How to Pack Clothes for Moving

Difficulty

Easy

Move Time

30 min - 1 hour

Prep Time

Under 30 min

Moving to a new home can be both exciting and a bit overwhelming, especially when it comes to packing up your belongings. Packing clothes might seem simple, but doing it efficiently is important to make sure everything arrives at your new home in good condition. This guide will help you pack your clothes step by step, making the process easier and stress-free.

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What You Need

Sturdy boxes

These will protect your clothes from damage and make it easier to stack and transport them.
Wardrobe boxes

These boxes have a built-in hanger rod and are specifically designed for clothes that are hung up, like suits and dresses. They’re especially useful for your more expensive clothes.
Vacuum-sealed bags

These bags can be compressed, saving significant space and making them great for bulky items like jackets, blankets, and seasonal clothes.
Packing tape

For sealing boxes to prevent them from opening during the move.
Permanent markers

For labelling boxes. This helps avoid confusion when loading the moving truck and unpacking in your new home.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Declutter your closet

Before you start packing, go through your clothes and decide what to keep, donate, or discard. Moving is a great time to get rid of items you no longer wear. This will reduce the amount you need to pack and make unpacking easier once you’re in your new home.
Organize your clothes

Next, organize your clothes by type. Separate them into categories such as shirts, pants, dresses, and seasonal items. This will make it easier to pack and unpack later.
Choose the right packing materials
Now that your clothes are organized, it’s time to pack them using the right materials.
- Wardrobe Boxes - These are ideal for hanging clothes. Simply transfer your clothes on hangers directly into the box. This keeps them wrinkle-free and makes unpacking quicker.
- Vacuum-Sealed Bags - These are perfect for bulky items like jackets and blankets. They save space by compressing the air out of the bag, making it easier to pack more items into your boxes.
Pack off season clothes first

Start by packing clothes you won’t need right away, like winter coats, if you’re moving in the summer. These clothes take up most of the room, so packing them first will give you a better idea of how much space you have left for other items.

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Thinking of Moving Yourself?
Think Again!

While moving yourself may seem less expensive... the costs add up.

Do-It-Yourself Moving Costs:

Truck Rental
Mileage
Fuel Charge
Additional Insurance
Equipment Rental
(straps, rope, furniture pads, bungee cords, stretch wrap, dollies, etc.)
Time
Boxes & Packing Supplies
Possible Damages
(belongings, relationships, & injuries)
Recruiting Friends to Help
Food & Beverages
Chiropractor Visits
Packing a Truck
Learning How to Maneuver a Moving Truck
Broken Promises

Call TWO MEN AND A TRUCK

We can move as much or as little as you need while fitting your schedule & budget!

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Choose the appropriately-sized box. For heavy items, such as books, use a small box. For lighter items, like throw pillows, use a larger box.
Assemble your box. Fold down the flaps on the bottom of the box — smaller flaps should be folded down before the larger flaps. Then apply moving tape to the seam. If you’re packing something heavy, apply extra tape.
Crumple up pieces of packing paper and place them on the bottom of the box for cushioning.
If the items you’re packing are fragile, wrap them with packing paper. Use tissue paper for especially delicate items such as china.
Place each item in the moving box. Be sure to pack similar items in boxes, which makes unpacking much easier.
Pack the box as tightly as possible without overcrowding it.
Add extra packing paper to the top of your box if there’s extra room, so your items cannot move around while they travel.
Once your box is packed, secure the box with packing tape. Boxes should always be taped shut to easily stack during transport.
Label your box with its main contents and the room it belongs to.

More detailed packing tips can be found here.

Although our move teams do everything they can to prevent damages — including padding and stretch wrapping furniture and other delicate pieces, unfortunately damages can still occur.

If during your move, or following your move, you notice damage to an item, your home, or business, we ask that you contact your local TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchise office as soon as possible with information to begin the claims process. They will explain their process and next steps for working toward a resolution. Each state is regulated and have their own requirements for how damages are resolved, and our franchises work within those guidelines to ensure damages are taken care of.

To speed up the process, we ask customers to be prepared with information regarding their damaged piece. We will typically ask the make and model or manufacturer’s name of the item. In some cases, a franchise may request photos of the damage.

Keep in mind, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK does not sell insurance, but does offer additional coverage through valuation.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK has a 96% referral rate which is a reflection of our efforts to provide customers with the best possible experience and this extends into the claims process.