How to pack clothes for a move: Five steps to stay organized

Packing up your closet when moving can be stressful — but it doesn't have to be.

You might have a lot of clothes or you may be a minimalist. Taking the time to pack thoughtfully and consider what you are bringing with you can make unpacking in your new home easy.

These steps will streamline the process and help you avoid common mistakes.

Before you start tucking away your clothes in bags and boxes, pack for your moving experience. Look at your moving timeline and the season and decide what clothes are absolutely necessary to keep on hand during this time. Have about two weeks’ worth of daily clothes that you can mix and match. Having this set pile of clothes ready will allow you to focus on packing the items you are not using.

Pro tip: Keep comfortable clothes that can get dirty to wear on moving day.

Common mistake: Don't forget shoes. You will want a few pairs of shoes, including ones to move in with.

If it’s summer, you won’t need your wool sweaters. And if it’s winter, you won’t need your jean shorts. Depending on your timeline, you should start packing the clothes in your closet that you are not currently wearing.

Summer clothes, by nature, are lighter, smaller and easier to pack. Winter clothes tend to be bulky and take more work to pack.

Pro tip: Use a vacuum seal bag to compress bulky items.

Common mistake: Don’t bring clothes that you no longer want or need. Take this time to sort through everyone’s closets to make sure everything fits. Start a donation bag or box that you can easily drop off at a thrift store while moving.

You likely will use some suitcases or duffle bags to keep your essentials with you while moving, but any other luggage can be used to pack clothes.

Pro tip: For hanging clothes, take a clean trash bag and wrap it around a section of the closet. Then, use the plastic drawstring to tie the bag off at the hook of the hangers. By keeping the clothes on their hangers, it will be easy to move them into the new closet. You can still put these bags in boxes to make it easier to move.

For bulky items, try to make them as compact as possible by folding or rolling them up. For packing clothes in boxes, sort them as you would keep them in a drawer. Make sure to fold items to save space and keep them nice.

Common mistake: Don’t pack dirty clothes. Take the time to clean items before packing them. That way, you have fresh, clean clothes in the new home.

Shoes are bulky, heavy and hard to pack. If you have a hanging shoe organizer, then try rolling it up and packing it as is. You can also sort shoes by season, keeping boots together and sandals separate.

The more detail you can put on the outside of the boxes, the easier it will be to unpack them. Before you pull the tape off the box, you should know what you will find inside.

In addition to what is in the box, label the bedroom or closet it will be going into, whether it’s the kids’ room, coat closet or primary bedroom.

Pro tip: Be specific! If you have multiple kids, don’t just say “kid clothes.” Instead, use their name or initials and label with a descriptive word like “Jack’s winter clothes.”

While it may be tempting to shove everything in the closet and in drawers, take the time to organize. It will never be easier to organize than when your closet is a blank space. Having set aside the clothes you need for moving in Step 1, you should have some wiggle room for unpacking clothes.

Pro tip: Try organizing your closet for function. Group your clothes by seasons, types or colors.

Common mistake: Avoid shoving clothes in drawers. Take the time to refold clothes and sort them in the drawer. You can use drawer organizers for extra support in staying neat.