How to Pack Clothes for Moving

Clothes are some of the easiest items to pack and move – they’re not heavy, don’t break, and can fit anywhere. Besides, you probably consider yourself an expert when it comes to packing garments – you have packed clothes plenty of times (for trips, vacations, holidays, storage, etc.), so you certainly know how to do it.

Therefore, unless you intend to relocate the monsters hiding in your closet along with the clothes, you should have no problems packing your clothes for moving.

However, the moment you open the dresser, you’ll realize that things aren’t as simple as they seem. You’ll find that you’re going to need a lot more bags and boxes than you thought (most clothing items are quite voluminous and take up a lot of space) – and that designer clothes and fancy accessories just don’t belong in crammed boxes.

In order to keep your garments in good shape and relocate them in an easy and efficient manner, you need to find a way to pack them safely, without using too much space.

Fortunately, that’s not very difficult to achieve. Here is how to pack clothes for moving so that they stay in perfect condition and take up as little space as possible.

Clean out your closet of unnecessary items

The first thing to do when preparing your clothes for moving is to sort them out and get rid of unnecessary items. You certainly have a lot of clothes in your closet – and there is really no reason to bring some of them to your new home:

• Clothes you won’t need after the move – Climatic differences or drastic changes in your lifestyle after the move may render some of your old clothes useless. You won’t need your furs if you’re moving to Florida – or your sleeveless tops if you’re moving to the mountains. If you’re going to live in a big city, you may as well not take your farmer’s outfit – and if you’re leaving your position at a large international company to start a family bakery, for example, your cocktail dresses may not be of much use;
• Outdated clothes – Fashion trends change often and probably so do your tastes. What was in style a decade ago is certainly out of fashion nowadays and what reflected your personality before may be completely out of character now;
• Clothes that don’t fit – There is no point in keeping old clothes you will never again be able to fit into, no matter how much you may like them. And if you have children, you know that they cannot wear the same garments for more than two seasons. You may be tempted to keep some nice clothing items for sentimental reasons, but moving outgrown clothes is really not worth the time, the efforts, and the money (not to mention the extra space you will need for them);
• Worn out clothes – Some clothes are just more comfortable than others and seem right for any occasion. However, if your favorite items are too worn out, you will have to replace them, sooner or later. Better dispose of them before the move;
• Clothes you don’t like – There may be nothing wrong with the summer dress your cousin gave you for your last birthday but it may simply not be your style – and it can serve a better purpose than hanging in your wardrobe untouched for years.

So, before you start packing your garments for moving, assess your closet and decide which of your clothing items to take to your new home and which ones to get rid of. Consider whether you’ll be able to use the item after the move, if it fits properly, if it’s still in style, and if it’s still in good condition. When in doubt, apply the one year rule – if you haven’t worn an item in the last year, it should go.

When you’ve made your decision, find a way to deal with the clothes you’re not taking with you:

• Sell the more expensive clothing items you no longer need (gently used items that are still trendy) to pocket some extra cash for your move (and for new useful clothes). You can organize a moving sale or just offer them for sale online;
• Ask your friends if they like any of your unneeded clothes – and gift them the garments they would like to have;
• Donate unwanted clothes in good condition to charity;
• Throw away clothing items that are too worn out or damaged in some way – or use them as alternative wrapping and padding materials.

See also: What to do with unwanted clothes when moving

Group your clothes

Once you know which of your clothing items you’re going to take to your new home, it’s time to organize them in a systematic manner.

You can group your garments in any way that makes sense for you:

1) By material – Similar fabrics have similar packing requirements, so sorting your clothes by material will help streamline the packing process:

• Natural fabrics (like cotton) are very susceptible to creasing, so you need to find a way to keep them free of wrinkles (or to be ready to iron them after the move);
• Silks and leathers are extremely delicate and need special packing care;
• Knits and woolen clothes are very voluminous and take up a lot of space;
• Synthetics and polyesters can be literally crammed in a box – they will still survive the move safe and sound.

2) By season – Sorting your clothes by season will allow you to pre-pack out-of-season items (see below) and to prioritize unpacking (so you can unpack in-season clothes first – according to the time of the year when your move takes place and the current weather conditions in your new city. The rest of your garments can stay packed in their boxes and bags until later, when you have more time to deal with unpacking).

3) By type – Packing similar items together – pants with pants, shirts with shirts, dresses with dresses, etc. – makes a lot of sense. It will make packing easier and unpacking faster – and you will know where to find whatever specific clothing pieces you may need.

4) By purpose – It is a good idea to pack your comfortable, everyday clothing separate from formal wear and specialized garments you won’t need for some time after the move – so you have easy access to the clothes you wear most often. Besides, grouping clothing items by their purpose – sports clothes, office outfits, homewear, etc. – is one of the best ways to keep garments organized and ready for use.

Pre-pack clothes you won’t need before the move

After you’ve sorted your clothes, you will know which of them you won’t need before you move. You’re strongly advised to pack those clothes in advance, so you can free up some time during the last hectic weeks before the move:

• Out of season clothes -If you’re moving in the summer, you won’t need your winter clothes before moving day – so you can start packing them ahead of time. And if you’re moving in the winter, you can pre-pack your summer attire;
• Specialty clothes – It is a good idea to pack in advance everything you will have no occasion – or no chance – to wear before your move – your formal attire if you’re not planning to attend a formal event, your hiking clothes because you’ll be busy with moving preparations and won’t have time to go hiking, etc.

Put aside the clothes you’ll need during your relocation

While sorting your clothes, be sure to put aside the items you’re going to need during and immediately after the relocation, so they don’t get packed with the rest of your garments:

• Decide what you’re going to wear on Moving day – Pick some comfortable clothes that allow flexibility of movement and provide protection. Be sure to take the weather into account when choosing your attire for the big day and make provisions for unexpected atmospheric conditions (what if it suddenly starts raining, for example?);
• Pack the clothing items you will need immediately upon arrival in your essentials bag -You will need a shower and a good night’s rest after the exhausting moving day, so make sure you have some towels, underwear, and pajamas at hand – pack these essentials separately from the rest of your clothes (so you can find them quickly in your new home) and be sure to put them in your survival kit (so they travel with you). In the event of a long-distance move, don’t forget that it may take your items – and your garments – several days to arrive, so be sure to include a change of clothes in your essentials bag as well.

At this point, you’re ready to start the actual clothes packing process.There are many different ways to pack clothes for moving – some of them are more appropriate for certain kinds of clothes than for others, some are only suitable in specific situations, and some are always effective. The best way to pack clothes for moving depends on the type of the garments and the specific circumstances of the move.

How to pack hanging clothes for moving

The easiest way to pack hanging clothes for moving is to leave them on their hangers and pack them as they’re. So, how to pack clothes on hangers then?

1. Use wardrobe boxes

Wardrobe boxes are your best choice when moving clothes on hangers. These specialized boxes offer an extremely convenient way to pack hanging clothes for moving – they’re tall and have a built-in metal hanging rack across the top, so you can just take your hanging clothes out of the closet as they’re and transfer them directly in the wardrobe box, hanging them on the metal rod. Simple as that.

On top of it, wardrobe boxes will keep your garments wrinkle-free and will provide excellent protection from dust, dirt, and damage.

This packing method is perfect for expensive clothes, delicate garments, and formal clothing – suits and dresses, boutique items, etc.

Keep in mind though that wardrobe boxes are rather expensive and take up a lot of space.

2. Use garment bags

Garment bags are especially designed to transport clothes on hangers – they come in different sizes to accommodate different lengths of clothes and feature a clasp that secures individual hangers.

Similarly to wardrobe boxes, garment bags are perfect for moving fine clothing items. Yet, they, too, are quite expensive – and they can fit only a couple of clothes.

3. Use trash bags

Packing clothes in garbage bags is one of the best tricks for packing hanging clothes for moving. It will save you a lot of time and effort – and even some space as, unlike suitcases and moving boxes, trash bags don’t take any space at all.

Wondering how to pack clothes in garbage bags? It’s really easy – all you need to do is take a clean drawstring trash bag, cut a hole in the middle of its bottom that is big enough for the hangers to get through, and pull the bag over a dozen of hanging clothes. Just be sure to pull the drawstring to secure the clothes in the bag and to wrap a twist tie around the hangers to hold them together.

Fast and easy as this packing method may be, though, it’s a bit risky – plastic bags tear easily and provide very little protection to the clothing items packed in them. Besides, they’re slippery and difficult to secure in place.

4. Use plastic wrap or sheets

Plastic wrap offers another easy and efficient way to pack clothes on hangers – you can simply wrap the plastic film around a group of hanging clothes and they’ll be ready for moving.

Plastic wrap can accommodate the exact length of your clothes and can be wrapped tightly around any amount of clothing items. It is not as slippery as trash bags, but it tears and melts just as easily.

You can wrap a sheet around hanging clothes the same way as plastic wrap – you will just need packing tape to secure the bundles. The soft sheet will provide better protection to your clothes and the bundles won’t be slippery.

Must-read: How to pack hangers and hanging clothes for moving

How to pack folded clothes for moving

Folded clothes can be packed in any moving container – suitcases, boxes, bags, etc. The easiest way to move them, however, is to leave them as they’re – inside the dresser.

If the wardrobe is sturdy enough, doesn’t need to be flipped sideways or tipped at a sharp angle during the move, and isn’t too heavy to be safely lifted and carried while full, you can just leave your clothes – whether hanging or folded – inside.

If, however, the dresser is too heavy or too frail, or if it cannot be moved in an upright position, you need to empty it before the move.

You will have to take your hanging clothes out of the wardrobe and use one of the above-described methods to pack them for moving.

Yet, you will still be able to leave your folded clothes in their drawers – you will have to take the drawers out of the dresser, but you will be able to use them as moving containers. This packing trick will save you a lot of time and effort – and a lot of space. Just be sure to secure the drawers with stretch wrap, so your clothes are safely contained inside and protected from dust and dirt.

See also: How to pack and move drawers

How to pack clothes efficiently for a move

When asking yourself “How should I pack my clothes when moving?”, you need to consider different clothes packing ideas, so you know your options and can choose the one that will work best in your case.

How to pack clothes in boxes

Cardboard boxes are the most standard packing containers for moving, so packing clothes in boxes seems like the logical choice.

Here is how to pack clothes in a moving box:

• Take a clean, sturdy, medium size cardboard box;
• Line the bottom of the box with packing paper;
• Fold your clothes flat and arrange them in the box. Be sure to put heavier clothing items on the bottom and lighter, more delicate garments on top;
• Cover the clothes with several sheets of packing paper;
• Close the box, seal it with packing tape, and label it with a permanent marker.

How to pack clothes in a suitcase

Suitcases are meant to transport and protect clothes, so they’re your best option for packing clothes for moving. You probably won’t have enough suitcases to hold all your clothes, though, so you will have to decide which of your garments to put in them. 

Suitcases are perfect for moving delicate clothes (as they provide excellent protection to the garments inside them) and heavier clothes (as they have wheels and can be easily moved around).

It is a good idea to pack the clothes you’re going to need immediately after the relocation in a suitcase that will travel with you, so you have what to wear while waiting for the moving truck with your belongings and the rest of your clothes to arrive.

When packing clothes in suitcases, you can fold your garments, roll them, or put them in packing cubes first – just be sure to put heavier items at what will be the bottom of the suitcase during transit.

How to pack clothes in a duffel bag

Duffel bags provide another efficient way to pack and move clothes. Just keep in mind that it is best to roll your clothes when packing them in a duffel bag (see below) and to place them so that the long side of the clothing roll is parallel to the long side of the bag.

How to bundle wrap clothes

In addition to packing clothes in different kinds of moving containers – boxes, bags, and suitcases – you can use an entirely different approach to packing clothes for a move – bundle wrapping.

This is an innovative clothes packing technique, intended to prevent creasing and save space. It involves layering your clothes, then gently folding them around a central core item to form a bundle that keeps the garments compact and free of wrinkles:

1. Make a tiny pouch (a “core”) with small, soft clothing items like socks and underwear;
2. Lay a large clothing item, such as a jacket, on a flat surface;
3. Start piling smaller clothing items on top – dresses, pants, skirts, shirts, blouses, etc.;
4. Place the core in the center of the layered clothes;
5. Begin wrapping the clothes around the core in succession until all the items are enwrapped in the biggest one.

Good to know: Sheets can be used to pack clothes for moving in a similar manner – spread a sheet on the bed and then place layers of clothes over it, starting from the larger ones and making your way to smaller items. When you decide that the pile is big enough, fold the ends of the sheet across the top of the clothes and tie them into a knot.

Both bundle wrapping and packing in sheets are very practical clothes packing methods when moving locally – you can simply put the bundles across the back seats of your car. That’s the easiest way to move clothes to a new home.

How to pack clothes to save space

As clothes take up a lot of space and space is quite valuable during a house move (the less space your items take, the faster and the cheaper your move is going to be), you will certainly want to use every way possible to save space when packing clothes for moving.

Roll up your clothes

Difficult to believe as it may be, rolled clothing items can take about 50% less space than folded clothing items – so rolling your clothes is a great way to save space when packing for a move. It is very easy, too – just lay a piece flat on its front and roll it upward starting at the bottom.

When rolling clothes with sleeves, be sure to fold the sleeves backward – and when rolling pants, first fold them in half vertically.

Roll your clothes as tightly as possible and secure the rolls with rubber bands.

You will be surprised to see how many rolls of clothes you will be able to fit on your duffel bags and suitcases.

Use packing cubes

Packing cubes keep your garments compact and organized, helping you maximize space when packing for a move and making unpacking quick and easy.

When using packing cubes, you’re supposed to squeeze as many clothing items from the same category as you can into a cube and zip it up. To save maximum space, you can roll your clothes before placing them in the packing cubes.

Keep in mind though that this method is not appropriate for delicate clothing and formal wear.

Use vacuum bags

Vacuum bags are your best bet for saving space when packing clothes for moving – they are especially designed to compress soft, voluminous items (like clothing and bedding) to make them as compact as possible.

But how to pack clothes in a vacuum bag? It’s really easy – just put several bulky clothing items in a compression bag, seal it shut, and use a vacuum hose or a hand pump to suck the air out (there is a special valve on the side of the bag that allows you to do that). When the air is sucked out, the vacuum bag will shrink down to a very small size, greatly reducing the amount of space your bulky would otherwise take.

Good to know: Compression bags are extremely efficient for packing winter clothes for moving as materials such as wool, down insulation, and synthetic fibers are very easy to compress (there’s a lot of air between the fibers that can be removed).

Bundle wrap your clothes

As mentioned above, bundle wrapping is intended to save space – the bundled clothes fit snugly in a suitcase or a moving box and take up the least possible space.

How to pack clothes without wrinkles

In order to prevent clothes from wrinkling when packing them for a move, you need to prevent friction between the garments (as it is the friction created when two items of clothing rub against each other that causes wrinkles) and to make sure the clothes are not squashed in their packing containers (as crushing the fabric inevitably results in creases).

You can successfully achieve that by:

• Bundle wrapping your clothes – For best results, make sure the clothes are pulled taut and more wrinkle-prone garments are on the outside of the bundle (where the radius of curvature is larger);
• Rolling your clothes – Be sure to roll the clothes tightly and smooth out the fabrics as you go;
• Adding tissue paper between the folds of folded clothes and between each two folded clothing items (so they don’t rub against themselves or against each other);
• Packing your clothes in individual plastic dry-cleaning bags (to create a layer of air around the garments that will prevent friction);
• Packing your clothes in wardrobe boxes or garment bags (so the garments are not squashed against each other);
• Not overstuffing your packing containers (to avoid crushing your clothes);
• Preventing shifting (to keep your clothes from flopping around in their moving container and rubbing against each other);
• Not placing any items over the packed clothes (to avoid pressure on the clothes) and putting heavier clothes on the bottom (so they don’t crush lighter ones);
• Not using packing cubes and compression bags.

Knowing how to pack wrinkle-free will save you a lot of time after the move – your clothes will arrive at your new home in perfect condition and ready to wear as soon as they’re out of the boxes.

Bonus tips for packing clothes when moving

A few more things to keep in mind when packing clothes for moving:

1) Make sure your clothes are clean and dry before you start packing them for a move. Any dampness can result in mold growth on your clothes, so it is crucial that your garments are completely dry when you put them in their boxes, bags, or suitcases. You’re also recommended to wash or dry-clean all your clothes before packing them for moving to avoid unpleasant smells, dust and dirt in the boxes and suitcases, etc.

2) Fold clothes from the inside out. This way, any creases your clothes might get will be inverted and it will be very easy to straighten them after the move;

3) Put an insect repellent in clothes storage containers. If you intend to store your clothes for some time before unpacking them, be sure to pack an insect repellent with your garments. Moths and other insects are quickly and easily attracted to certain materials, so take adequate measures to protect your clothes;

4) Pack hats and accessories separately. Hats need to go in separate large boxes – you can stack similar hats together and put some soft cushioning materials in the box to prevent shifting during transit. Hats that are not stacked together (oddly shaped hats, delicate hats, etc.) should be stuffed with paper – so they maintain their shape. Accessories are best packed in small boxes with some padding inside;

5) Use older clothes as wrapping and padding materials – to line the bottoms of boxes, to fill the gaps in your packing containers, to stuff hollow items, to wrap fragile items, etc. (See also: Alternative packing materials)

Related: How to pack shoes for moving

So, have you found the best way to pack your clothes when moving? Share your experience, ideas, and opinions with us!