How to Pack Clothes for Moving – Tips for an Organized Move

First, it’s helpful to lighten the load by letting go of the items you no longer wear. I’m talking about those jeans you haven’t fit into for five years or that sweater your aunt gave you that you’ve never actually liked. Sure, it can be sentimental, but sometimes we hold on to clothes that just take up space. Consider donating them to a local charity or thrift store. It saves you packing time, and someone else might appreciate your clothing more than you do.

I once moved from Austin to Houston for a job in freight logistics. During that move, I realized I had at least a dozen shirts I hadn’t worn since college. Guess what I did? I filled two big bags for donation, and it felt like a fresh start in my new city.

Alright, so you’ve weeded out the stuff you don’t need. Next step: group your items by category. Think T-shirts, pants, dresses, suits, winter coats – whatever categories make sense for you. Why do this? When you arrive in your new place, it’ll be easier to find that cozy sweater if all your sweaters are packed together. Plus, you’ll know exactly where your formal attire is if you have a fancy event coming up.

When I moved to Nashville, I separated my professional clothing from my casual gear. You wouldn’t believe how much time it saved when I needed to dress up for a work event just two days after settling in.

Okay, so this part might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people forget: wash and dry all your clothes before packing them. Nobody wants to open a box of musty T-shirts in a new home. Clean clothes also help reduce any weird smells that might develop if things sit in boxes for a while. My sister Megan once forgot to wash a small load of baby clothes and ended up doing laundry at midnight after her move – definitely not what you want on your first night in a new house.

Wardrobe boxes are like a dream come true for folks who want to keep their clothes on hangers. They come with a metal bar across the top, so you just lift your hanging garments from the closet rod and place them inside the box. That means zero folding, fewer wrinkles, and an all-around easy setup.

I remember using these boxes when my parents moved from Savannah to Chicago. My dad’s suits were wrinkle-free, and my mom’s dresses were basically ready to wear once we arrived. The downside? They can be a bit more expensive than standard boxes, and they take up a good deal of room in the moving truck. If you have limited space – or limited budget – maybe go easy on these or just use a couple of them for your most delicate clothing.

Suitcases and duffel bags are awesome for packing clothes. They’re sturdy, have handles or wheels, and can be reused once you settle into your new place. You can fold everything neatly and stack clothes so they stay relatively wrinkle-free. I like to throw in a couple of dryer sheets, too, so they stay fresh during transit.

I picked up this trick back when I was shuttling between Chicago and Austin for the holidays. I realized I didn’t have enough boxes, so I used my suitcases. It’s a simple solution, and it’s already in your house. Plus, once you’re done moving, you won’t have a bunch of empty cardboard boxes to recycle.

If you want to cram a lot of clothes into a small space, vacuum-seal bags are your best friend. You can find them in most home-goods stores or online shops. Put your clothes inside, seal the bag, and use a vacuum cleaner’s hose to suck the air out. The result? A compact, pancake-like package that’s easy to stack.

Caution though – while vacuum-seal bags can be super convenient, some fabrics might get extra creases if they’re compressed for too long. I learned this the hard way with a couple of my wife’s more delicate sweaters. They were so wrinkled we had to steam them three times to get them looking normal again.

Now, if you’re in a serious rush, heavy-duty trash bags can be a lifesaver. You can group about a dozen hangers together, poke a little hole in the bottom of the bag, and slip it over your clothes. Voila – your shirts and dresses stay together, and you don’t even have to remove them from the hangers.

Yes, it’s not the classiest method, but it works when time is short. I once had to move out of a college dorm in under 24 hours due to a summer project opportunity. Trash bags got me out the door fast, though let’s be honest – they’re not the sturdiest option. Watch out for tears, and be mindful not to mix them up with your actual trash.

If you prefer traditional cardboard boxes, that’s still a solid choice. They’re easy to get from stores, and usually less expensive than wardrobe boxes. Just remember to line them with packing paper or clean tissue to keep your clothes fresh. Fold or roll your clothes, stack them neatly, and tape the boxes shut. Make sure to label them – “Winter Clothes,” “Workout Gear,” or “Everyday Shirts” – so you’ll know exactly where everything is when you’re ready to unpack.

I personally like to get free boxes from places like grocery stores or local shops. Some folks get a bit squeamish about used boxes, but if they’re clean and sturdy, you’re set. Reusing boxes also cuts down on waste, which is a small but satisfying bonus when you’re moving.

If you’re just hopping to another neighborhood or the next town over, you can typically get away with simpler methods. Some folks don’t even box their clothes up – they just stack them in the back seat or trunk of a car, especially for a small load. I’ve done that when I helped my friend in Chicago move a few blocks down the street. We simply carried clothes on hangers from his old closet to his new one in just a couple of trips.

With short moves, the biggest advantage is time. You can pack a few items, transport them, and come back for more if needed. So if you’re not feeling the pressure to box everything precisely, it might be fine to keep it casual.

Long-distance moves demand more caution. Clothes can shift in transit, and boxes might end up in a storage unit for weeks. I once used PODS for a move from Austin to Seattle and had to let my stuff sit in a container for three weeks. In that case, I made sure everything was well-labeled, sealed up properly, and I even threw in a few silica gel packets to control moisture.

If you’re relocating across the country, vacuum-sealing or carefully folding in sturdy boxes is a good bet. And definitely label each container, because searching through ten boxes to find your pajamas after a long drive is less than ideal.

Look, we’ve all been there. Life happens. Maybe you got a job offer and have to relocate next week, or you realized your lease is up sooner than you expected. When you’re racing against the clock, simplify. Combine methods. Use suitcases for your core outfits, trash bags for quick closet packing, and don’t sweat the small stuff like color-coordinating everything.

The main goal for a rushed move is to get your clothes from Point A to Point B with minimal damage. Perfect folds? Possibly not. But at least you’ll have your things sorted out. After the dust settles, you can always reorganize in your new place.

For dresses, suits, or any specialty outfits, you might want to put them in garment bags. If you don’t have garment bags, even a large dry-cleaning bag can do the trick. The point is to protect them from dust and possible stains. If you’re using a wardrobe box, keep your formal wear at one end so it doesn’t get crushed against heavier garments like coats.

I’ve seen my dad’s business suits arrive in perfect condition after a 1,000-mile move, simply because they were carefully hung in a dedicated garment bag. And if you’re unsure, it never hurts to check with a professional cleaner for advice. Sometimes, they’ll even give you those extra garment bags free of charge.

Shoes can be oddly bulky, and if you’re like me, you might have way more pairs than you think. My trick is to stuff socks or small items inside the shoes to save space and help them keep their shape. Then place them in a box (or shoe-specific container) with bubble wrap between pairs so the soles don’t scratch the uppers.

Make sure your shoes are clean and dry before packing. I once learned this lesson the hard way: I packed my running shoes a little damp, and they ended up smelling funky after a few days in a box. If you’re moving multiple pairs, you can line the box with plastic or a towel to absorb any leftover moisture.

We’re talking belts, hats, scarves, jewelry – things that tend to get tangled if not handled right. You can roll belts and place them in a small box. For hats, it’s best to keep them in shape by filling them with tissue paper or socks and placing them gently in a box that fits their size.

Jewelry requires a bit more thought. Necklaces get tangled easily, so you might thread them through a straw, then tape the ends or place them in small bags. Label each bag to keep track. For bigger pieces, consider a jewelry roll or a compartmentalized organizer.