Moving can be stressful, especially when you have closets, drawers, and shoe racks full of belongings to sort through. The good news is that a little planning can make packing clothes and shoes much easier.
Before you start filling boxes, decide what you actually want to keep. Then organize your belongings by season and purpose, choose the right packing method, and protect clothing and shoes from moisture, dirt, wrinkles, and damage.
Whether you’re moving across town or putting some belongings into self storage, these clothing and shoe packing tips will help you pack like a pro.
What to Keep and What to Let Go
Before packing, take everything out of your closets and dresser drawers. Sort your belongings into three categories:
- Keep: Items you wear, need, and expect to use again.
- Donate or sell: Gently used items that no longer fit or suit your style.
- Discard: Clothing and shoes that are badly damaged, stained, worn out, or otherwise unusable.
Be realistic about what you keep. If you haven’t worn something in several years, it may be time to let it go. Decluttering before a move means fewer boxes to pack, carry, and store.
Clean Clothes Before Packing
Always wash clothing before packing it away. Items that require special care should be dry-cleaned according to their care instructions.
Clean clothing is less likely to develop unpleasant odors or attract pests while packed away. Make sure everything is completely dry before putting it into a box or storage container.
If you have expensive, sentimental, or especially delicate clothing, consider keeping those items with you rather than placing them in long-term storage.
Sort Clothes by Season and Purpose
Organizing clothes before packing will make unpacking much easier.
Separate clothing by:
- Season: Winter coats and sweaters, summer clothing, etc.
- Purpose: Work clothes, casual wear, athletic clothing, and outdoor or yard-work clothes.
- Material: Keep delicate fabrics separate from heavier garments when appropriate.
- Frequency of use: Keep clothing you’ll need soon easily accessible.
If you’re using a storage unit, clearly label each box with its contents and season. Instead of opening every box to find a sweater or jacket, you’ll know exactly where to look.
Choose the Right Way to Pack Clothes
Different types of clothing benefit from different packing methods.
Cardboard Moving Boxes
Standard small- and medium-sized moving boxes are useful for folded clothing. Avoid making boxes too heavy, and label each one clearly.
Suitcases and duffel bags can also be excellent containers for clothing, particularly items you’ll need immediately after the move.
Wardrobe Boxes
Wardrobe boxes are designed specifically for hanging clothes. They typically include a bar that allows you to transfer garments directly from your closet into the box.
Use wardrobe boxes for items such as:
- Suits
- Dress shirts
- Dresses
- Dress pants
- Jackets
- Other garments that wrinkle easily
Keeping these clothes on hangers can reduce wrinkles and make unpacking much faster.
Vacuum Storage Bags
Vacuum bags can reduce the amount of space required for bulky clothing such as coats, jackets, blankets, and sweaters.
They’re particularly useful when space is limited. However, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for the fabrics you’re storing, as prolonged compression isn’t ideal for every material.
How to Fold Clothes to Save Space
Proper folding can help you maximize box and suitcase space while reducing wrinkles.
The Flat Fold
The flat fold works well for bulky items such as jeans, sweaters, sweatshirts, and jackets.
Fold clothing into compact, even shapes and stack similar items together. This method works especially well in moving boxes.
The Military Roll
Rolling clothing can be an efficient way to maximize space in suitcases and bags. It’s particularly useful for shirts, casual clothing, and smaller garments.
Roll items tightly but avoid excessive compression, particularly with delicate fabrics.
The Layered “Clown Car” Method
For certain clothing combinations, layering garments can help create a compact stack while reducing excessive folding.
Lay shirts flat, place pants or jeans over them, and fold the sleeves and pant legs inward to create a rectangular bundle. This method can work well when packing several outfits together.
Can You Leave Clothes in Dresser Drawers?
Yes, you can often leave folded clothing in dresser drawers during a move if your movers allow it and the furniture can safely handle the additional weight.
Secure the drawers properly during transport and don’t overload them. For long-term storage, however, transferring clothing into appropriate boxes or containers may provide better protection and organization.
How to Pack Hanging Clothes
Use a Wardrobe Box
A wardrobe box is one of the easiest ways to move hanging clothes. Leave garments on their hangers, transfer them to the wardrobe box, and keep similar clothing together.
Avoid cramming too many garments into one box. Overpacking can cause wrinkles and make the box difficult to carry.
Use Garment Bags for Delicate Clothing
Garment bags can provide an additional layer of protection for delicate or special-occasion clothing.
They’re particularly useful for formalwear, wedding attire, suits, and other garments that need extra protection from dirt and damage during a move.
Avoid Using Trash Bags
Trash bags aren’t designed for long-term clothing storage. Plastic can trap moisture, which may contribute to unpleasant odors or damage when conditions aren’t properly controlled.
Use wardrobe boxes, garment bags, or appropriate storage containers instead.
Moving and Storage
Shoes need special attention because they can transfer dirt and odors to other belongings. They can also lose their shape or become scuffed when packed incorrectly.
1. Declutter Your Shoes
Before packing, go through your entire shoe collection.
Repair shoes that are worth keeping, and donate or sell gently used pairs you no longer want. Discard shoes that are beyond repair.
2. Clean and Dry Shoes Thoroughly
Remove dirt from the exterior with an appropriate cloth or cleaning method for the material.
Allow shoes to dry completely before packing them. Never pack damp footwear, as trapped moisture can lead to unpleasant odors and other problems.
3. Protect the Shape of Each Shoe
Stuff shoes with clean packing paper, socks, or soft washcloths to help them retain their shape.
Then wrap each shoe in packing paper to reduce scuffing and scratches.
Pro tip: Avoid newspaper or colored tissue paper. Ink and dyes can transfer onto shoes, particularly light-colored or delicate materials.
4. Use the Original Shoe Boxes When Possible
If you still have the original shoe boxes, use them. Place the shoes inside their individual boxes and then carefully stack the boxes inside a small or medium moving box.
If you don’t have the original boxes, wrap each pair individually and use a properly sized moving box.
Add layers of clean packing paper to the bottom and between shoes to provide additional cushioning.
How to Store Clothes in a Storage Unit
If you’re putting clothing and shoes into self storage, take a few additional precautions.
- Make sure everything is clean and completely dry before storage.
- Use sturdy boxes or appropriate storage containers.
- Avoid packing clothes so tightly that air can’t circulate.
- Keep boxes elevated from the floor when possible.
- Don’t place heavy items on top of delicate clothing.
- Label boxes by season and contents.
- Keep frequently needed items near the front of the unit.
- Follow the storage facility’s recommendations for protecting specific materials.
For valuable or sentimental clothing, consider whether climate-controlled storage or keeping the items with you is more appropriate.
Need More Space? Consider Self Storage
Sometimes the easiest way to make a move less stressful is simply to give yourself more space.
A self-storage unit can provide a convenient place to keep clothing, shoes, furniture, seasonal belongings, and other items while you organize your home or complete your move.
Montgomery Self Storage
Montgomery Self Storage is a locally operated self-storage facility serving the Montgomery, New York area.
The facility offers indoor and outdoor storage options, and units are cleaned and prepared for storage. The on-site team can help you choose a storage option that fits your needs.
If you’re preparing for a move or simply need additional space, contact Montgomery Self Storage at (845) 457-6229 or visit the facility at 9 Factory Street, Montgomery, NY 12549.
Pack Smarter for a Less Stressful Move
Packing clothes and shoes doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start by decluttering, clean everything before packing, separate items by season and purpose, and choose the right container for each type of clothing.
Use wardrobe boxes for hanging garments, appropriate boxes or bags for folded clothing, and extra protection for shoes and delicate items. Most importantly, don’t overpack.
With a little preparation, you’ll spend less time searching through boxes and more time settling into your new home.