There are no two ways about it; moving is a hassle. Packing up everything you own and moving it to a strange city isn’t something most people look forward to, but it’s something that nearly everyone has to do in their lifetime.
Your clothing is one of the many things you have to pack and move, and the last thing you want is to save them for the last minute and wind up throwing them disorganized into a bag.
In this article, we look at how you can pack your clothes like a pro and keep them organized so they are in good shape during the move.
Declutter & Wash
Before you pack up your clothes to move, a good tip to follow is to wash your clothes first so they’re clean and ready to be put away when you arrive at your new location. Take care of any stains or repairs that need to be done before packing.
Also, this is a good time to go through your wardrobe and get rid of the clothing you don’t need. The less you take with you means the less you have to pack and store once you arrive in your new home. These can be clothes that don’t fit anymore, are out of fashion, that are too worn out, or that doesn’t suit your style anymore.
Here are a few tips to help you organize your clothes before packing:
- Gather up and separate your clothes according to season.
- Pack clothes according to the material.
- Put the clothes into piles and set aside a box for each pile.
- Separate the clothes you want to get rid of. You can sell these items on eBay or Facebook, at a yard sale, or donate them to a local church or charity.
Pack Off-Season Clothes First
If it’s summer, pack up your winter wardrobe first to get it out of the way. Also, label the boxes according to the contents so you know that you don’t have to unpack them right away when you arrive at your new home.
Make a ‘Moving Day’ Wardrobe
Make sure you leave out the clothes you’ll wear on moving day. It’s a good idea to wear something loose, comfortable, and something you won’t care about getting dirty or torn.
And while you’re at it, make a box of clothes that you can wear for the week once you arrive at your place. You may find you don’t have enough time to unpack everything, and you’ll need things to wear such as socks, work clothes, underwear, and pajamas.
When It’s Time To Pack
Now that you’ve separated all of your clothes, and gotten rid of those things you no longer want or need, it’s time to pack.
The first thing to consider is the distance you’re traveling during the move. If you’re going across town, you won’t have to be as meticulous about packing or worry about your boxes being super secure as you would if you were moving across the country.
Once you’re settled on your transportation, it’s time to pack. Here are a few tips to help.
Use your Drawers
Yes, you read that right. Instead of packing everything into boxes, consider leaving your clothes in the drawers if you have only a short move and if you’re packing the truck yourself. Leaving the clothes in the drawers is much more convenient for moving and eliminates the need for unpacking when you arrive. If you’re using a professional moving service, ask if they’ll allow this.
Consider Wardrobe Boxes
If you’re traveling a long distance, or if you’re putting your clothes on a moving truck, get a wardrobe box or garment rack to keep your hanging clothes like suits looking nice and so they don’t get ruined during the trip.
You Don’t Need a Box
For short-distance moves or non-breakable items, you plan on packing in your car, consider using a trash bag. If you don’t have the money for a garment box you can use garbage bags to pack clothes that are on their hangers. Just slip the bag over the clothes and tie off the bottom.
Seal your Off-Season Clothes
To save space, try vacuum sealing the clothes you won’t be wearing for a while to make them easier to transport and to cut down on the amount of space your items take up. Also, consider vacuum sealing your bulky clothes like sweaters and jackets to save space.
Use Suitcases
Do you have suitcases? If so, try packing clothes in them instead of wasting space with boxes. Suitcases are ideal for packing clothes for moving and they offer more protection than cardboard boxes.
Pack Similar Items Together
We mentioned above about sorting similar items such as by season or by need, such as gym clothes or pajamas. Well, when it’s time to pack, it’s wise to pack similar items together too so they’re easier to unpack and store when you’re ready.
Use Bulky Clothes as Padding
If you have old sweaters, sweatpants or socks that you don’t want to throw away or donate, consider using them as packing material for other items you’re packing. These items are ideal for stuffing into boxes to fill in the gaps to make items more stable during the trip.
Use Small Boxes
While it may tempt you to put everything into big boxes so you don’t have to make as many trips, consider using many smaller boxes instead. Clothing can be heavy, and putting things into smaller, more manageable boxes makes it easier to move from home to truck and reverse once you arrive.
A Word About Jewelry
Never pack your jewelry with clothes because there’s a high chance it will snag and tear. Always pack jewelry separately, and in preferably in protective jewelry bags; there are many different ways to pack your jewelry to keep it safe during a move!
Don’t Forget the Labels
Whether you’re putting your boxes on a truck for a moving company to take or you’re moving them yourself on a rental, take the time to label every box so you know what’s inside when you arrive. This helps you to know what needs to be unpacked immediately, what can wait, and in what room to leave the boxes.
We hope these tips help to make your life easier when you’re planning to move. Feel free to bookmark this page for future reference when it’s your time to move.
