How to Pack Clothes for Your Big Move
A house move can be exhausting, especially if you have so many clothes from large wardrobes (among other things) to pack. Clothes are expensive, treasured, and heavy when gathered together, and it is vital that you keep them safe from damage and dry during transportation.
Here’s how you can pack your clothes the correct way to make them ready for pick-up by a local removalist.
1. Organize your clothing pieces
Before you start packing your clothes, make sure they are all clean and free from stains. Wash them properly and allow to dry completely, then start folding them. If you want to avoid the hassle of washing your clothes yourself first to get them ready for packing, you may want to get in touch with a trusted laundry services provider that can expertly handle all kinds of fabrics.
The bottom line is that you should resist the temptation to pack damaged or stained clothes without washing or repairing them. This is also the best time for you to assess your closet and get rid of items that you’ll no longer use.
To get started, here are some useful tips:
- Classify by kind, season and purpose.
- Create a pile of similar items and place them inside a box with a label stating their category.
- Discard unused or damaged clothing to avoid packing unnecessary items.
- Separate seasonal clothes that you will not need during your big move.
- Separate clothes by size and place large items in one box and small items in another. For instance, pack jackets, sweaters and coats in one box, while, socks, underwear and gloves should go into another smaller box.
2. Pack up off-season clothes immediately
After you’ve organized your clothes, begin packing your off-season clothing ahead of time. These are clothes you won’t be using within the months of your move date. Label the boxes where you store them so that you know that you don’t need to unpack those immediately at your new home.
If you’re storing off-season clothes for longer than several months, make sure to protect them from unwanted pests and moisture.
3. Set your “moving clothes” aside
Use an extra box, suitcase or duffel bag to store clothes that you’ll use during the moving week. After the move, unpacking may take you weeks or months to complete. Free yourself from the hassle of digging through enormous boxes or bags of clothes by separately packing clothes that you can wear during the first week of your arrival, including essentials like underwear, socks, and sleepwear.
4. Pick the best method of packing
The distance of your move and the kinds of clothing involved will help you determine which packing method will work best. Nevertheless, it’s crucial to keep your clothes protected and sealed for the entire duration of the move.
- Use wardrobe boxes – Store hanging clothes inside an enclosed box or garment rack for a long distance move.
- Wrap hanging clothes – For a short distance move, you can pile hanging clothes onto a cart. Just make sure that you tie the hangers together and move them in about five to 15 groups. Cover each group with a clean garbage bag or sheet to protect them from dirt and dust.
- Leave clothes in drawers – For clothes inside a dresser drawer, you can leave them in place and seal doors. This way, they won’t fly open during the move. It’s also safer to remove the drawers and seal them with plastic, then move them separately.
- Vacuum seal – If you’re packing off-season clothes for a short period of time, you can vacuum seal them to save space.
- Create a clothing bundle – The bundle method in packing makes it easier for you to move clothes in and outside the boxes. Lay one big item on a flat surface like a jacket. On top of it, layer a smaller piece, followed by another, much smaller item. Once the large item (jacket) is full, wrap it around the smaller items to create a bundle.
5. Pack shoes and delicates individually
To prevent damage, it’s important that you keep your shoes and delicates separate from your clothes. Wrap silk and other delicates in tissue paper to add an extra layer of protection.
6. Place labels on boxes
Each label on your boxes should contain the season, type, size, and the room where it will be placed in your new home. Make sure to use enough tape to secure the labels you’ve made. It’s also a good idea to keep a list of your packed clothes to serve as an inventory.
Packing clothes for a move is not a task that many people enjoy. However, it’s an essential aspect of keeping your move organized. It may seem like packing clothes is simple and quick to do, but because it involves handling several pieces of clothing altogether, you may want to start early to make sure you get everything properly packed and ready before the move date.
AUTHOR BIO
Kim Hill works on Marketing at Adams & Rofe Removals and Storage and has been a dynamic figure in the removal industry for over 30 years. For relocating families, individuals or offices around Sydney or all over Australia, Kim will develop the perfect removal plan to take the stress out of your next move.
