Whether you’ve moved once in your entire life or once every year, at one point or another you have probably thought about simply throwing all your clothes in the trunk of your car, instead of taking the time to pack them. While this might seem like the best answer, we have a few tips to make this process much quicker, easier, and more organized.
From moving with clean clothes to getting rid of the things you no longer need, you’ll find some great ways to simplify your packing and even save some space at your new home.
So, if you’re completely stumped on how to pack clothes for moving, let’s dive into eight different tips that will get you going in the right direction.
1. Get Everything Clean
First and foremost, do all of your laundry before packing your clothes. You don’t want to get into your brand new, clean home only to throw a giant pile of dirty clothes in the corner. Talk about falling behind before you even get started. Beyond that, packing and moving dirty clothing can lead to permanent stains and leave the rest of your moving stuff smelling like body odor.
Instead, you could prepare everything for a fresh start at the new place. Do yourself, and everyone else, a favor by getting everything washed and dried before packing clothes for moving.
2. Organize and Separate
Prior to moving day, you’ll want to go through all your clothes and get them organized. If you separate everything into categories, it will make the packing process a breeze, as well as limit the time it takes you to unpack at the new home. Split up your shirts, pants, shorts, and other apparel, so you know right where it goes as soon as you open the box.
This is also a great time to get rid of things. You’ll be going through pretty much your entire wardrobe anyway, so you might as well take this time to get rid of things and take them to a donation center along with any old furniture. It’s a great way to free up space and minimize your life before moving into a new location.
3. Roll ‘em Up
The best way to pack your clothes for moving is by rolling them up like a burrito. It is a much more organized way to load clothing and other soft materials into boxes. Roll everything you can including your shirts, pants, towels, and more. It will optimize the surface area in your boxes, leaving room for more stuff.
But the best benefit will be the wrinkle-free clothes you pull out of the moving boxes after the deed is done. Rolling your clothes will prevent creases, which would otherwise leave you standing over the ironing board for days after the transition.
4. Choose the Right Boxes
Have you ever been carrying a box and had the bottom fall out? Believe us, it happens. Now imagine that happened while you were carrying a box full of fragile mementos or collectibles.
While this may seem a bit dramatic, the same thing can happen with a box full of clothes, leaving someone with a pile of your underwear sitting at their feet. If you’d prefer that everyone helping you move doesn’t see your delicates, we highly recommend using new, sturdy boxes for your move.
When deciding how to pack clothes for moving, avoid old, previously used boxes, as they can lead to poor protection for your belongings. Make sure to always get moving supplies from a dependable provider with various styles fitting your specific packing needs.
5. Get Specialty Boxes
In lieu of the various styles of boxes, let’s talk about the best options when it comes to packing clothes. Some items you’ll be moving have boxes made specifically to transport them. This can include everything from hats and shoes to hanging clothes.
Wardrobe boxes can be a lifesaver when it comes to packing up your closet. With a long metal bar going across the top part of the box, you’ll be able to hang your nice shirts, dresses, slacks, and anything else on a hanger.
Some people love their hats and wouldn’t be happy if one of them were to get bent or squished by a big box of books. Whether you have fancy wide-brimmed hats or a variety of licensed sports caps, take some time to pick up a few hat boxes to keep them clean and filled out.
And while it would be easiest to simply throw a bunch of shoes into a trash bag, if you want to keep your kicks clean and scuff-free, you may want to find some separate shoe boxes you can then place in larger packaging.
6. Pack Clothes in Other Places
You can save yourself a fair amount of money by finding places to put your clothing other than in boxes. If you have a dresser that isn’t all that heavy, you can always keep your clothes in the drawers. To lighten the load a bit, you can remove the drawers and wrap them in plastic to keep the clothes in.
Another space saver is placing small pieces of clothing like socks and delicates inside your shoes. Simply roll up a couple pairs and stuff them in for a quick solution. If you have any leftover items, you can also use your suitcases as an easy-to-carry means of transporting everything from clothes to shoes.
7. Use Clothes to Protect Other Items
Instead of packing peanuts or bubble wrap, you can always use rolled up t-shirts and basketball shorts to fill gaps and protect fragile items. This a great way to remove some of the need for extra packing paper and can be a simple way to keep your belongings safe. Try lining some fluffy sweaters on the bottom of a box you plan to use for breakables.
You can also use comfy pajamas and other soft clothing to put on top of dishes, chinaware, delicate merchandise, and more. Plus, limiting your use of things like bubble wrap, packing peanuts, tissue paper, and other temporary solutions can be good for the environment.
8. Keep Out Enough Clothes for Moving
Can you imagine taping up your last box of clothes only to realize that the only ones left for the rest of your move are the things on your back? As you determine the best way to pack clothes for moving, make sure you leave out enough outfits for the time remaining in your moving process. Check your moving schedule and set aside a few pieces that will keep you comfortable during this often hectic time.
Keep in mind, moving delays can come out of nowhere, so you may want to give yourself a bit of wiggle room to work with when it comes to your temporary wardrobe.
Now You Know How to Pack Clothes for Moving
By following these simple tips, you’ll be able to save time, money, and a whole lot of headache during your upcoming transition. And if you’re still not sure how to pack clothes for a move, then why not hire some professionals?
HD Auston Moving has a trustworthy and dependable team of movers and packers ready to help you with the entire moving process. We can set you up with a free quote, plan a brief moving consultation, and then you can sit back and relax while we take care of everything. From packing and moving to our secure storage solutions, we ensure full customer satisfaction with each and every service.
Please give us a call at (864)269-0073 to get more information or to schedule your move.
