I have clients who like to roll their clothes and underwear and socks when we are organizing at their homes. And some of them like to roll their clothes when packing a suitcase for a trip. In many cases it is true that rolling rather than folding clothes can create more space. Rolling makes items more compact and can reduce wrinkles. The heaviest rolls, like jeans, go on the bottom of the suitcase; smaller rolls like socks and underwear go on top or crammed into extra spaces.
I travel a lot so that means I pack luggage a lot. One thing I hated was when I got to my destination and opened my luggage all of my stuff was a jumbled mess. A fellow organizer suggested to me that I put my stuff in Ziploc bags!
Yes Ziploc bags! I use big ones and small ones. Rather than having my suitcase explode all over the hotel room every time I open it, I like to keep everything separated in zip-lock bags or packing cubes. One bag will hold socks, one bag will hold a few t-shirts, etc. The clear bags make it easy for me to find things, will help keep everything wrinkle free, can save space (if you compress all the air out), and makes it easy for the TSA to root through my belongings if they have to do a search. It can also be handy to pack an entire outfit, from top to underwear, in each bag, so you just have to grab one bag in the morning and you can be dressed without having to think about it. Same goes for small items like chargers and medicines. And then everything stays in its place and its easier to pack everything. (Make sure you get the air out of each bag.) And when I unpack form a trip, I keep them in my suitcase for the next trip.
Ziploc Bags (and other brands) can be found virtually everywhere bags are sold.
- If using a moving company take all of the items you don’t want them packing (undies, financial stuff), box yourself and set aside. If you have things you are taking with you have them set in an area they won’t get in the way.
- Take the loose items in all of your drawers and put them in a zip lock to bag. This works especially well for junk drawers. Then label the bag and put it back in the drawer if you have a moving company.
- Pack heavy items like books in small boxes, and lighter items like blankets and pillows in larger boxes. While your packing keep in mind that your going to have to lift that box.
- If you are looking for smaller boxes, the produce section of your grocery store usually has banana boxes which work great.
- Pack clothes in suitcases, they are easier to lug around. (Some Tote bags are useful too.)
- Keep a moving journal with all of the phone numbers you may need. This includes all of the phone numbers to people you may need to contact for change of address, and moving company phone numbers. In that journal keep a list of all your credit card companies, utilities, and bank accounts. Have the phone number and account number with them for ease of switching everything.
- Label your boxes well if packing yourself. List the main items in the box and the room they go in.
