Packing tips: How do you fit all your stuff in your luggage?

[DannyDisneyFreak]

I didn't know where to ask this question so mods please move it if not appropriate. Anyone have any good packing tips, I'm not to good at folding techniques and space saving? And I always am worse on the way home with dirty clothes all shoved in. I'm thinking maybe actual using the drawers in the room and then neatly packing dirty clothes, any other suggestions?

 

[soccer mom]

We lay our pants and shirts in the suitcase and then shove/stuff socks, underwear, bathing suits, pjs, plastic bags with toiletries, flipflops around the edges to fill in the small spaces. Polos/tops are folded in half widthway, folding sleeves across front. A lot less wrinkles than folding in half lengthways. Also, we always unpack, using drawers and hanging up everything we can. We then set a suit case on end in a closet leaving the end unzipped and use it as a hamper. If/when it is full we just change it out with the next one. No need to fold dirty clothes. Just keep stuffing until the suitcase is full!

 

[railwife]

I use eagle creek packing cubes. Roll you clothes instead of folding.

 

[railwife]

Oh! I also bring drawstring laundry bags. At the end of the trip all the clothes are in there... Just lay it in your bag. Great for when you go home and need to wash them.

 

[wiigirl]

I have started using those vacume bags....they are awesome.

 

[s87dew]

I bought compression packing bags from Walmart for my upcoming trip. You fill the bag and roll the end so that the air escapes.

 

[rwdavis2]

First off I allocate one set of clothes per day +1 more. I fold the shirts or pants to a point then roll them up. I only take 2 pairs of shoes, wearing one while traveling. The other pair gets filled with sox. I can pack for 5 days in one carry on and a back pack(goes under the seat) with a little room to spare. I wear a coat on the plane or use it as a pillow or arm rest. The key is to not over pack. You then fill in the holes with sox/underwear and things that don't matter if they get squished.

If for whatever reason I might have to laundry at the destination then I'll do it.

 

[pepe of ohio]

I bought compression packing bags from Walmart for my upcoming trip. You fill the bag and roll the end so that the air escapes.

Been using these for years...I fill and press against the side of the bed to purge the air out....

After loading suitcase you scratch your head wondering why you have so much room left... So easy to overpack ....excess weight....these don't require a vacuum....

I can easily pack for 9 nights, do no laundry in a rolling duffle bag suitcase...

 

[Princess Katherine]

I roll my clothes and pack them really tightly into ziplock bags. Works nicely!

Katie

 

[red712371]

I buy giant ziplock bags at the dollar store. I have also bought the more expensive Ziplock brand at target. I put my clothes in there and squeeze out the air and then pack the ziplock bags. Seems like I can fit more in the suitcase like that and it makes unpacking and bag searches a breeze. Makes it super easy to find things, too.

 

[ocalla]

Been using these for years...I fill and press against the side of the bed to purge the air out....

After loading suitcase you scratch your head wondering why you have so much room left... So easy to overpack ....excess weight....these don't require a vacuum....

I can easily pack for 9 nights, do no laundry in a rolling duffle bag suitcase...

Just curious about these and the wrinkle effect on clothes? Is it bad? I would love to give these a try!!!

 

[fisherjenn]

I've taken space bags in the past and they do help free up some space. And I have folded my clothes so they are super small and compact when I pack them (haha that's the best way I can describe it).

 

[mousefan73]

I recently used those vaccum space bags. awesome! Really scary to see how condense stuff can get. I used them for two king size pillows ( we dont h ave thosesize were i live) and not even half of the suitcase bottom was filled. It was an extra large suitcase, but before it was over half.

Just keep in mind. Nby condensing, you will add more as you have space. Remeber airlines go also by weight. I knownfor myself, I couldnget in trouble here.

My tip, roll, use these or pack less and do laundry. We wash midtrip while swimming. IMO I'd leave half a suticase empty for shopping.

Btw. I checked and most resorts have mousekeepimg using vacs with a tube attachment. So i plan on hunting one down. Or i can sit on the bag

 

[Bellestreak]

Another vote for compression bags. We have Eagle Creek ones and love them. We don't have wrinkle problems, but I always fully unpack as soon as I get there.
Just like other posters said, watch the weight though.
We always take enough clothes for the whole trip (that's 2 outfits a day for my 5 year old Messy Pants Kiddo), but this time I plan to take half and do laundry. Of course, I'm taking the same amount of luggage, should have plenty of room for....other things

 

[plumsiren]

Oh goodness, I haven't had to pack a suitcase to go on a plane in 6 years! Usually we drive to our destinations, and it's gotten so easy to say, hey, I have an SUV! I can just pack another bag. I think I'm gonna be in trouble!

 

[ArwenMarie]

2.5 Gallon Ziplocs! You can press the air out of them so they are pretty flat. They really help get more in the suitcase, and then you have them all to put stuff in while you are there, wet stuff, etc. And they are cheap.

 

[monorailsilver]

We are a family of 5. We just went for 10 days.

I don't bring much. We each had 5 outfits and 2 shoes, so e water shoes and something to wear to the pool-cover up/tshirt.

And laundry detergent and dryer sheets.

I roll everything as well. My son was able to mix and match but my girls outfits were more or less that shirt goes with those shorts.

I did laundry just about every day and best part was I didn't have a ton to put away when we got home.

 

[Radiorox]

Another vaccume space bagger here! LOVE them.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

I roll my clothes too and always unpack and put things into the drawers. Rolling leaves less wrinkles in clothes and seems to saves space. I take plastic bags like large storage ziplocs to put dirty clothes in along the way.

I also make sure to always pack at least two days of clothing into a carryon. Delta lost my moms luggage one trip and it was never found. Try spending a week in Disney with ONE OUTFIT and a pair of flip flops!! She bought a few teeshirts and hand washed the rest each night.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Oh goodness, I haven't had to pack a suitcase to go on a plane in 6 years! Usually we drive to our destinations, and it's gotten so easy to say, hey, I have an SUV! I can just pack another bag. I think I'm gonna be in trouble!

Driving has a lot of plusses to it (we're from NJ too)...I used to just throw all my stuff into these giant totes and go.