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
Decluttering is one of the most important things you can do to get ready for a move. Starting the packing process by first cleaning out your closet allows you to decide which clothing items you want to keep and which you no longer want or need.
A good rule of thumb is to only keep clothes that still fit, are in good condition, and that you wear regularly. You may also wish to keep clothing that holds sentimental value for you, even if you don’t wear it very often.
If clothes don’t fit, no longer match your preferred style, or are in poor condition, they aren’t worth keeping. Paring down your wardrobe means less to pack, which will help you save money on supplies and labor with both full-service and DIY moves.
Get rid of unwanted items
Once you’ve decided what you want to keep and get rid of, your next step is to sell, donate, or trash your unwanted clothes, shoes, and accessories.
Throw away clothing that is in poor condition — think items with holes, stains that won’t come out, or other issues that keep them from being wearable.
Gently-used items in good condition can be sold or donated. Consider having a yard sale to get rid of clothes and any other unwanted household items before the move. You may also be able to sell trendy, relatively new, and/or high-demand clothing through an online marketplace or at a consignment shop.
You can donate anything you can’t sell — or just go away and donate everything to save time and support a good cause near you. Remember to get a receipt for the donation’s estimated value that you can use to write it off on your tax returns.
Make sure everything is clean
Before you start packing the clothes you plan to keep, make sure everything is clean. If you pack soiled or stained clothes, things will smell pretty bad by the time you unpack! Dirt and stains will be even harder to remove after spending days (or weeks) inside moving boxes.
Packing dirty clothes could also make any clean clothes dirty or smelly, as well. And washing several loads of laundry is the last thing you’ll want to do after unpacking at your new home. Instead, before you start to pack clothes for moving, make sure your everything is freshly washed so they won’t smell musty when you unpack.
Sort according to season
One useful way to make packing clothes easier is to sort them by season. This will make both packing and unpacking much easier and quicker.
For example, if you’re moving during the summer, you can start packing your winter clothes right away. Save the clothes that you currently need for last. This way, you can get a head start on packing and not have to feel rushed later.
By sorting clothes according to season, you can also prioritize unpacking. Unpack clothes for the current season first, and save off-season clothes for last. You won’t have to worry about those extra boxes of off-season clothes until you’ve taken care of the more immediate unpacking needs.
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
Pack heavier clothes on the bottom
When packing your clothing inside cardboard boxes, always put the heaviest articles of clothing on the bottom. Jackets, sweaters, and jeans (even if they have been placed in a vacuum bag first) should go on the bottom since they are the heaviest. Place lighter items like t-shirts and underwear on top.
This will help the box remain sturdy and keep its shape during the move, particularly if you need to stack other boxes on top of it.
Keep a moving day suitcase and dirty laundry basket handy
Even if you’ve followed our advice by sorting your clothes according to season, you’re not necessarily going to have time to unpack all your clothes the day you move into your new house. Depending on the distance of your move, it may also be several days before you can move in and unpack.
We recommend packing a moving day suitcase hat you’ll keep with you for the duration of your move. Pack at least two to three days’ worth of items (more for cross-country moves) so you don’t have to worry about running out of clean clothes.
In the time leading up to (and during) your move, you should also keep a laundry basket handy so you have a designated place for dirty clothes. This will also make it easier to take care of a quick laundry load before or after your move.
Fight off musty smells
Even when you wash your clothes before packing them, they’re likely to pick up a little funk from traveling hundreds (or even thousands) of miles inside a moving truck. You can keep your clothes smelling nice and avoid the need for extra washing by placing dryer sheets, activated charcoal discs, lavender sachets, or cedar chips with your packed clothing.
Pack hangers
Chances are, you aren’t going to use all of your hangers to pack clothing inside a wardrobe box. Rather than tossing the hangers into a box or trash bag where they can get tangled up with each other, tie bundles of hangers together with a rubber band before you pack them.
Hire professionals to handle packing
If packing your clothing (and other items) feels overwhelming — particularly for moves to another city or state — it may be worth it to hire professional long-distance movers to do the packing for you.
Packing will cost you significantly more than just hiring movers to load and unload the truck. However, many people feel that professional movers are worth the expense, since they provide all the packing materials and labor. You’ll need to decide whether the added cost is worth the convenience.
If you are taking the DIY route by using a moving container company or rental moving trucks, you can always hire a labor-only company to assist you with both loading and packing.
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FAQ
When should you start to pack clothes for moving?
You should generally start packing two to three months before your move date. You can also start packing clothing at this time by boxing up off-season clothes that you won’t need for the foreseeable future. Gradually pack other clothing items as you get closer to your moving date, saving the clothes you currently wear regularly for last.
How should you pack shoes?
You should pack nicer pairs of shoes in their original boxes if you still have those available, as these offer the greatest level of protection. Otherwise, you can use cardboard boxes, plastic containers, or shoe bags. Wine boxes can also work well, since their dividers provide the perfect space for organizing and protecting shoes.
Stuff the insides of shoes with socks or paper so they will keep their shape during the move. This is especially important if you’ll be packing a lot of shoes in a single box or container or inside bags. It may also be helpful to wrap the outside of the shoes in paper or plastic to protect them from scuff marks.
What is the best way to avoid wrinkles when you pack clothes for moving?
A wardrobe box is the best way to avoid wrinkles when packing clothes for moving. A wardrobe box allows you to hang your items so they won’t get wrinkled, while the cardboard exterior provides protection from other moving hazards.
How do you pack clothes for moving so they take up less space?
There are several methods for packing clothes so they take up less space during a move. You can leave clothing inside dresser drawers or pack it inside a suitcase or duffel bag that you are already planning to pack. You can also pack bulky items like sweaters or coats in a vacuum bag. When the air is removed from these bags, it compresses the clothing so it takes up significantly less space.
How do you pack clothes for moves on a budget?
To pack clothes on a budget, you can simply toss everything in garbage bags. As another alternative, you can make use of packing solutions you already have, such as dresser drawers and suitcases. With these methods, you don’t have to spend extra money on cardboard boxes, vacuum bags, or other supplies.
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