Hmmm…is there really a secret to packing clothing?  Yes!  And they can save you lots of space and money.

How to pack your clothing is probably one of the last things you’re concerned with during your pre-move planning.  Most of us would just put them all in boxes or trash bags and be done with it.  That’s what I did when I moved.  However, if I ever move again I have new strategies that I am certain will save me time and money.  Try the following tips:

• Don’t empty your dresser.  Put tape on all of the drawers to keep them secure during the move. It would probably take at least two or maybe three large boxes to move the contents of a 4-drawer dresser (if they are packed full like mine are).  By keeping the contents in the dresser you have saved two boxes and a lot of space. Especially if you are moving from a standard three bedroom home that has at least one dresser in each bedroom.  You’ve saved six boxes and an equal amount of space.
  
• Most of your clothing can be used as ballast to fill boxes. Use the ‘extra’ clothing you have lying around to fill the gaps in your wardrobe boxes. Even the sock that has become separated from its pair could come in handy. 
  
• Maybe you have some suits or nice sweaters that you prefer to keep hanging during your move. Wardrobe boxes work great for this because they’ll allow your clothes to keep their shape during your move. Of course you wouldn’t want to put your workout t-shirt in a wardrobe box but your husband’s Sunday suit would be a perfect fit.
  
• Ladies:  Does your husband have a shirt that makes you cringe when he puts them on?  Now is a great time for that shirt to simply disappear!  I did this when we moved. My husband had about five shirts that looked liked they came straight from the 60’s and I couldn’t stand it when he wore them.  I bagged them all up and put them in my yard sale. Believe it or not, his mom came to the yard sale, bought all those shirts and gave them back to my husband.  So if you do this, don’t’ invite your mother-in-law to your yard sale. 
  
• A good little tip is if you have a local Mission in your area, they would gladly take your clothing and give you a tax receipt.   So it is a win, win situation for everyone (except for your husband).

Putting your clothes in garbage sacks might seem to be a good idea but it could turn out to be very problematic.  Garbage bags tear easily and offer little to no protection against damage.  Save the trash bags for all the clothes that you no longer wear and donate them before you leave town.