How to Pack Clothing for a Move: Helpful Tips

Table of Contents

• 1. What Do You Have to Do Before Packing the Clothes?
• 2. How to Pack Non-Hanging Clothes Properly?
• 3. How to Pack Clothes on Hangers?
• 4. More Useful Tips for Packing Your Clothing

 

Imagine this scenario: you are a couple of weeks away from moving into a new home. First, you need to figure out the most important packing supplies. Among the essentials are, of course, the items you wear on a daily basis.

Packing clothing (or shoes) for a move is not the most fun part. Many people prefer to leave it until the last minute, which is understandable – it’s exhausting, stressful, and time-consuming. That is why it could be tempting to just fill the boxes with messily thrown piles of clothes and leave it at that. Later, these speedy decisions are more than likely to backfire with troublesome unpacking. With knowledge and the appliance of easy strategies, packing becomes a different story.

Even then, transporting clothes into a new home is certainly not a process to be delayed. Seka Moving advises that you start packing clothes a few weeks before the move, especially if you have a large wardrobe. Keep reading to find out how to pack your clothes for moving.

 

What Do You Have to Do Before Packing the Clothes?

First, let’s check off the basic steps:

1. Decide What Clothing You’re Going to Keep – And Which Items Are Better to Get Rid Of

   It would perhaps be useful to optimise your wardrobe before packing everything into containers. Keep the things that are a comfortable fit, that you wear regularly, or which behold an otherwise purposeful or memorable value (example: business suit, wedding dress, etc.).

   Set aside all the other clothes you have decided to leave behind. Decide next what to do with it – there are multiple options. You can sell your old clothing, donate it or give it away as a gift. When selling or donating, make sure the used clothes are still in good condition.

   Either way, you will find a use for your unneeded outfits to use while optimizing the collection you’re carrying with you.

2. Sort Your Clothing Into Categories

   Clothing beholds extreme variety, and you want to keep that in mind while organizing. The best way to pack clothes when moving begins with dividing the huge clothing pile you’ve now withdrawn from your closets and into separate categories. Doing that will help you arrive in your new home a step more arranged and ready.

   A good way to sort is by season since seasonal clothing is usually hanging separately and therefore will make your job easier when filling up your empty closets at the new home. Another wise solution would be to sort your clothing by pieces – shirts, dresses, suits. If there are multiple people moving, sort clothes by person as well.

   After you have chosen the method and sorted your clothes, don’t forget to label the categories to be able to identify what’s in each box when unpacking.

3. Choose Which Clothes You’re Going to Wear During the Move

   As thrilling as the moving process is, it is equally as weary and ponderous. Seka Moving highly recommends that you don’t forget to set aside a comfortable pair of clothing for you to have on during the move. It’s especially necessary to do this if you’re packing a few days before the voyage, so that you don’t end up chaotically unpacking everything at the last minute, searching for a fitting pair of jeans and a t-shirt.

4. Choose a Suitable Packing Method for Your Clothing and Supplies

   The next step is choosing a packing method. You’d be surprised to find there are many options on how to pack your clothes, and that’s why it’s valid to choose the most suitable one for you!

   Folded clothing and shoes can sit most comfortably in cardboard boxes, duffel bags and suitcases. Wardrobe boxes are great for carrying clothes in hangers.

   Winter clothing and generally large pieces of clothing which hold a lot of volume can go in vacuum bags, where they’ll rest comfortably and arrive at your new home safely.

   The method you choose for packing will benefit your time, space, and money-wise. It lessens the number of containers you will need during the move, shortens your unpacking process, and is financially affordable.

 

How to Pack Non-Hanging Clothes Properly?

The first step is to fold any type of clothing which isn’t being moved on a hanger before you place it inside the moving box. Either that – or you can tape the seams of the dresser and use it as a moving box in itself to save yourself the packing time. Whichever method you choose, Seka Moving will ensure your clothes arrive safe and sound.

Now, let’s get to the folding process. Folding clothing is not as simple as you would think – it has its methods as well! Knowing how to fold clothing correctly can benefit you during and after the move, saving you time and space.

For larger non-hanger items which can take up more space, such as sweaters, sweatpants or jeans, use the flat fold method. Bend one part of the clothing so that it covers the other part and the sides align. In some cases, such as with jeans, you may have the chance to fold more than once.

As for smaller items like t-shirts, dresses, skirts and anything that doesn’t take up as much volume, use the military roll method, sometimes referred to as the “army roll”. There are several variations of this method, one of them being the Ranger Roll that is particularly efficient in packing t-shirts.

You will lay the shirt flat, and flip its bottom up a couple of inches, inside out. Next, you’re going to fold over one-third of the shirt, and fold the sleeve back onto itself. Fold the other third over the middle, rotate and have the collar facing you. Finally, you are going to roll the shirt as tight as possible, beginning with the collar. Try to avoid the little wrinkles – move them out of the way as you go. As the final step, you will pull the flipped edge over the shirt.

 

How to Pack Clothes on Hangers?

Moving clothes on hangers is an efficient move, as it can save a lot of your clothes from the possible damage of being wrinkled. As you try to keep as much clothing on hangers as possible due to its practicality.

A great option is moving clothes inside a wardrobe box. Wardrobe boxes usually come with a hanger bar, so you could hang up as much clothes as you can fit on the hangers without overstuffing.

Drawstring trash bags can be used for hanging clothing – they are an easy, simple, and budget-smart choice. Place the hanged clothing inside a drawstring bag and hold onto the hangers. Tighten the drawstrings around the hooks of the hangers so that it’s easier to carry.

Garment bags, on the other hand, could be a good choice for more delicate clothing. They are another easily accessible, simple choice, and will protect delicate clothing from getting messy or damaged.

 

More Useful Tips for Packing Your Clothing

We have narrowed down the basic, most common rules, but what is some other guaranteed advice which you can incorporate? Seka Moving has a collection of more recommendations. Keep reading to find out more tips on how to pack and then transport your clothes successfully.

1. Place heavier items on the bottom of the box. Lighter items always go on top. This rule should apply to packing any item, not just clothing.
2. Do not overstuff the boxes with too many items. This can lead to the box getting torn during transportation. Once again, the boxes securely to avoid any tearing or damage.
3. Once again, remember that shoes must always be packed separately. First, stuff your shoes with packing paper, washcloths or socks, to avoid any destruction. A very suitable option for packing shoes is hardshell suitcases – they work exceptionally well in protecting your shoes and are a smart financial pick.
4. Just like shoes, the most delicate clothes should always be packed separately from your regular clothing, to avoid having to repair anything later.
5. Any clothing items that are a rare wear and won’t be used anytime soon after the move can be placed in plastic storage containers.
6. Always line cardboard boxes and suitcases with packing paper. This will protect your clothes and, to a large extent, exclude the possibility of damage.
7. Before moving, clean your clothing to prevent smells and avoid the possibility of the unpacking process becoming unpleasant. You want to ensure your clothes are neat, clean and ready to be worn as soon as you take them out.
8. Another packing tip is having a separate moving bag with all the essentials you’ll need shortly after the move, called the “moving week bag”. Unpacking is a long and draining process which won’t happen in one day. Set aside things like pajamas, socks and all your most comfortable items to wear during the first week at your new place.

 

If these are any items which behold specifically sentimental value to you, Seka Moving would advise keeping those near you in the car or packing them separately.

Moving and packing clothing does not have to be chaotic and messy, as long as you follow the right strategy. Preparing a set of helpful tips can make the process more manageable for you. We hope that reading this article has helped you learn some useful tips and tricks and release some of the stress associated with packing.