When you prepare for an upcoming move, packing clothes is a big item on your moving checklist. Although it might be tempting to just toss your garments into a few boxes, careful planning and organization will actually save you time, money, and frustration. Here are a few tips on packing clothes like a professional for a smooth and efficient move.
1. Get your laundry on
The first step in packing clothes for your move is to make sure everything is washed. Don’t bring dirty, smelly clothing to your clean, new home! Instead, spend some time doing laundry so your clothes are ready to be neatly placed into your dresser and closet when you unpack at your new place.
Keep in mind that you’ll have to completely empty your dressers and any other furniture with cabinets or drawers prior to your actual move. This helps keep the furniture and its contents safe and protects the movers from interior weight shifting unexpectedly. Since you’re going to handle each piece of clothing as you remove it from your dressers, you might as well make sure it’s ready to wear when you get to your new home!
2. Use clothing as packing material for delicate or breakable items
Here’s a moving tip that can save you time and money: use some of your clothes to pack your fragile items. Wrapping up breakables in soft garments means you’ll spend less money on other packing materials. And it’ll save you a trip or two to pick up additional packing supplies!
Cotton clothes like sweatshirts and t-shirts are great for keeping your delicate possessions padded inside their boxes. So before you start packing glasses from your kitchen and the knickknacks from your china cabinet, stock up your packing station with the right materials—including some clothes.
3. Get the right packing materials for your clothes
Remember: packing clothes involves more than just throwing stuff into a few boxes. Designate a table or a counter as your packing station and set yourself up with the right materials. Since the moving industry creates a lot of waste, try to avoid single-use materials that’ll end up in a landfill after your move. Here are a few options and ideas:
- Vacuum storage bags. These reusable materials can help you save a ton of space. Just fill each bag with coats and sweatshirts, and then use your vacuum to remove the air.
- Luggage. Don’t be afraid to borrow some suitcases, duffle bags, and garment bags from your family and friends if you don’t have enough. In addition to saving you money, you might find yourself unpacking more quickly at your new home since you’ll want to return borrowed items sooner rather than later.
- Plastic moving totes. If you don’t have any totes hanging around, you can rent sturdy plastic moving boxes. They’re an ecofriendly alternative to cardboard boxes, and some companies will even deliver them to your door and pick them up after you’ve unpacked.
- Wardrobe boxes. Did you know there are rentable moving boxes specifically designed for your hanging clothes? Contact your local moving company to see if they offer wardrobe boxes so you can easily transfer the hanging garments from your closet into these boxes.
When you equip yourself with the right materials for packing clothes, you set yourself up for a smooth move!
4. Stay away from the wrong packing materials
Just like there are some great materials for packing clothes, there are also some you should avoid. First and foremost, don’t put your clothes inside garbage bags or contractor bags. It might seem like these can fit a lot of clothing, but they can easily be mistaken for actual trash on your move day—and you don’t want your clothes to accidentally end up in a dumpster!
Additionally, if you use cardboard boxes for your move, stick to medium or small ones. Large boxes can get very heavy, which makes them difficult (and sometimes even dangerous) to move. Bigger boxes are great for bulky, lightweight items like pillows and comforters, but stick to smaller options for your clothing.
5. Save time and space by packing clothes the right way
When you start packing clothes for moving, there are a few things to consider. First, how will you organize your clothing? Some people prefer to box up their garments by season, and other (extremely organized) people might like to color code. Picking an organizational system will help you efficiently pack at your old home and unpack at your new home.
Second, consider how to fold and roll your clothing. Instead of hastily balling up your shirts and pants, take some extra time to treat your garments well. Carefully folding or rolling your clothes before they’re placed inside a suitcase, tote, or box removes air to save space and reduces the wrinkles when you unpack them.
Finally, carefully label the top and sides of each box or tote, and tie a luggage tag to your suitcases and duffle bags. The label should clearly describe the contents (i.e., “Winter Clothes” or “Athleisure”) and indicate what room the piece should be placed in at your new home. If you have any questions or need a packing assist, just ask the experts!
The best movers in Chicago love packing clothes!
Packing clothes for a move can seem like a daunting chore, but it’s a crucial step in having a smooth move. If you need some help checking this task off of your to-do list, give us a call! We’ll bring all the packing materials and expertise needed to complete your pack and start your move off on the right foot.
Contact us today to learn more!