Moving is a daunting task, and among the myriad of items to pack, clothes often present a unique challenge. Whether you have a vast wardrobe or a minimalist collection, ensuring your garments are safe and organized during a move is crucial. This post breaks down the art of how to pack clothes for moving into manageable steps. You don’t need to be a packing guru to get it right. By following these guidelines, even the most complex of moving tasks becomes as simple as folding a t-shirt.
Wardrobe Boxes: Your Clothes’ Best Friend
While it might seem tempting to throw all your clothes into any available box, using wardrobe boxes can make a significant difference. These come in two types: standup wardrobe boxes with a hanging rod inside, ideal for transferring hanging clothes directly from your closet, and laydown wardrobe cartons. Standup boxes are perfect for dresses, suits, and delicate items, keeping them wrinkle-free and organized. However, laydown wardrobes are more space-efficient, especially for shipments in moving crates. While standups are suitable for items like wedding dresses and suits, laydown wardrobes are preferred for maximizing space and reducing costs for those paying out of pocket. Laydown wardrobes, essentially long boxes for laying clothes into, do result in some wrinkles but significantly improve volume and density in the shipment.
Use Suitcases for Heavy Items
You already have suitcases, so why not use them? Instead of packing them empty, fill them with clothes. They’re designed to carry clothing and can handle heavier items like shoes and jeans better than cardboard boxes. Additionally, suitcases with wheels provide the advantage of easy transportation, making the move a little less physically demanding.
Bagging before Boxing
A common mishap during moving is discovering your clothes have gotten wet or dirty. To avoid this, place your folded clothes inside large plastic bags before putting them in boxes. This double layer of protection ensures that even if the box is placed on a wet surface or exposed to rain, the clothes inside remain dry and clean. Bags like trash bags or vacuum seal bags are excellent options. The latter even saves space by removing excess air.
Sorting and Decluttering
Moving offers an excellent opportunity to declutter. Instead of packing clothes when moving that you no longer wear, consider donating or selling them. Begin by sorting clothes into categories like ‘keep,’ ‘donate,’ and ‘sell.’ By reducing the volume of clothes you need to pack, you save on packing materials and space. More importantly, you’ll feel lighter knowing you’re only taking items you truly value to your new home.
Protecting Fragile and Precious Items
Sometimes, clothes aren’t just clothes. They carry memories, like the dress you wore on your first date or the tie from your graduation. Such items deserve extra care. Wrap them in tissue paper or soft cloth before placing them in a box. If you have clothes with delicate embellishments or beadwork, turning them inside out before packing can prevent snagging and damage.
Roll, Don’t Fold
An effective technique to save space and avoid creases is to roll clothes instead of folding them. T-shirts, jeans, and even some dresses can be rolled tightly and packed into boxes or suitcases. This method reduces the amount of air trapped between clothes, allowing you to pack more items in the same space. Besides, when clothes are rolled, they tend to wrinkle less, especially if they are packed snugly together. This technique is particularly useful for casual wear and items that don’t crease easily.
Label Everything
While this might seem like an obvious point, many people overlook the importance of labeling boxes when moving. By clearly marking each box with its contents, such as ‘winter wear,’ ‘shoes,’ or ‘formal attire,’ unpacking becomes much more straightforward. It eliminates the guesswork and endless searching for specific items when you arrive at your new place. Using colored stickers or markers can make the process even more organized. For instance, blue can be for summer clothes, and red for winter wear. This simple step can save hours and reduce the stress of settling into a new home.