Moving presents a challenging packing task. Furniture disassembly, selecting what to do with bulky goods, and packing your delicate belongings for a safe voyage take up a lot of your time. And after spending so much time on such duties, it’s common for people to hastily throw more informal items, like clothes packing in particular, into bags at the last minute.
Even if this isn’t the worst approach to pack, it can waste a lot of room and time (later) and leave you with a wardrobe that is wrinkled and torn. Instead, use these 10 packing tips for clothes to learn how to pack clothes for a move the right way, which will make the entire process simpler on you in the long run.
1. Purge your closets
Get rid of stuff you no longer need or want, which is one of the best things you can do while packing clothes for a move. It makes little sense to pack anything you haven’t worn in a year. Although it may seem like common sense, moving can be stressful and leave little time for extra tasks like organizing closets and dressers. But investing the time up advance can help you save a lot of time when it comes to unpacking.
2. Set aside a laundry day
You are left with the clothing that will travel to your new house after your sell or donate pile has been dispatched. Before packing, wash any soiled items of clothing. Even while it may be tempting to bring a laundry bag, you won’t want to start a wash of laundry after unpacking. Additionally, after being stored in boxes and bags, dirty, ruined clothing will only become worse. When everything is clean and in good condition before being packed, unpacking is much more enjoyable.
3. Sort by season
When should you begin packing your belongings for a move? If you’re not a believer in jinxing things, you can begin as soon as you’ve listed your house for sale or signed your name to a new lease. You’re probably moving and packing throughout one season. Thus, you can store your out-of-season clothing without compromising your sense of style.
Put those winter stuff in boxes if it’s summer. You won’t need those bathing suits any time soon if it’s winter. And if the weather is making you moody, pack the things you know you won’t need for several months. You would anticipate opening every box as soon as you settle into your new house, but you’d be shocked at how some can remain undisturbed for weeks or even months. Fun fact: According to a recent survey, Americans take an average of six months to finally unpack that last box.
4. Compress bulkier items
Put your bulky winter jackets, ski bibs, and cold weather coveralls in compression bags to save room if you won’t be using them during your relocation. There are a number of reasonably priced vacuum storage bags available. Additionally, the compression bags are excellent for storing large, soft home products like pillows and comforters that, if left alone, might take up a lot of box space.
5. Save space with the army roll
Regarding how to roll garments for packing, there are various schools of thought. The army roll maximizes space while minimizing wrinkles, despite some people contending that a flat fold is optimal. Here is a video that talks you through the procedure because a talent like this is best learned through visuals:
6. Use wardrobe boxes
If you’re in a rush, you’re probably wondering, “How should I pack my clothes the most effectively?” The solution is wardrobe boxes. You’re done when you take your hanging items and place them right into a wardrobe box. It is a quick and simple way to carry hanging clothing.
But if you do have time, try not to rely on clothing boxes too much. They usually cost more than ordinary packing boxes and occupy a sizable amount of room in the moving vehicle. You can utilize the extra room created by relocating bags and drawers to pack everyday clothes like T-shirts, pants, and underwear. For more delicate clothing pieces that require further care or are prone to excessive wrinkling, use the wardrobe boxes.
7. Pack boxes heavy to light
It’s tempting to fill a large package with numerous shirts and pairs of pants. You’ll be shocked at how quickly the box will become heavier, though. Use small to medium-sized boxes rather than large ones when packing clothing for relocation. Load the box with heavy items first, such as pants, sweaters, and coats, before adding your lighter items, such as T-shirts, socks, and underwear, to provide a solid foundation.
8. Stuff your shoes
Your clothing will likely crease and perhaps sustain damage if you pack your shoes with your clothing. Tennis shoes and flats might be okay with this, but better pairs should be stored in their shoe boxes or some similar container. You can buy shoe bags if that isn’t an option or if it would take up too much space.
To ensure that the shoes maintain their shape, fill the interiors with tissue paper or even socks. Along with your clothing, it is the ideal moment to thoroughly clean those shoes before putting them away. Keep dirt out of your new closet.
9. Pack accessories separately
During the relocation, it’s wise to keep priceless goods close to hand. There are limitations to insurance coverage, and occasionally the unexpected occurs. If you have any jewelry that you can’t replace, pack it in a tiny pouch with other valuables and carry it with you when you travel by car or airplane.
10. Have a moving day suitcase
The last thing you’ll want to do when you move into your new house is search through boxes for your toothbrush and pajamas. Put the necessities you’ll need for the first two or three days in a duffel bag or suitcase. Not to mention the coffee mugs!
Want more packing tips? Visit the Empire Movers & Storage Blog for additional packing hacks, packing advice straight from the pros, and more!
