How To Pack Clothes for Moving
Quick answer: The best way to pack clothes for moving is to plan ahead by paring down your closet and sorting your items by season and packing method (hanging vs. folded).
We break down everything you need to know about how to pack clothes for moving — whether you do it yourself or hire one of the top-rated moving company to handle it for you. We’ve also got hacks for getting clothes ready for packing and essential packing tips for all types of clothes.
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Pre-packing your clothing
Getting your clothing ready for packing can be just as important as the packing process itself. Follow the steps below to make packing clothes easier and ensure they reach your new home in good condition.
Clean out your closet
Get rid of unwanted items
Make sure everything is clean
Sort according to season
How to pack hanging clothes
Hanging clothes tend to be more valuable and require extra care in comparison to other clothing. Because of this, it’s usually best to avoid folding them so you don’t leave large crease marks in the clothing.
Here’s how to pack clothes for moving with hangers:
- Wardrobe boxes: Wardrobe boxes are tall rectangular boxes made of heavy duty cardboard. They are available in various sizes and include a thin metal or plastic bar for hanging clothes. Most wardrobe boxes also come with built-in handles. Wardrobe boxes can cost $15-$20, but they are a great way to protect clothes while keeping them wrinkle-free during transportation.
- Garment bags: Garment bags are flexible bags specifically designed for transporting clothing like suits and dresses. These lightweight bags come in a variety of materials — including canvas, polyester, and leather — and allow you to hang the clothes inside, then zip up the bag to protect the clothes. Garment bags take up less space than wardrobe boxes, but there is a greater chance for compression and wrinkles. Basic garment bags cost as little as $10, while more premium options may cost upwards of $50.
- Rolling racks: Rolling racks are a metal storage/display rack on wheels, allowing for easy transportation of a large number of hanging clothes. Rolling racks are lightweight, and many are collapsible for simple storage. However, they take up more space than other moving options, and your clothes will be exposed during the move. Basic rolling racks are available for under $10.
- Standard boxes: If you don’t mind needing to take wrinkles out of your hanging clothes later, you can also pack them in standard cardboard boxes — or even using vacuum bags or suitcases. This is generally best for shorter moves, where you’ll be able to unpack the clothing sooner rather than later. Leaving clothes packed folded up for an extended period could result in creases that are hard to remove.
How to pack non-hanging clothes
You have a wider range of packing options with non-hanging clothes like activewear and sweaters.
Here are some of the most common packing options and methods to consider:
- Flat-fold: The flat-fold method involves folding your clothing into squares or rectangles. Fold the clothing item in half lengthwise, then fold again in half or in thirds. This method works particularly well for dress shirts and sweaters.
- Military roll: With the military-roll method, you lay the article of clothing flat, roll the sleeves inward, then roll the entire piece into a tight bundle, starting from the bottom. This method is best-suited for jeans, t-shirts, activewear, and casual clothes.
- Cardboard boxes: Standard cardboard boxes work well for packing non-hanging clothes after they have been folded or rolled. Medium cardboard boxes provide sufficient protection from most moving hazards. Avoid using extra-large boxes, which could become too heavy and might even break from being overfilled. Small boxes are good for t-shirts and underwear, but they may not be large enough to fit bulkier clothing, such as coats or sweaters. Expect to pay around $1–$2 per box.
- Vacuum bags: If you’re trying to save space, vacuum or compression bags can help flatten your clothing by taking out all the extra air. This is especially helpful for items like bulky winter sweaters that take up a lot of room. Vacuum storage bags vary in size, but multi-packs typically start at $3–$4 per bag.
- Suitcases and duffel bags: If you already own suitcases or duffel bags, they can serve as a convenient alternative for packing your non-hanging clothing. They can be especially useful for clothing that you’ll want to access right away when you arrive at your new house.
- Dresser drawers: If you really want to save time on packing and unpacking, you can simply leave clothes inside the dresser that you’ll be moving to your new home. However, this can make the dresser extremely heavy to move. You’ll probably need to remove the drawers, then place them back inside the dresser after it has been loaded onto the moving truck.
- Trash bags: Trash bags might not be the most organized method for moving your clothing, but this will help you save money on buying cardboard boxes or vacuum bags. Just remember that you’ll need to spend more time organizing your clothes and getting wrinkles out after you unpack.
Additional tips for clothing
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FAQ
When should you start to pack clothes for moving?
How should you pack shoes?
What is the best way to avoid wrinkles when you pack clothes for moving?
How do you pack clothes for moving so they take up less space?
How do you pack clothes for moves on a budget?
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