How to pack clothes for moving

Packing And Moving Your Clothing

On moving day, you may have a lot of things to do. Rolling clothes may be one of them. Many people do not enjoy it. However, this can be handled when you know how to pack clothes for moving using the proper techniques.

This article will suggest what to do before you start packing, some effective clothing packing methods, sorting processes, and folding methods. Furthermore, the article will discuss the packing process, how to move hanging clothes, and packing clothes in various moving boxes.

Before You Pack Your Clothing

Here are some things to take care of before you pack your clothing.

Sort your closet

First, before you start packing clothes for moving, check your closet. Assess your clothing, shoes, bags, hats, and other items. Perhaps, there are items you do not need anymore. And, there are those that are worth packing. Hang all the clothes on hangers before you pack. This will enable you fully assess your closet and decide what is worth carrying. You can take folded clothes out of drawers, put them on the bed and evaluate the same way.

Divide everything into piles

Assess the items and divide them into retained, donation, and sell categories. What items are you keeping? When last did you wear this? Additionally, you may decide what to keep in terms of current style, current body fit, and current condition.

Give out the donation pile

Take those gently-used clothing to a Goodwill or Salvation Army centre. They may even offer complimentary pick-up services if the donation pile is so large. However, remember to get a tax-deductible donation receipt from the charity centre.

Put the sell-out pile on sale

You can sell your closet items in the sell-out pile. There are several options including selling clothes online (using sites like eBay), during a yard sale, or at a consignment store. A benefit to this is that you actually get to make some money. However, consignment stores may get a share in your profits.

Store off sentimental items

There may be some sentimental clothing items you are not ready to part with. Try storing them in a self-storage unit or commercial storage for such things. An example is your wedding gown. Those closet items that you do not want to donate or sell or do not wear often can be retained.

Wash or dry-clean all clothing

Before packing your hanging and folding clothes, wash or dry-clean them. Mixing dirty clothes with clean ones in your packing case will give all of them a bad smell. Similarly, if some of them are damp, you may have issues with mildew. Thus, giving a proper wash to all clothing keeps them neat and fresh for moving.

Get the right moving supplies

Removing unneeded clothing items from your closet is your first step in moving clothes. Thereafter, you should plan how to move the closet items. Begin by getting moving supplies ready.

These include the following:

Cardboard moving boxes

Cardboard boxes are easy to get. Check out online stores and local recycling centres for big cardboard boxes. You can use them to pack folded clothing.

Wardrobe boxes

There may be some clothes you do not want to fold. Perhaps, they wrinkle easily or are better packed on hangers. Wardrobe boxes can be your answer. There are specialty moving boxes you can get from online stores such as Amazon.

Suitcases

Alternatively, you can pack folded clothing, shoes, and other items in suitcases. This is even easier if you already have some bags.

Duffel bags

You can also use duffel bags to pack folded clothes and shoes. This is great if you already have duffel bags in your closet. Just roll the clothes within when packing.

Vacuum or compression bags

Vacuum or compression bags are also a great way of moving clothing while relocating. First, they help you condense your clothing items and protect clothing from outside elements. Moreover, they are pretty reusable.

Extras

Some individuals enjoy how simple it is to work with garment bags, packing paper, or plastic bins. Other moving supplies you may opt for include hat boxes, plastic baggies, and shoe boxes.

Organise Your Clothes By Sorting Them

You can sort through the clothes you want to move. This way, you keep everything organised for your move. Here are four ways you can sort your clothes.

By material

You can sort your clothes by material. Simply divide them into different material categories. These include cotton, silk, wool, denim, linen, cashmere, and so on.

By season

This means arranging clothing using the prevailing season of weather. One advantage of this method of sorting is that you reduce clutter. How, you ask? For example, if your move is in the winter, you may not need to unpack warm weather clothing. Summer, spring, and fall weather clothing can remain stored and free up your closet.

By item

You may decide to pack your clothes by item. That is to say; you pack your pants with other pants, shorts with other shorts, and so on. As such, your unpacking process can be faster, and you can easily find specific clothing whenever you need them.

By user

If you are moving as a family, keeping each person’s closet items separate is a good idea. You can further label individual moving boxes. Ultimately, the packing and unpacking process will become easier for all.

Other Move Preparation Tips

• Retain clothing on hangers where possible.
• You can keep folded clothes in your dresser drawers.
• Use packing paper to line your suitcases and cardboard boxes.
• You may reuse old shoe boxes.
• Use plastic baggies for jewellery to protect them.

Folding Methods For Non-Hanging Clothes

There are various options to consider when it comes to the clothing packing method. After sorting your clothing, start the folding process for your non-changing clothes. This may involve folding and placing clothes that are not being moved on hangers into a moving box or suitcase.

The following are some folding methods to choose from when you are packing clothes for moving.

The flat fold

Indeed, the flat fold method is a traditional and straightforward clothing folding method. If it is a shirt, lay it face down on the floor. It should be flat. Then, fold a side of the shirt and its sleeve in towards the middle and smooth out the wrinkles.

Repeat the process for the other side. Next, fold the bottom half of your shirt up. Again, smooth out wrinkles. As for pants, fold one leg over the other. Then, fold in thirds. Smooth out any wrinkles.

Military rolling method

This is another popular method. It maximises space and reduces wrinkles from moving. To use the army rolling method, lay your shirt flat on a hard surface. Flip the shirt inside out using the bottom inches.

After that, fold the shirt in half. Let it touch the middle. Also, fold the second half, the top first. Now, you can roll the shirt down tightly from the top. Finally, use the pouch at the bottom as a fold over the rolled-up shirt.

Alternatively, simply roll up the clothing as tight as you can and place it in your box or bag.

How To Pack Clothes In Cardboard Boxes

You may prefer using cardboard boxes to move your closet. It is a good option as it is less costly and can easily hold different items. Additionally, you can find them easily in stores.

How do you pack clothes inside cardboard boxes? Simply follow the steps below.

Step One: Get the correct box size

Use small or medium sized cardboard boxes rather than larger ones. Overstuffing cardboard boxes can make the bottom break off and spill clothing. Larger boxes are also more challenging to carry.

Step Two: Properly arrange and secure the box

You have to make sure the cardboard box is well assembled. After that, secure it with packing tape.

Step Three: Line box with packing paper

Lining the inside of the cardboard box with packing paper helps protect clothing items. As such, the moving process will have less impact. Alternatively, you can use plastic wraps instead of packing paper.

Step Four: Fold the clothes

You can use any of the folding solutions mentioned above. Preferably, use the flat-folding method for cardboard boxes. It makes the unpacking process easier.

Step Five: Cover top layer with packing paper

After folding your clothes, place them inside the box. Then, use packing paper to cover the top layer of clothing.

Step Six: Tape and secure the cardboard box

Finally, secure your cardboard box. Remember to label appropriately with a marker or post-it note for easy identification.

How To Pack Clothes In Wardrobe Boxes

Wardrobe boxes are an easy, wrinkle-free option to transport hanging clothes. They are specially designed to hang clothes when moving. The wardrobe box has a metal hanger bar with small closets up to two feet wide and 3 feet long. That is where you hang clothes such as dresses, pants, and skirts.

To set up a wardrobe box, follow the steps below.

• First, begin to assemble the wardrobe box by holding it bottom side up. Then, fold the short flaps down. Follow up with the larger flaps. Remember to secure the flaps with packing tape.
• After that, turn the box over so that the top flaps become open at the top.
• Next, place the ends of the hanger bar onto the cutouts at the top crease of the box. Let it pop into the cutouts.
• Now, you can start hanging your clothes inside the wardrobe box. Each hanger bar can take up to eight or more pieces of clothing on hangers.
• With the process of hanging the clothes inside the box over, you can close the two longer top flaps.
• Also, bend the outside edges of the shorter flaps down. Ideally, the best pieces should fit into the middle centre cutout.
• Finally, use packing tape to secure the last top piece.

How To Pack Clothes In Suitcases

One advantage of using suitcases is that you can pack your moving day essentials in them. Below are some tips for packing your clothes in suitcases.

• Line the case with packing paper to prevent water damage.
• Use the flat fold method, the rolling method, or packing cubes to pack the clothes. This will help save space. Packing cubes are stackable fabric bags used to fit more clothing in less space.
• Stack non-essential clothes, shoes, and items at the bottom. You should pack other essential items like toiletries, phone chargers, and a change of clothes at the top of the suitcase.
• Stuff your shoes with socks and knick-knacks. Use packing paper or shoe bags to protect your shoes.

How To Pack Clothes In Duffel Bags

Duffel bags can help you move a lot in a little space. To pack clothes inside duffel bags, open the bag as wide as possible. Begin the packing process with non-essentials. Remember to roll your clothing instead of folding it. Keep the long side of clothing rolled parallel to the long side of your bag.

Packing Clothing In Vacuum Or Compression Bags

These bags let you fit a whole lot into one bag. They protect items from moisture and dirt. First, roll your clothes or fold them flat. Put in the larger pieces first. After putting in smaller pieces, press down to create more room. Again, keep the essentials on top.

Essentials may include items you will need on moving day. Almost seal the compression bag all the way shut. Press down to squeeze out the air, then complete the sealing. If it is a vacuum bag, make sure it is vacuum-sealed.

How To Move Clothes In A Dresser

Professional movers may request you remove everything from the drawers before the move. But, if you are moving yourself, consider using the dresser to carry your clothes.

Remove heavy items to make the dresser lighter. You could also make it easier to carry the dresser by taking out drawers to move them separately.

If moving with the drawers, cover them in plastic wrap, so they stay in place. Use tie-downs to secure the dresser inside the truck.

How To Pack Hanging Clothes

If you have several racks of hanging clothing, use the following ways to easily transport the clothes on moving day.

As earlier mentioned, wardrobe boxes have hanger bars you can use to hang any type of clothing. Keep your clothing on hangers where possible. You can get a portable clothing rack to move your clothes.

Garment bags can come in handy to protect your clothing from dirt or damage. You can get garment bags from dry cleaners. Trash bags can also help.

How To Pack Shoes

You may have accumulated quite an extensive collection of shoes through the years. When you have a lot of shoes, you can be sure they will be heavy to carry around.

If possible, reuse the original shoe boxes. Keep them closed while moving. You can tie them shut. You can also use a rubber band to secure it.

Alternatively, you can get clear plastic shoe boxes or shoe bags. Use packing paper to wrap your shoes. Also, stuff the inside to retain its shape.

How To Move Delicate Items

Delicate items may carry sentimental value, be expensive, or be made of delicate materials. Examples include furs, wedding dresses, silks, cashmere, and other things.

Use wardrobe boxes, garment bags, and trash bags to protect clothes when they are inside moving boxes. Vacuum bags or compression bags can protect delicate items such as cashmere sweaters from moths, bugs, and outside forces.

Delicate hats can be placed inside a hatbox. Remember to stuff the inside of the hat with packing paper to retain its shape. Again, label boxes appropriately.

When To Start Packing To Move

The process of planning your move should begin about two months before your move-in date. Start packing about 2-3 weeks before you move in. Thus, you should be through within a few days to a week before.

Timeline And Moving Checklist

You can stay organised for a successful moving day using a moving checklist. Below are some moving tips, a moving checklist, and a timeline you may follow.

Two months out

Assess the inventory of all rooms. Decide what items to sell or give out and what items to take with you.

One month before moving day

Start downsizing by holding a garage sale, donating, or selling items online.

Begin cleaning so that you can easily pack items that you will carry along.

Decide if you will use removalists, professional movers, a moving company, or simply do it yourself (DIY). Also, will you be renting a van, truck, or other transportation?

Identify storage needs such as storage units. You can use plastic storage containers for packing clothing items. These are items you will not need immediately after the move.

2-3 weeks before moving

Now, you can start packing. Get your packing supplies like moving boxes ready. Your professional mover may be able to provide you with packing supplies.

Start packing from room to room. Begin with non-essential items and remember to label appropriately.

One week to moving day

Start packing up any remaining item. Keep a box or two for essentials. You can use a moving day kit for packing clothing and things you will need on moving day and immediately after the move.

After removing everything from your home, start cleaning. This is another area where you may need a professional cleaning service.

On moving day

Now D-day has arrived, and it is time to move. Remember to have fun while you are at it; after all, you are shifting to a new environment! Play moving day songs and be excited about the move!

Also, remember to take inventory of your belongings. Check the driver’s inventory sheet. Perhaps, take photos of fragile items for liability coverage and insurance purposes.

After moving

Unpack essential items first. Again, you have to arrange for the cleaning of your new home.

Hire Professional Movers To Help You Out

You may have gotten some good packing tips here on various ways to pack clothes for moving. However, you just do not want to be bothered with the packing and moving process. Rest easy; some professional movers can help.

They can give you moving supplies such as garment bags, moving bags, wardrobe boxes, and cardboard boxes. After that, they make sure your clothing is well packed and transported. As such, packing your shoes or moving your chest of drawers need not bother you anymore.

Moreover, they can handle office moves locally and interstate. This means that distance moving should not be a problem. However, remember to ask for a moving quote or moving estimate to help you decide what company to hire. Ensure you give them your moving date ahead of time.