How to Pack Clothes for Moving Like a Pro

Staring at your filled-to-the-brim closet and wondering how to pack clothes for moving? While it may be tempting to throw your clothes into a large box and move on to more important things, it will pay off in the long run to pack your wardrobe in an organized way. Here’s how to pack clothes for an easy move-in day.

Why Should I Pack Clothes for Moving Carefully? 

During an already stressful move, taking the time to sort through clothes, fold them, and pack them away into boxes can be seen as a nuisance. However, by taking the time to pack clothes carefully, you avoid more work and stress in the future. It will be extremely helpful to know what items you’ve brought and where exactly they are located. So, when it’s time to break in your new, spacious closet, unpacking and settling in will be easier. Plus, a stress-free unpacking experience will help you organize your new closet with ease.

How to Prep for Packing Clothes

Allow yourself ample time before the move to gradually pack away your wardrobe. Here are a few tasks you can do to prepare. 

Decide What to Keep, Donate, and Throw Out

Moving presents the perfect opportunity to declutter your home by assessing what you can’t live without and what you can stand to part with. If you have trouble letting go of certain clothing items, the first thing you can do is decide what you want to keep. That’ll be your “keep” pile.

Once that’s done, consider which items you no longer wear regularly but someone else may get better use from. That’ll be your “donate” or “sell” pile. Lastly, banish any damaged or old items to your “throw out” pile. Once you have a clearer idea of what you’ll take with you, you can sort through your remaining clothes.

Sort Your Clothes

There are many useful ways to sort through your clothes. One practical way is by season. For example, if you’re moving in the winter, you can pack your summer clothes in separate boxes and store them away once you get to your new home. Organize and pack all your clothes by season to maintain order. 

You could also sort your clothes by clothing piece, occasion, material, or person. Whichever method you choose, make sure to label each box accordingly to find your clothes easily later on.

How to Pack Clothes for Moving

Once you’ve sifted through and sorted your clothes, you’re finally ready to begin packing. Follow these steps for a stress-free packing experience.

1. Pick a Suitable Packing Method

The cardboard box—ideal for packing folded clothing—may be the first option that comes to mind when considering how to pack your clothes. But there are many other options to choose from. Some of which include:

• Wardrobe boxes: A wardrobe box has a built-in rod, making it an excellent way to pack clothes in hangers. To maximize space, you can also fill it with shoes and accessories. 

• Garment bags: You can buy a garment bag online or from your local dry cleaner. This packing method can make it easier to transport dresses, suits, and other clothing items on hangers. 

• Suitcases and other kinds of travel bags: Your luggage doesn’t only come in handy for vacation. It’s also a convenient way to pack folded clothes and shoes. 

• Vacuum bags: You can store bulky items like coats, comforters, pillows, and more in compression bags and vacuum them down. This will lighten your load on moving day. 

• Trash bags: Trash bags aren't the most glamorous option, but they’re a budget-friendly way to pack your clothes. Cut a hole through the bottom, insert your clothes on hangers, and then tie the bottom to secure it. 

• Plastic bins: A durable alternative to cardboard boxes, plastic bins offer more protection and can be easier to stack and transport.  

• Shoe boxes: If you still have the boxes your shoes came in, this is a perfect packing method for your shoes. If not, any cardboard box should do the trick. 

2. Try Out Different Folding Methods

Regardless of the packing method you choose, it’s important to maximize the space you have. You want to pack as many clothes into as few boxes as possible. To do this, you’ll need to fold your clothes efficiently. Consider three popular methods:

• The army roll: This folding method, also called the military fold or ranger roll, can make your clothes fit into compact spaces. For best results, roll each clothing item as tightly as you can. This method is best suited for suitcases and duffel bags. 

• The flat fold: For this method, you’ll need a flat surface and precision. For shirts, fold both sleeves in towards the middle of the shirt. Then, fold the bottom half of the shirt up. For pants, fold each leg over the other. Then, fold it in thirds. Smooth out any wrinkles and pack them away. This method is best suited for cardboard boxes or vacuum bags. 

• The KonMari method: Part of a larger philosophy that advocates for tidiness by category, one aspect focuses on folding clothes. To fold a shirt using the KonMari method, start by folding each side of a shirt toward its center. Then, fold the shirt in half, leaving a gap at the edge. Lastly, fold the shirt in halves or thirds. Pack it away by standing it upright on the edge you created during folding. 

3. Pack Clean Clothes Only

If you’re moving across the country, or even to another country, your clothes might be packed away for an extended period of time. So, it’s essential to pack only clean clothes. The last thing you’ll want to deal with is the stench of smelly clothes in your brand-new home. Consider having a laundry day before packing to make it easier for you.  

4. Pack a Separate Suitcase for Moving 

While you’ll be packing away most of your clothes, you still need clothes to wear during the moving process. So, pack a suitcase with a week’s worth of clothes along with pajamas, toiletries, and any other essential moving items. Don’t pack this suitcase with the rest of your belongings; rather, keep it with you so it’s easily accessible. 

5. Pack Accessories Separately 

It may be tempting to dump all of your jewelry and other accessories into one box. But it’s a wise idea to have a separate container with only accessories, especially items that are expensive or hold sentimental value. Use slotted jewelry boxes, watch boxes, and other specialty containers to keep your accessories organized and intact during the move. For valuable jewelry pieces or other high-end accessories, consider packing them in your moving-day suitcase to ensure they stay close to you throughout the move.

6. Unpack Boxes Carefully

You want to unpack your clothes as carefully as you packed them. Rather than rummaging through boxes and letting a pile of clothes accumulate in the corner of your new bedroom, take some time to unpack all of your clothes. Remove them carefully and take the time to fill your closet in a thoughtful, organized manner to minimize clutter.

Additional Tips on Packing Clothes for a Move

Some other helpful tips to keep in mind while packing clothes for a move include:

• Pack heavier items on the bottom and lighter items at the top. Rather than stuffing an entire box with heavy objects, distribute weight strategically. 

• If possible, keep your clothes in their dresser drawers and transport them that way. This method will save you time during the unpacking process. 

• Pack shoes separately from clothing to keep your clothes free of germs and dirt. 

• Line packing containers with packing paper (or another protective material) to keep them clean. 

• Create and follow a clothes-packing system that works for you. Staying organized while packing is essential for a seamless move.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

If you have a closet that’s overflowing with clothes or you need to pack for several household members, it’s worth hiring a local moving company that offers packing services to help out. That way, you can rest assured that the professional packers will assemble your clothing moving boxes in an organized fashion while you focus on other aspects of your move. Packing services typically cost about $1,000, depending on the number of items to pack. When hiring a moving company for your big move, get quotes from multiple companies about their packing and unpacking services to find the best deal.