Packing all your clothes can easily turn out to be the most time-consuming activity you’ve ever tried. That is if you don’t know any tips and tricks on how to pack clothes for moving to a new home. Preparing a suitcase for vacation and folding a few shirts and pants is one thing – this is the next level. If you want to master it and learn something new, take a look at our guide and wake up your inner packer.
What Is the Best Way to Pack Clothes for Moving?
Have you ever developed a strategy or a plan for folding your entire closet? If you’re moving out for the first time, this is probably the last thing on your mind, but it is equally important as everything else. This is something that just seems simple, but it is not, because none of us are aware of how much stuff we really have in our closet. If you want to prepare yourself for this adventure, take a look at our guide.
How to Sort and Pack Your Wardrobe?
There are several ways to sort everything before you get down to packing:
- By season
- By type; shirts with shirts, pants with pants
- By person, if you’re relocating with your partner or family
- By room or closet
How Should I Pack Before Moving? A Step-by-Step Guide On Packing Clothing
Step 1. Donate or Sell Clothes You Don’t Wear
What not to pack when moving? Be honest with yourself. If you have not worn a piece in the last year or two, what are the chances you’ll wear it ever again? Exactly. That is why you should sell or donate unwanted items, and save on packing services that way.
Step 2. Wash or Dry-Clean Before Packing for Moving
In every wardrobe, there is loads of stuff we have not worn nor washed in a while. If you’re not moving in a hurry, thoroughly wash everything before folding and storing it into boxes. Storing dirty and clean clothing into the same box is not something you should do, especially if you plan to leave your stuff in a storage unit for a while.
Step 3. Separate Clothing With Sentimental Value
Do you have a wedding dress, prom dress, or an expensive suit? These items are too precious to sell or donate, but they require careful handling and storing during the relocation.
Step 4. Use Vacuum Sealing Bags
This is a great way to save some space, especially on larger items such as coats, jackets, and winter stuff. Generally speaking, you can do this first with all the off-season stuff that you won’t be wearing so soon, and then move on to everything else.
Step 5. Leave the Pieces You’ll Wear During the Last Week
Think in advance and leave something to wear for the last few days, including travel outfits, pajamas, and underwear. Also, you’ll need something for the first day in your new place before you start unpacking after moving.
Step 6. Roll Instead of Fold
When it comes to the folding method, we are all used to the good old flat fold, but recently the military rolling method started gaining more popularity. Rolling will give you more space, and the stuff won’t be so wrinkly, so it’s a win-win situation. And of course, you can try out the famous KonMari method.
Step 7. Wrap It Up
If you are going to use traditional boxes as your main storage, pick smaller ones because once stuff piles up, it gets heavy. Hanging pieces that are not wrinkle-prone can be bundled up and wrapped with garbage bags, and then placed in a box if they don’t require to be transported while hanging. Just don’t forget to label each box and write what’s inside.
How Do You Move Hanging Clothes?
We all have those clothing items that are wrinkle-prone and demand a bit more maintaining. Having to iron those things is a complete nightmare, so just imagine how they would come out of a regular box or a suitcase? If you want to keep your clothes wrinkle-free, you should get some of those tall wardrobe boxes. These are a bit more expensive but completely worth the cost. Additionally, you can also use plastic wrap for protection.
Can I Keep Clothes in Drawers When Moving?
This is something that is not just up to you but depends a lot on the company that is shipping your belongings. Some require that the drawers are completely empty so that nothing falls out or tumbles inside during transportation. However, a lot of experienced packers recommend keeping the drawers full. If you want to keep your drawers full, make sure you fill them to the top and wrap each one with plastic wrap. Then wrap around the entire piece of furniture, so that the drawers won’t move during the transportation.
Supplies You’ll Need Besides Boxes and Bags
When it comes to packing materials for moving, you’re probably wondering how many moving boxes you’ll need. In fact, you’ll need a few other things, so let’s take a look at some of them:
- Wardrobe boxes
- Plastic bags
- Vacuum bags
- Suitcases
- Plastic wraps
- Garbage bags
Extra Tips for Packing Clothing
- Do not pack it together with shoes, jewelry or hats
- Make sure everything is dry and clean
- Use towels and cloths to separate delicate pieces
- Heavier items go to the bottom of the box
- If you’re using storage, consider using an insect repellent
Now You Know How to Pack Clothes for Moving
After you successfully leave this chapter behind you, you’ll realize why packing is one of the most cost-effective moving services. Jokes aside, it is a time-consuming process that requires a lot of devotion and motivation, but don’t let it break your spirit. The best part is, if you organize well and do everything by the book, unpacking is going to be a piece of cake.
