
You may have other cardboard boxes that need cleaning. If you are storing cardboard boxes, it is important to clean them out before storing to avoid mold, mildew, and nasty smells. It doesn’t take long to clean cardboard boxes with these steps below.
- Remove anything in the cardboard box. Whether this is trash, papers, or other items, you will want your box empty before starting to clean.
- During this process, note any dirty areas of the box you will need to wipe down thoroughly.
- Make a 1:1 solution of vinegar and water. Vinegar and water is an excellent home cleaning solution that naturally kills odor. Add the solution to a spray bottle and give it a good shake to mix it up.
- Spray a microfiber cloth lightly with your vinegar solution. Wipe down the cardboard box to kill any odors. This will also remove dirt or oils on the surface.
- Allow the box to dry after cleaning. Do not store the cardboard box when it is wet, otherwise you will have mold and mildew growing on your boxes.
Sometimes, your cardboard boxes may be too dirty to salvage. In that case, recycle your cardboard boxes and just buy new ones. Cardboard has a short life and can only take so much abuse before needing to be recycled.
Plus, the last thing you want is a cardboard box falling apart on you with a bunch of heavy things stored inside.