How to Pack Clothes for Moving?

Alice

April 23, 2025

Moving to a new home is exciting, but packing clothes can feel overwhelming. Whether you have an entire wardrobe of designer outfits or just everyday essentials, knowing the best way to pack clothes for moving makes the process smoother and stress-free.

If you do not organize your clothing properly before moving, you may end up with creased, damaged, or misplaced outfits.

You also risk spending extra time unpacking and arranging clothes at your new home. However, with the right strategy and supplies, you can pack clothes efficiently and make unpacking a breeze.

This blog by Book a Move will take you through every tiny detail of how to pack clothes for moving. From sorting and choosing the right moving clothes boxes to using wardrobe moving boxes, we will cover everything you need to know to keep your clothes safe and organized.

Step 1: Sort and Declutter Your Clothes Before Packing

Before you start packing, take some time to declutter your wardrobe. This will help you get rid of clothes you no longer wear and lighten the load for moving. Here’s how to do it step by step.

Categorize Your Clothes

Sorting your clothes into categories will make packing more efficient. Here’s how you can separate your clothing:

Everyday Wear: T-shirts, jeans, casual dresses, work outfits.
Seasonal Clothes: Winter jackets, summer dresses, heavy coats.
Formal Wear: Suits, gowns, tuxedos, cocktail dresses.
Delicate Clothing: Silk, wool, and special fabrics that require extra care.
Shoes and Accessories: Belts, scarves, gloves, hats, ties, and handbags.

The One-Year Rule: What to Keep and What to Discard

A simple way to declutter your wardrobe is by using the one-year rule: If you haven’t worn something in the past year, it’s time to let it go.

Donate, Sell, or Recycle Unwanted Clothes

Donate: Clothes in good condition can be donated to charity organizations such as the Red Cross, Goodwill, or local shelters.
Sell: Consider selling high-quality items on platforms like Poshmark, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace.
Recycle: Torn or damaged clothing can be repurposed or sent to recycling programs to minimize waste.

By decluttering before you pack, you ensure that only the clothes you truly need and love make the move with you.

Step 2: Gather the Right Packing Supplies

Using the right packing materials will protect your clothes from damage, moisture, and dirt. Below are the essential supplies you need for packing clothes for moving.

Essential Packing Materials for Clothing

Wardrobe moving boxes: Tall boxes with built-in hanging rods for moving clothes that need to stay on hangers.
Regular moving clothes boxes: Standard cardboard boxes for folded clothes.
Suitcases and duffel bags: Ideal for packing heavy clothing like jeans, sweaters, and jackets.
Vacuum-seal bags: Useful for compressing bulky clothes and saving space.
Garment bags: Protect delicate and high-value clothing from dust and moisture.
Packing paper and tissue paper: Prevents wrinkles and protects delicate fabrics.
Plastic storage bins: Ideal for long-term storage and protection against humidity.
Ziploc bags: Keeps smaller clothing accessories like socks, gloves, and scarves organized.
Duct tape and labels: Helps secure boxes and ensure everything is properly labeled.

Step 3: Different Methods for Packing Clothes

There are various ways to pack clothes depending on the type of clothing and available packing supplies. Here are the best techniques to use.

Packing with Wardrobe Boxes (Best for Hanging Clothes).

Wardrobe moving boxes are the best way to pack clothes for moving that need to remain on hangers. These boxes prevent wrinkles and make unpacking easier.

How to pack using wardrobe moving boxes:

Assemble the wardrobe box and attach the hanging rod.
Transfer clothes directly from your closet onto the hanging rod inside the box.
Make sure hangers are properly aligned to prevent tangling.
Close the box, seal it with tape, and label it accordingly.

Rolling Clothes (Best for Casual Wear and Space Saving).

Rolling clothes is a great way to maximize space and prevent wrinkles.

Step-by-step rolling method:

Put the clothing item flat on something.
Fold in sleeves or edges for a compact shape.
Roll the clothing item tightly from the bottom up.
Place the rolled clothes into suitcases, moving boxes, or duffel bags.

Flat Folding (Best for Workwear and Delicates)

Flat folding is ideal for wrinkle-prone clothing such as workwear and delicate fabrics.

How to flat fold clothes properly:

Lay the garment flat on a surface.
Fold it lengthwise in half.
Fold it in thirds or quarters for compactness.
Stack neatly in a moving clothes box to prevent shifting.

Vacuum-Sealing for Bulky Clothes

Vacuum-sealing is an excellent technique for packing winter coats, sweaters, and blankets while saving space.

How to vacuum-seal clothes:

Place clothes in a vacuum bag.
Use a vacuum cleaner to remove excess air.
Seal the bag tightly.
Pack the sealed bag in a plastic bin or moving box for extra protection.

Using Suitcases for Heavier Items

Heavy clothing like jeans and sweaters can be stored in rolling suitcases to make transportation easier.

Packing heavy clothes in suitcases:

Place the heaviest items at the bottom.
Roll or fold clothes neatly to maximize space.
Distribute weight evenly to avoid straining suitcase wheels.

Step 4: Packing Shoes and Accessories

Shoes and accessories require special packing techniques to avoid damage.

Packing Shoes the Right Way

Clean shoes before packing to prevent dirt transfer.
Use shoe boxes or plastic bins to protect shoes.
Stuff socks inside shoes to maintain their shape.
Wrap each pair in packing paper to prevent scuffing.

Packing Accessories

Belts: Roll and store inside small boxes or zip-lock bags.
Hats: Stack inside firm boxes to prevent crushing.
Jewelry: Store in jewelry boxes or wrap in tissue paper.

Step 5: Labeling and Organizing Your Boxes

Labeling your boxes properly will make unpacking much easier.

Labeling by Category

Write clear labels on each box:

“Winter Clothes”
“Workwear”
“Shoes & Accessories”
“Delicates – Handle with Care”

Color-Coding

Use colored stickers:

Blue: Bedroom clothes
Red: Seasonal clothes
Green: Delicates
Yellow: Shoes and accessories

Final Thoughts

Packing clothes for moving can be stress-free if you follow the right steps and use the correct packing materials. By using wardrobe moving boxes, moving clothes boxes, and the best way to pack clothes for moving, you can ensure your clothing arrives safely at your new home.

If you’re in need of professional assistance, booking a move with a renowned local Melbourne removalists company can help make the packing and transportation process even easier. They provide expert packing services to ensure your clothes and other belongings are securely packed and ready for the move. Happy moving!

Images Credit – Deposit Photos

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writer's bio

Alice

Alice, an ace content strategist and writer with years of experience crafting compelling narratives across diverse industries, excels at turning complex topics into engaging, easy-to-understand content. Known for her knack for blending storytelling with strategic insight. Alice creates blogs, articles, and press releases that not only inform but also resonate with readers. Her dedication to understanding industry trends and audience needs ensures every piece he writes delivers value, clarity, and impact. Whether it’s simplifying gold trading insights, curating coffee shop strategies, or championing local businesses, Alice’s words leave a lasting impression.

How to Pack Clothes for Moving?

Step 1: Sort and Declutter Your Clothes Before Packing

Categorize Your Clothes

The One-Year Rule: What to Keep and What to Discard

Donate, Sell, or Recycle Unwanted Clothes

Step 2: Gather the Right Packing Supplies

Essential Packing Materials for Clothing

Step 3: Different Methods for Packing Clothes

How to pack using wardrobe moving boxes:

Step-by-step rolling method:

How to flat fold clothes properly:

How to vacuum-seal clothes:

Packing heavy clothes in suitcases:

Step 4: Packing Shoes and Accessories

Packing Shoes the Right Way

Packing Accessories

Step 5: Labeling and Organizing Your Boxes

Labeling by Category

Write clear labels on each box:

Color-Coding

Use colored stickers:

Final Thoughts

writer's bio

Alice

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