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The process of moving is overwhelming to say the least. Even more daunting than getting the furniture ready for a move is perhaps figuring out how to pack clothes for moving, which may be why most people leave it till the very last minute. Most clothes end up shoved in boxes that stay packed well past after the move is complete at the end of the day. While packing can be stressful, some companies offer full-service packing and moving like those listed on Forbes best moving companies guide so it’s worth considering the best option for you. Foldable Packaging Box
As someone who has moved to a different country—not once but twice—finding the best way to pack clothes for moving long distance was imperative. Advertisement THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary. Compare Quotes From Top-rated Long Distance Moving Companies Free, No-commitment Estimates Find a Moving Company
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Folding items and shoving them into suitcases, boxes and what have you will end in an epic disaster once the moving date comes. Aside from looking into cheap moving companies to keep your costs low, follow these quick tips to help you streamline your packing process later on.
Take everything out and start dividing your closet items. It’s time to divide everything into piles: keep, donate and sell. Only keep things that you wore within the last year that still fit, are in good condition, or hold a sentimental value to you.
Donate gently-used clothes that don’t fall in the keep category. Finally, use this opportunity to sell well-kept closet items that are trendy, recent, or in high demand but that you’re no longer using. You can host an old-school yard sale or sell them at online marketplaces.
Not all clothes serve the same purpose, nor do they hold the same importance. You can sort items by material, season, pieces and person. The most effective sorting methods are by season since you can prevent clutter from accumulating after the move since these items usually go at the end of the closet and are stored away anyways.
Sorting by pieces is easy because it helps you organize the closet better after the move. You’ll have pants together, shirts together, dresses, etc. But, don’t forget to keep everything separated for each person.
Sort each closet individually, and make sure to label and identify their boxes and bags, so it makes a more effortless unpacking experience for everyone.
Purging your clothes and sorting everything is the first step towards moving clothes. Now that you have everything you’ll be taking with you, it’s time to think about how you plan to move these items. Luckily, there are different ways to do this depending on the type of clothes and your carrying method:
The most labor-intensive items to pack for moving are your non-changing clothes. Anything that isn’t moved on a hanger needs to be folded and placed inside a suitcase or moving box.
Another excellent choice to pack folded clothes is to use one of the folding methods below, leave them in the dresser and tape the drawers. Using the dresser to transport clothes will save you money on more cardboard boxes.
How you fold or roll your clothes for packing will make the whole process either complex or challenging. This will save space and cut down on the number of containers you’ll need to pack and move. It will also make it easier to unpack in your new home.
There are many folding methods to consider, but these are some of the most helpful folding ways to try:
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If possible, try to move as much as your closet in hangers. By far, the easiest, wrinkle-free way to transport clothes. Most people will have at least one rack of hanging clothing in their closet, from dresses and blouses to collared shirts and dress pants. Fortunately, there are various ways to pack hanging clothes easily and quickly.
Though pricier than other alternatives, wardrobe boxes are specifically designed to transport hanging clothes. They come with a hanger bar that makes it easy to hang any type of clothing inside.
A low-budget way and arguably the easiest way to move hanging clothes. Use a large drawstring trash bag to slip your clothes inside while holding onto the hangers and tighten the drawstrings around the hanger hooks. Another option is to cut a small hole at the bottom of the bag up, pass the hanger hooks through the hole, then secure the hanger hooks with a rubber band or a string.
For delicate items, it’s best to use garment bags to protect them as they can get dirty or damaged during the move. Garment bags can be easily found online or at a local dry cleaner.
For all non-hanging clothes, it is best to fold them as neatly as possible to fit as many as possible into a moving box or suitcase. However, there are several folding methods to consider, such as:
It can be tempting to throw all your shoes in a duffel bag and move them this way. However, shoes can quickly lose their shape and get damaged in transit. A bit of prepping work on packing shoes correctly can save you plenty of headaches down the road.
Stuff each shoe with packing paper, socks, or washcloths to help them keep their shape. Wrap them using packing paper to prevent scuffing and damage. Depending on the number of shoes you have, a small or medium-sized box should be enough.
Another tip for packing shoes for moving is to transport them in hardshell suitcases. This way, you can save on moving supplies, and the hard case of the bag protects the shoes.
Getting your clothes organized and packed is a big part of making your move as stress-free as possible. Don’t forget these all-important moving basics when packing your clothes:
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If possible, you should aim to start packing a few weeks to a month before your move, depending on the size of your home and how much you have to pack.
You may be able to find movers who offer full-service moves including packing services, though these services usually cost extra.
The type of clothes you are packing determines which folding method is better. For instance, the flat fold method is best for bulky items like jeans and sweaters. At the same time, the military roll method is best for small or delicate items like shirts and dresses.
Although folding your clothing flat may make the most sense when trying to save space in a moving box or suitcase, the military rolling method saves almost double the space.
You can keep your dresser packed and shrink-wrap it to keep the drawers from sliding out in transport.
Consider buying some wardrobe boxes for your hanging clothing items so the clothing can remain on the hangers during the move.
Geraldine is a lifestyle writer and content creator. In addition to being a contributing writer at Forbes, she writes for startups and content agencies. Through her design expertise, she provides decor lovers the tips and resources they need to create the home of their dreams.
Wine Gift Packaging Samantha is an editor who covers all topics home-related including home improvement and repair. She edited home repair and design content at websites like The Spruce and HomeAdvisor. She also has hosted videos on DIY home tips and solutions and launched multiple home improvement review boards staffed with licensed pros.