Learning how to fold clothes for packing is essential whether your traveling for business or leisure. You don’t want to get to your destination without having everything you need just because you run out of space.
You also wouldn’t want to have a bunch of wrinkled clothes. Although you can iron them, you’ll be wasting precious time.
Sure, you can go with the traditional method of square folding. However, it is not the most space-efficient way to go and will leave your clothes with creases.
So how can you fold clothes for packing and avoid all that? We have a few ideas that might help you.
How To Fold Clothes for Packing
There are several methods to consider to maximize your travel bag space and reduce the risk of wrinkling. That said, we chose two methods that you can mix and match.
1. Rolling
Rolling is also known as the military or army roll method since many soldiers learn how to do it during their service. It is a great choice, especially for those using a backpack.
You start by smoothing out your clothing. Then, depending on the type of clothing, you should fold it in specific ways.
For instance, for t-shirts, you will lay them flat on a surface and fold the sleeves behind the shirt’s body, then fold the shirt in half lengthwise. After that, roll it up as tight as you can.
Below is a video demonstrating the proper way of doing the army roll.
2. Bundling
This method of folding clothes starts with a core piece like a rectangular organizer. It is a method of choice if you have a lot of accessories or tiny pieces to pack.
You can place them in the rectangular organizer. You then begin stacking clothes around that piece, starting with your heaviest clothing. Once you have stacked your clothes, place the rectangular organizer towards the top of the bundle.
Lastly, wrap and tuck the clothing around it. Place the bundle in your suitcase. Just note that this method works best with suitcases and not backpacks.
Helpful Packing Tips
Now that we have discussed how to fold clothes for packing, let’s give you a few packing tips that will further ensure you save space and prevent clothing wrinkles and creases.
Fold Tees Together
- When packing your clothes, it is a good idea to fold several tees together so that you can prevent wrinkling and utilize less space. No matter if you use the rolling or bundling method, this will work. You simply roll or bundle two or more pieces of clothing together, instead of just one.
Utilize a Mesh Bag
Make sure to pack your intimates in a mesh bag so that you have a bag that you can use to place your dirty pieces of clothing later in the trip. It will also ensure that your undies will be free from snags and other damages.
Pack Outfits Together
Apart from folding tees together, we also suggest that you pack outfits together or pieces of clothing that you’ll wear together. For example, your t-shirt and denim jacket or blouse and skirt. It is a really good idea for the bundling method, though, with some planning, you can do it with rolling as well.
Make Use of Your Shoes Wisely
No matter what type of packing you are doing, you will have multiple shoe choices most of the time. When it comes to the right method to pack your shoes, there are a few things you can do.
First off, wear your heaviest pair. Then you can pack socks and small things inside the body of the shoe, which will save you some room too.
Your shoes should also be the last thing to go; place them on top of your clothes. Also, you may want to place an old shower cap around them to protect your other clothes from getting dirty.
Things To Avoid
Not only do you need to use the right folding technique and packing tricks, but there are also some things to avoid. We’ve listed some of the most important ones to avoid.
Using Rubber Bands
A lot of people want to keep their rolls tight and use some sort of band. You might be able to use hair bands since they won’t leave a crease, but we highly suggest not using rubber bands. They will leave a crease, which means more work when you get to your destination.
Bringing Many Shoes
When choosing your footwear to bring, try to pack as few pairs as possible. To do this, we suggest shoes that you can dress up and down and those with a neutral color so they will go with everything.
Packing Thick Clothes
Unless you are going somewhere cold, we suggest you stay away from heavy clothing. Instead, go for layering. It will allow you to pack more and adjust to your temperature comfort levels easier.
Other Ways To Prevent Wrinkling
If you are super concerned about wrinkles when you fold your clothes for packing, some hacks might be useful. The top three suggestions we gathered from experts are as follows:
Separate Items With Tissue Paper
One hack is using the tissue paper commonly used to pack gifts. If you use a sheet between each piece of clothing, you will reduce the friction and reduce the chance of wrinkles.
Use Dry Cleaner Bags
You can also use dry cleaner bags. Pack one outfit in each bag and then pack them on top of each other.
Hang Your Clothes Immediately
When you get to your destination, the key to keeping clothes relatively wrinkle-free is to unpack and then hang them immediately. This is most especially important for business attires.
Final Thoughts
Packing can be stressful when you have a lot of clothes and limited space. That said, with the right method on how to fold clothes for packing, you’ll use the space you have more efficiently. You will also be able to reduce the chance of looking all disheveled when you get to your destination. Want to pack something tricky like a hat? Check out our guide on how to pack hats for travel or the best ways to pack jewelry for travel.
Just make sure you also keep in mind the do’s and don’ts of packing. Enjoy your trip!