How to pack winter clothes for moving
Preparing for a move this winter? This Master Moving Guide will give you the best tips and tricks on how to pack winter clothes before moving. We realize most clothes usually end up just being shoved in anything that you can find. This is usually done at the last minute and we don’t recommend it. Instead, carefully sort everything out and be proactive about packing clothes, and you will have more options on what to do with them. Maybe you want to throw half of them away and give them away to a homeless shelter. Maybe you want to find some old winter clothes that you forgot you even had and give them to someone that really needs it. Regardless, you won’t have these options if you just stuff your boxes with winter clothes randomly, hence we suggest you be delicate and plan everything.
Get adequate supplies for packing winter clothes
The first step in properly packing winter clothes is to find the best supplies you can get. It’s best to start with some cheap moving supplies like boxes and bags. Furthermore, make sure you label the boxes before putting anything in them. This is a key step that can be extremely frustrating if skipped. If you have 10 boxes with no labels with random winter clothes in your new home and you want to wear your favorite winter jacket, you’re out of luck. So make sure you clearly label every box.
We also suggest you use drawstring trash bags if you are on a tight budget. You can put your clothes inside very easily and they will be secure. This is only for clothes that require hanging. Consider vacuum and compression bags in order to protect your clothes from the elements. So when you get your boxes, bags, markers, and tape, move to the next step.
Sort before packing
The next step is to sort everything out. This can be pretty tedious but we assure you it will be worth it in the end. You can sort them by who they belong to, by material, or by which type of piece of clothing are they. We suggest going with the piece method and by a person. It will make unpacking much more hassle-free.
Furthermore, if you have extra clothes that you have no need for, the best thing is to give them to a friend or a loved one that needs them. Maybe you are just sick of the jacket that you wore for 2 years and want something different, that jacket will be very valuable to someone who just started wearing it.
You can also give your clothes to a shelter in need of clothes. Furthermore, if you are on a tight budget but still want to give away clothes, we suggest you buy some cheap moving boxes. If something is in good condition, you can also sell it. By sorting everything, you will have an easy time figuring out what clothes you want to keep and give away. This is your best chance to sort out clothes for selling and giving away because you have everything in front of you, so keep that in mind.
Best folding methods
The next step is to choose your weapon of choice regarding folding. We will discuss three methods that we think are the best for packing winter clothes:
- Rolling Method – Perfect for t-shirts, dresses, pajamas, and pants. Not ideal big clothes like jackets and pullovers. It’s also difficult to use this method on button-up shirts.
- The Flat Fold Method – Folding is quick, effortless, and super easy. It still takes up unnecessary room and some things are hard to fold.
- KonMari folding method – A modern and very specific new method with a lot of hype. Lots of useful guides and resources online.
Pick the perfect strategy to pack winter clothes for moving
This is the last step before you make your move. Now that you sorted and folded all your clothes, you will have to choose the best way to pack them with the right packing supplies. Since there are a lot of packing hacks for moving, there can be a ton of information to take in. Don’t make it more complicated than it has to be, stick to the basics. You will have to get your packing supplies, label the boxes and choose your packing supply for each type of clothing carefully.
Packing with cardboard boxes is beneficial when you are on a budget and don’t have too much time to look for better options. We suggest going to a local store or a facility and asking for boxes. Chances are you will get more than plenty. When you get your boxes, there are a few things you need to look out for in order to pack your winter clothes properly. The first thing to do is to make sure the boxes are the adequate size. Doesn’t need to be something exact, just look for what has the best balance between being too bulky and not having enough space.
The next thing is to, again, make sure everything is labeled and that it’s taped properly. You will need a lot of tapes, just be sure to buy extra and not run out of them. The last thing you want to hold you back is a few bucks of tape that you would need either way. We also suggest using packing paper in order to make sure your clothes are protected from the elements. You can also use the suitcases you have for some more delicate stuff because suitcases generally have more utility. Plus, you will need to move the suitcases anyway, so pack away!
Last thoughts on how to pack winter clothes for moving
Moving and packing can cause a lot of unnecessary stress in your life. The best way to manage this is to plan everything ahead. We covered some basic tips on how to pack winter clothes for moving. Try not to complicate things and look to plan everything ahead. We are sure you won’t have much trouble if you do follow each step with care. If you are not sure how to do it or you think you don’t have enough time to properly pack your stuff, hiring movers is always a good option.