Organizing your suitcase for optimal efficiency can make a world of difference while traveling. With these luggage hacks, you’ll find yourself traversing the globe without wreaking havoc on your wardrobe!
#1: Don’t Fold, Roll
This may seem quirky, but folding your clothes and shoving them in a suitcase can leave them with awful creases, not to mention you can only see the top layer once it’s opened in the hotel! Instead of folding, roll your clothes up. Fold shirts, jeans, and other casual items in half and start at the bottom. Roll them up and place them side by side along the bottom of your suitcase. You’ll be able to quickly view and assess what’s available without destroying all the hard work you put into packing. For nicer items that tend to wrinkle more, lay them flat and roll them up, so you don’t have unseemly lines. If your clothes still wrinkle, a quick steam in the hotel shower will have them looking as good as new!
#2: Toiletry Bags Are a Must
It’s easy to throw your shampoo and conditioner in a side pocket or on top of your clothes, but having them in a separate bag will ensure that a busted bottle ruins your entire suitcase full of clothing. Many travelers have opened their suitcases after a flight and have been devastated by the soapy suds on their favorite digs. Choosing a hanging bag will also make it easier to get your toiletries and hang them in the bathroom quickly. Organization is a top priority, so you don’t leave your favorite brush behind!
#3: Packing Shoes Is Awkward
If you’ve recently worn the shoes you’re packing, you don’t want to lay them down on your clean clothes. Designate a corner of your suitcase and put the shoes in, soles down. You’ll be able to place other items on top without any issues. For fancy shoes with spiked heels, place them near your underwear so that the gap between the heel and sole doesn’t remain empty. If you’re packing hiking boots or something of that sort, place your socks inside. That’s several cubic inches of prime suitcase realty that you don’t want to waste!
#4: Bulky Items Go On Top
If you’re traveling in winter or head to a cold destination, you’ll be taking extra jackets, sweaters, and sweatshirts. You’ll want them easily accessible, so place them on top of everything else in layers. Don’t fold them more than necessary, or they’ll take up too much room. These are also items that you can easily lay on an available surface in your hotel room without making a mess, and they’re large enough you won’t forget them when you leave.
Above all else, only pack what you’ll need and use. Extra clothing is a good idea, but multiple outfits changes a day aren’t required in most circumstances. Also, if you re-wear your jeans at home, you probably will on your trip, so don’t feel as if you need a pair for every day. Swap the shirt and no one will ever know! Happy traveling!
