any suggestions on cutting back on the clothes packed?

[goodstarr]

Packmates are air-tight bags that you pack with clothes, pillows, etc. Once you stuff them full, you zip it and "squeeze" out all the air. This literally flattens it about 2/3. They seal in moisture and odor. There are lots of infomercials on them and they really do work. Once you zip them, some people roll them to get out "extra" air, which really flattens them to a pulp. They come in different sizes (small up to jumbo-big enough for comforters), People also use them to store away stuff at home (like off-season clothes and bedding). It really allows you to store more stuff and take up less space. (I ought to know-my husband was a product specialist host on QVC and sold them-so we had plenty to try out) They worked great for my sand-filled/wet water shoes and bathing suits.

 

[Dodie]

The shoe thing is key. There is no way that you will honestly need more than one pair of dress shoes, one pair of casual sandals/thongs/beach shoes, and one pair of tennis shoes.

Then, you just need to accept that, no matter what you pack, you will spend a LOT of your day in either a swimsuit with shorts/cover-up or shorts and a t-shirt. You can certainly wear your shorts more than once.

 

[lsmac]

Goodstarr: Thank you for the info on the packmates, they sound pretty cool.

Lisa

 

[hilltopfamily]

My post back on page 2 wasn't very clear. I stated the best idea I had gotten was to use the zip lock baggies. What I forgot to explain was that I meant you can use them as you do the commercially sold packing/luggage bags. I priced the packing bags at Bed, Bath, & Beyond here in Nebraska and couldn't afford enough of them for our family of 5! (something like $15-20 for 4 bags). I did find the 2.5 gallon ziplocks at about $3 for a box of 12 or 15. You can store quite a few items in each bag, close the lock to about 1" of the end, then squeeze all the air out and finish closing. It really does compress them to about 1/3 of their original size---really unbelievable! I worried that the clothes would come out all wrinkled so I brought the Downey Wrinkle Remover just in case--never used it once. Clothes came out fine. (of course I didn't put any of our nice dresses, dress shirts, etc. in them, these were on hangers in the garment bag).

 

[AnnMorin]

Just so I understand (before I look for those big baggies today) you wold put like socks/undies in one bag, tshirts in another and then roll it to get the air out or compress it somehow? That seem so much more sanitary if your luggage has to be searched too. Somehow the thought of and airline employee pawing through my undies is not too appealing. (yes I do understand that searching baggage is very important and have not issues with them searching mine-just wondering where his/her hands have been )

 

[SweetSpot]

I use the 2 gallon bags too and it was the best tip I ever got off this board. For the kids I iron a pair of shorts and shirt and pack them in the bag with a pair of underwear and socks. One days supply of clothes, perfectly matched, in each bag. I unpack the bags from the suitcase right onto the shelves and they are able to get dressed everyday without doing the "Mom does this match" or "Mom where are my socks". I was surprised that everything travelled so well. Nothing wrinkled at all. The empty bags can be reused every year and they also come in handy for various things while on the ship.

 

[Verandah Man]

Originally posted by AnnMorin
Just so I understand (before I look for those big baggies today) you wold put like socks/undies in one bag, tshirts in another and then roll it to get the air out or compress it somehow? That seem so much more sanitary if your luggage has to be searched too. Somehow the thought of and airline employee pawing through my undies is not too appealing. (yes I do understand that searching baggage is very important and have not issues with them searching mine-just wondering where his/her hands have been )

That's what we did on our cruise in August, my DW is glad she did this as well b/c our suitcases were opened and searched at the airports, all our undies were in plastic bags, as were our socks. I think my DW use the large zip lock bags as well. They also came in handy for wet clothes on our trip home.

 

[AnnMorin]

what a great idea I will have to look for the big bags, the largest I have noticed at the grocery store were the gallon size but then again I was not looking for bigger at the time.

 

[SweetSpot]

They aren't the easiest thing to find. I'm in NJ and the only place I was able to find them was at ShopRite, their store brand. I'm not sure if the major brands make that size so make sure you check the store brands.

 

[CRB#33]

Target has had the two gallon Zip-lock bags every time I've gone there. They're in a pink and blue box.

 

[Dreamer04]

Originally posted by SweetSpot
I use the 2 gallon bags too and it was the best tip I ever got off this board. For the kids I iron a pair of shorts and shirt and pack them in the bag with a pair of underwear and socks. One days supply of clothes, perfectly matched, in each bag. I unpack the bags from the suitcase right onto the shelves and they are able to get dressed everyday without doing the "Mom does this match" or "Mom where are my socks". I was surprised that everything travelled so well. Nothing wrinkled at all. The empty bags can be reused every year and they also come in handy for various things while on the ship.

This is a great idea!! Thanks!

 

[hydster]

Another thing we have done before we got the pop up sorting hamper is to make sure we left the bag on the dresser that the clothes came out of. Then at night when we were getting undressed we (the kids wouldnt because they were wiped) but hubby and I would re-pack the same plastic bags (unless the clothes were wet) with the dirty clothes and chuck them back into the suitcase. Then repacking the last night didnt take any time at all because it was all ready in the suitcase air sucked out of the baggie and ready to just put the clothes we were wearing along with the toiletries we wouldnt need for the next morning and it didnt take all night for us to get repacked to get home. I think it took us about 20 min to get everything done and outside our cabin door and that was with all 5 of us in the room! The baggies are SO great and it was SO nice to not have to listen to the kids whine they couldnt find socks that matched their shorts or they couldnt find any underwear...it was all there labeled with their names on it! It really cut down on the stress!

Heidi

 

[ppiew]

Walmart also carries the 2 gal. bags. They also have sets (2 sml and 2 lg) of the regular 'packing' bags, but they are about $14.00
Both work GREAT!

 

[CRB#33]

Originally posted by hydster
Another thing we have done before we got the pop up sorting hamper is to make sure we left the bag on the dresser that the clothes came out of. Then at night when we were getting undressed we (the kids wouldnt because they were wiped) but hubby and I would re-pack the same plastic bags (unless the clothes were wet) with the dirty clothes and chuck them back into the suitcase.

That's a fantastic idea! Makes a lot of sense! I wasted so much time on the last night of our trip.

Another tip: remember to take extra bags. I know a few of mine ripped and wouldn't hold air anymore.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by CRB#33
Another tip: remember to take extra bags. I know a few of mine ripped and wouldn't hold air anymore.

Good point! That happened to us, too. I always remember to bring extras now...accidents are inevitable.

 

[hydster]

And one other tip

Make sure if you have wet things towards the front of your trip make sure you dont put them in baggies until they are either dry or you are getting ready to pack for the night to go home since they WILL stink you out of your room and when you open them at home they will make you gag and some will be moldy and need to be thrown away.

My inlaws did that on our last cruise with them and the smell was disgusting in their room....I couldnt even go in it it made me SO sick!!!!

For some this kind of thinking is natural for others (like my inlaws) they have to be told not to do it!!!

Heidi

 

[nuke]

I have gotten some great suggestions from this thread! Thanks everyone.

 

[Tesabat]

I would re-pack the same plastic bags (unless the clothes were wet) with the dirty clothes and chuck them back into the suitcase. Then repacking the last night didnt take any time at all

That is a great idea! I usually throw the bags in the suitcase to re-use them...never even thought to do this! THANKS!!

 

[hydster]

I think that was one of the greatest tips I ever received was to repack the baggies at the end of the day....it made my life SO much easier! The 2nd best tip was to even use them in the first place! I couldnt believe how nice it was to not have to listen to my 7 year old cry because he couldnt find his blue socks! LOL

I am just glad to help out like others helped me!!

Heidi

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

Hey CRB#33.

Target has had the two gallon Zip-lock bags every time I've gone there. They're in a pink and blue box.

Be careful. I inadvertently grabbed the blue-and-pink box which was right next to the pink-and-blue box. Ended up with no ziplock bags and far too many 2-gallon condoms...