There’s two types of people in the world: those who pack their suitcases a month before departure, and those who pack their suitcases the morning of. But no matter which type you are, you know that packing a suitcase is an absolute pain. Luckily, there’s a few packing hacks you can follow to make the lead up to your vacation as stress-free as the vacation itself.
1. Use pill compartments for jewelry and small valuables
There’s nothing worse than digging through your suitcase for tangled necklaces and rings or cuff links. Keep your valuables organized by using pill compartments and containers that you can find cheap at convenience stores or online.
2. Don’t fold your clothes
Some of the best packing hacks are a bit counterintuitive. Don’t fold your clothes? Won’t that make for a messy suitcase? But the trick is to roll them, not fold them. By rolling your clothes like a burrito, you can save a ton of space in your suitcase. Plus, if you have a lot of look-alike clothing, rolling your clothes makes it easy to see which shirt design you’re picking at-a-glance.
3. Pack a lot of tops and a few bottoms
Bottoms, such as pants and skirts, have more wear than shirts do. Bottoms are also usually heavier and bulkier than tops, so minimizing the amount you bring will leave extra room for toiletries and shoes. Keep a ratio of about 3 shirts per bottom for the best space-saving measures.
4. Pack a laundry bag
Unfortunately, one of the most forgotten items is the laundry bag. But, it’s one of the easiest things to pack, and it barely takes up space. Fold it neatly, or pack special clothes inside of it to protect them. If you don’t have a special laundry bag, a shopping bag works just as well. Even if you don’t plan on doing laundry during your trip, you’ll be happy to have a bag to separate smelly clothes from clean ones.
Packing hacks don’t have to be difficult to be useful. Follow these four tips, and packing will be stress-free. Plus, you won’t have to sit on your suitcase to zip it.