The best way to pack clothes for moving

Packing guideMarch 6, 2020

If you are looking for the best way to pack clothes for moving, we can help you. Regardless if you have a few closets worth of clothes, or much much more, we have the tips to help. From packing clothes in boxes, to vacuum bags and special clothes boxes, each of your items needs a special strategy. Packing your items properly is just as important is hiring the most reliable Northern Virginia movers. Here we will cover the important things you need to do before packing your clothes, and how to pack them. Keep reading to find out how to pack your clothes like a champion and move to your new home stress-free.

Things to do before you start packing your clothes

Before you take on this adventure, you have to go through a small checklist to make sure everything is in order. You might not know it, but there are some clothes you don’t even need. Sorting through your closet and seeing what is in there is a good starting point. You maybe even make some money along the way by selling items still in style. Here are a few things you can do to make your packing efficient:

Wool sweaters folded on a chair
All clothes should be neatly folded before packing
  • Sort through your closet and assess it. – Take a good look at your closet and browse through all of your clothes, bags, and accessories. Which of those items are worth packing and which do you no longer need? To have a better overview of your closet, hang or lay out everything in front of you. This will give you a better picture of what you actually own.
  • Decide what you are going to keep, sell, and donate. – After assessing your closet, it is time to split everything into three piles: keep, sell, and donate. This is the best way to pack clothes for moving since getting rid of excess items helps speed things up. Items with no category can go into residential onsite storage containers as a good solution. To do this easier, ask yourself the following: Have I worn this in the past year? Does this item fit me? Is it still trending? If the answer to most of these is no, place the item in the donate or sell pile.
  • Donate items in good condition. – Take your donate pile and take it to the nearest Goodwill or Salvation Army. Many charities offer pick-up services free of charge. Make sure to get a tax-deductible donation receipt from the charity when donating household items.

The best way to pack clothes for moving are cardboard boxes

If you plan on using cardboard boxes to pack your clothes, that is perfectly fine. This is a cheap method since free boxes can be found easily. You can find them for free in local supermarkets, libraries, and liquor stores. Once you get your boxes, don’t just throw your clothes in them without order. For expert advice on the best way to pack clothes for moving, follow these steps. Start by having the right boxes for the job. For clothes, we recommend using small to medium boxes. This prevents you from overfilling them with clothes, which can break the bottom of the box. To stop your clothes from spilling on the street, secure them with packing tape. If the box is damaged or crushed in any way, you might want to consider replacing it with a sturdy one – as any experienced local movers Northern Virginia would recommend.

cardboard boxes the best way to pack clothes for moving
Cardboard boxes are a cheap and easy way of storing clothes

Next, line the inside of your box with plastic wrap or simple packing paper. This protects your clothes from moisture and wear-and-tear during the move. Fold your clothes neatly and place them in the box, making sure they are as flat as possible. This will make the unpacking process much simpler later on. When you pack everything neatly inside, place more wrapping paper on top of your clothes. Close it and secure it with packing tape. To help you find the box you need later, label them with sticky notes or sharpie markers.

Packing clothes in wardrobe boxes

Specialized wardrobe boxes are the easiest way to transport clothes, wrinkle-free! These cardboard boxes are specially designed to hang everything from dresses to skirts and pants. Wardrobe boxes are technically small portable cardboard closets, measuring three by two feet. Keep in mind that these boxes can be a bit more expensive than your regular cardboard squares. Expect to be set back around 30 to 50 dollars for them, but they will still be a very good investment. Inside is a built-in metal bar, perfect for hanging clothes.

coat hangers and the best way to pack clothes for moving
Use thin wire hangers with these boxes to reduce weight

To assemble this box, hold it bottom side up. First fold down the short flaps, followed by the large ones. Flip the box over and secure the metal bar in the slots. The bar should pop into these slots without much effort. Don’t force it, or you will damage the box. This is one of the common moving mistakes you should avoid. After this is done, you can start hanging your clothes inside the box. Each bar should be able to fit eight to ten pieces of clothing. When you finish, close the two longer flaps, which should have a cut out in the middle. Take the shorter flaps and bend the perforated edges. The bent pieces must fit perfectly into the cutouts of the larger flaps. Secure the top of the box with packing tape to make it sturdier.

Vacuum bags are yet another best way to pack clothes for moving

If you wish to fit as many items into one package, then vacuum packs are the solution for you. They allow you to store more items in less space, all while protecting your clothes from moisture and dirt. Regardless if you are using vacuum or compression bags, you should either roll up your clothes or fold them flat. Put the largest pieces into the bag first, and then lay the smaller items on top. Keep in mind that the essential clothes should be kept on top. You will need them in the first few days and they should be quickly accessible. When you fill the bag, seal it in such a way that it remains barely open. Press down on the bag as hard as you can to squeeze out any air left behind. Once all of the air is out, you can completely seal the bag.

white vacuum cleaner with a hose
Almost any vacuum hose can fit on the bag’s valve

If you are using a vacuum bag, place all of your items inside like you normally would. After you are done, seal the bag completely. Vacuum bags come with a valve on top, through which you remove the air with a household vacuum cleaner. Lift the cap and attach the vacuum hose to it, and then turn the vacuum on to suck out all of the air. When you finish, tightly close the valve and secure it with tape to prevent it from opening. Some may say that vacuum bags can damage the fabric of your clothes. However, if you are looking for a quick solution, vacuum bags are the best way to pack clothes for moving effectively.

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