How To Pack Clothes For Moving

Clothing is one of the last items a person packs when moving, but it also requires attention. While they aren’t strictly treated as vulnerable items if they aren’t packed and handled correctly, they can suffer from damages such as dirt, holes, rips, and tears. Along with this, you may have delicate and valuable compartments that are not suitable for just shoving into a drawer.

If you are currently troubled with packing your clothes and finding a good provider of full-service moving, consider the following tips.

Instead of simply stuffing everything into boxes, we introduce the Clothing Matrix Approach, a structured method that categorizes your wardrobe based on necessity, material, and accessibility.

Sorting by Clothing Matrix

Before you pack, go through your wardrobe and categorise them using a clothing matrix.

1. Use this matrix to decide what stays and what goes.
2. Throw away the things that don’t fit, donate or recycle what you don’t need but is still in good condition.
3. Something you may even sell.
4. Some of the stuff can be used to help with packing other fragile items and filling voids in boxes.

As a result of this categorisation, you will know how many and which boxes you will need and if you have any unwanted clothes.

Clothing Matrix

 

Category		Examples	Keep?	Donate?	Pack First
Everyday Essentials		Jeans, T-shirts, pajamas	✅	❌	❌
Seasonal Wear		Winter coats, summer dresses	✅	❌	✅
Special Items		Suits, evening gowns, cashmere	✅	❌	✅
Sentimental		Wedding dress, memorabilia	✅	❌	✅
Worn Out/Unwanted		Torn clothes, outdated fashion	❌	✅	❌

 

Sort by Packing Method

Now that you know what you’ll be leaving behind, sort things into four packing categories:

1. Hanging clothes: suits, dresses, blouses. Use clothing boxes to keep them from getting wrinkled, and take covers for extra protection.
2. Folded clothes: t-shirts, jeans, jumpers. Pack them in suitcases, dresser drawers or vacuum bags. Non-delicate items can fill baskets, suitcases, etc. to fill in the gaps and save space.
3. For the first time: activewear, pyjamas, casual shirts, a couple of sets of clothes. These things should be put in separate boxes that you unpack first.
4. Fragile/specialty items: silk, wool, delicate fabrics. Wrap them in tissue paper and store them in breathable bags.

 

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Use Strategic Packing Containers

1. Wardrobe boxes: For hanging clothes, suits, evening wear.
2. Vacuum-sealed bags: For bulky items such as winter coats, duvets, blankets, pillows and home textiles.
3. Plastic containers: Protect clothes from dust and moisture, easy to transport and stack on top of each other.
4. Drawer method: Move lightweight and less-needed items into the drawers of the chest of drawers.
5. Bags: Some things can be put into bags, e.g. bed linen, towels. But choose a sturdy material or two bags at a time.

Select the Most Appropriate Folding Method For Moving

There are several ways to pack your belongings in boxes and containers:

1. Folded Flat – you apply this strategy in your daily life when you’re sorting out your wardrobe and dealing with clean laundry. It’s the easiest, but things get more crumpled and take up more space.
2. The KonMari Method – Marie Kondo, a well-known organizing consultant, has her folding technique that can be useful when attempting to maximize space. Her method involves stacking extra folds cleanly in a bag or box to avoid the appearance of creases. She folds socks, underwear, shirts, and pants uniquely.

Label and Prioritize Unpacking

Statistically speaking, it takes about 180 days on average to unpack the last box after a move. So use colour coding to prioritise what you need to do right away.

1. Red: Open first (essentials, e.g. work clothes, pyjamas).
2. Yellow: Open second (seasonal and casual wear).
3. Blue: Open last (special items and long-lasting items).

Unpack Strategically

On arrival, use the clothing matrix again:

1. Immediately arrange your clothes on the hangers.
2. Give preference to casual clothes.
3. If storage space is limited, pack non-seasonal clothing.

Final Tip for Packing Clothes for Moving

Put together a set of ‘first week’ clothes.

Include:
✅ 2-3 outfits
✅ Sleepwear
✅ Underwear
✅ Jacket appropriate for the weather
✅ Washing bag

A Plus Moving Group can help you generate a strategy that would be perfect for your relocation and your spending plan; either you’re intending to do it all yourself or need some assistance lifting heavyweights.

Call us now at (800) 919-6332 to avail our local moving service!