Phinnie Zahareas is a contributing writer for USA TODAY Homefront. She works as a project manager and professional organizer for a moving company in Louisiana. She’s managed dozens of moving jobs — from tiny houses to sprawling office buildings — and aims to make relocations easier for everyone. In addition to her work in the moving industry, she holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of New Orleans. She still lives in New Orleans, where she walks her two spotted dogs along the Mississippi River every evening.
Editorial note: Homefront (defined in the Disclosure below) may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured on our site. This commission does not influence our editors’ opinions or evaluations.
Knowing how to pack clothes is a bit of an art. Whether you’re a Marie Kondo minimalist or a throw-it-all-in-and-hope-for-the-best packer, you must strategize on a method for packing clothes that’ll work for you.
Your approach will depend on your packing materials budget, time frame and how well you’ll tolerate wrinkles in your clothes.
“You can spend hours rolling your clothes up military style, use sweaters to wrap your vases or hang each item in wardrobe boxes,” said Vanessa Niemann, project manager at the Occasional Wife, a moving company in New Orleans. “It just depends on your preferences.”
To help you along the way, we cover the best packing options for your wardrobe as well as three foolproof methods for folding clothes en route to your new home.
From sturdy boxes to specialized garment bags, the materials you use will determine the condition of your clothes when you arrive at your new home.
Note that if your wardrobe is filled with couture pieces or delicate vintage pieces, you may want to contact a home organizing expert for specialty packing supplies such as garment bags.
“Wardrobe boxes are the best option if you want your hanging clothes to stay fresh, wrinkle-free, and ready to wear upon arrival at your destination,” Niemann said. These tall boxes have a built-in hanging rod, allowing you to transfer garments directly from your closet to the box. This makes wardrobe boxes one of the least labor-intensive options for packing hanging clothes for a move — though once they’re packed you might need a friend or professional mover to help maneuver these large boxes to the truck.
Their convenience comes at a cost, though. A large wardrobe moving box from U-Haul costs $20.95, and the short version for shirts costs $15.95. They also take up a lot of space. U-Haul’s large wardrobe box measures 24 by 24 by 48 inches, so you should be mindful of how many you plan to use based on the moving truck size.
Use wardrobe boxes selectively for your most valuable or delicate clothing, such as wedding gowns, suits, linen garments, silk items and long coats. Opt for alternative packing materials for the rest of your wardrobe to optimize space and reduce costs for an interstate move.
Laydown wardrobe boxes are also for transporting hanging clothes. Unlike traditional wardrobe boxes, laydown wardrobe boxes are designed to lay flat on the ground or on top of other items.
Like traditional wardrobe boxes, you can transfer garments directly from the closet into lay-down wardrobe boxes, but you place your items flat in the box on the hanger. However, they provide less wrinkle protection, especially for longer garments.
U-Haul sells them for $7.95, making laydown wardrobe boxes a practical option for efficiently packing and transporting hanging clothes, particularly with limited space or budget.
Vacuum seal bags are plastic compression bags that compress their contents when you extract air via a one-way valve using a vacuum cleaner. Vacuum seal bags are excellent for reducing the volume of clothing and packing bulky items such as winter coats, jackets, sweaters, blankets and bedding.
Avoid vacuum-sealing delicate items such as silk garments with fragile embellishments, as the compression process could damage them. Avoid leaving clothes in vacuum seal bags for extended periods, as prolonged compression can affect the shape and cause mildew growth.
Sturdy plastic containers with secure lids protect clothes from dust and moisture during transportation. They’re also stackable — ideal for maximizing space in moving trucks or storage units.
This storage option is practical beyond getting your items from point A to point B. For example, use them to store seasonal clothing, linens or other household items after unpacking.
Many companies rent plastic bins for moving and offer convenient pickup and delivery. For example, NYC-based Cool Hand Movers provides this service through its online system. The rental process involves selecting the number and size of bins you need for your move, scheduling delivery and pickup dates and paying the rental fee.
Cardboard boxes are versatile and can be used to pack various clothing items, such as folded clothes, accessories and shoes. They are generally more affordable than other packing materials such as plastic bins or wardrobe boxes.
When using cardboard boxes to pack clothes for a move, stick to smaller and medium-size boxes. Clothes can add up in weight, especially when packed densely. “You don’t want to fill a large box with heavy items like denim or shoes,” Niemann said.
Large boxes will become too heavy to lift safely, and overpacking puts excessive strain on the box’s structure and increases the risk of breakage.
Contractor bags are heavy-duty plastic trash bags that can be a practical and affordable option for packing folded clothes during a move, especially for local moves or when transporting items in your car. Contractor bags can be easily loaded and unloaded from any vehicle. Their flexible nature allows them to conform to different shapes and spaces, maximizing transportation efficiency.
Contractor bags are relatively inexpensive compared to other packing materials such as cardboard boxes or plastic bins. They are readily available at hardware stores, home improvement centers and online retailers, making them a cost-effective choice for budget-conscious movers.
Packing clothes in suitcases and duffel bags can be practical and efficient if you already own them and will transport them to your new location.
Suitcases and duffel bags are designed to maximize space efficiency, allowing you to pack a significant amount of clothing while minimizing wasted space. Their compact and stackable nature makes them ideal for fitting into the trunk of a car or stacking in the back of a moving truck. They often come with handles and wheels for easy transportation.
Garment bags are an excellent option for do-it-yourself moves, as you can bring your hanging clothes to your new home in your vehicle or lay them in the back of the moving truck on top of other items.
Choose large garment bags that can accommodate your clothes without overcrowding. Open the bags, carefully place your clothes inside and zip them securely to stop them from slipping out during transit. Lay the bags flat in your vehicle’s trunk or back seat. To minimize wrinkles, avoid folding or compressing the bags.
When preparing clothes for moving, folding methods are crucial in saving space and can help prevent wrinkles and creases, keeping your wardrobe intact throughout the transition. Here are the best clothes-folding techniques for optimal packing efficiency:
The tight square method involves folding clothes into compact squares to save space. Lay the garment flat and smooth out any wrinkles. Fold the sides of the garment inward to create a rectangle, then fold it in half vertically. Fold the garment horizontally in thirds or quarters to create a tight square.
This method works well for clothing such as undergarments, T-shirts, jeans and sweaters.
Rolling clothes is an effective space-saving technique that prevents wrinkles. Lay the garment flat and fold the sleeves toward the center of the garment. Fold pants in half at the seam. Starting from one end, tightly roll the garment into a cylinder shape.
Rolled clothes can be stacked horizontally in cardboard boxes, plastic bins or suitcases, allowing you to maximize space and easily see each item.
When packing fragile items or bulky accessories, consider wrapping them in clothing to provide extra cushioning. For example, wrap fragile items such as dishes or electronics in soft clothing such as T-shirts or sweaters.
Place small items inside shoes or boots to utilize space efficiently. This method protects your belongings, maximizes space in your packing containers and cuts packing materials costs.
To prevent wrinkles in your clothes when packing for a move, consider the following tips:
Downsizing your home beforehand helps streamline packing, ensures you’re only transporting items you need and want and cuts down on moving costs. If you’re embarking on a long-distance move, consider the climate of your new location and declutter accordingly. Purge your closet to determine what you want to keep, donate or discard.
Once you’ve decided which clothes to pack, prepare for the packing process. Gather your supplies. Packing supplies are widely available from home improvement stores, office supply stores and online retailers. You can also find free or low-cost supplies by checking local classified ads, community websites such as Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, and grocery and liquor stores.
Organize by type of clothing, season or functionality. Consider grouping similar items such as tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear and accessories. Sorting helps you stay organized and makes it easier to unpack and find specific items when you arrive at your new home.
While packing clothes yourself is a viable option, consider hiring professional movers to handle the task if you don’t have time. Professional packers have the expertise, experience and resources to handle your clothes efficiently and securely.
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