Packing... rolling your clothes

[cinmell]

I've read on these boards that people roll their clothes. So I'm wondering, does this keep them from getting too wrinkled, does it take up less space? I used ziplocs for our last vacation and it worked great so I'm wondering what is better, ziplocs or rolling?

 

[mom2of2]

I rolled and then put them in the ziplocs. No wrinkles and I fit lots in the suitcases.

 

[bananiem]

I do both too.

 

[Disney Fool]

I used to be a packer, now I roll!!! I can fit soooo much more in a carry on; and yes, the clothes are less wrinkled. I'm also a light packer, so rolling suits me even better.

 

[Pink Flamingo]

We roll & ziplock! This works great for shorts & t-shirts. Not completely wrinkle free, but far fewer wrinkles than when I used to just fold everything.
I recently bought some of those travel space saver bags, so I'm thinking of rolling & then putting them in those. Anyone ever tried that?

 

[dahess]

We zip loc the kids clothes & roll the adults.

 

[gonga]

I can pack a weeks worth of vacation clothes ( 2 destinations) in 4 carry on bags for DH and myself thats including casual, beach and dress up clothes for the evening. It takes me an entire day and careful shopping, but I do it! When travelling to 2 seperate destinations, your luggage has a much greater chance of getting lost, so when we split our trip, I always carry on luggage only. I shop for favortie travel sized products, and I put other products in small plastic bottles that you find in CVS. Whenever I see a pretty clothes that are wrinkle proof - I buy it. My husband is very tall and his clothes and shoes are a pain to pack. I also use spacesaver bags from samsonite for shirts and bathingsuits - it does save lots of room. and I swear by Downey Wrinkle releaser spray. It really really works without ironing. just spray the clothes while on a hanger and flatten with your hand and tug a little whne you come out of your shower the clothes look great!

I never tried rolling though, it really works??

 

[perpetualplanner]

I just tried the ziploc thing and I was amazed at how much stuff I fit in one suitcase. Now I just have to weigh it cause I can't believe I fit everything in. I was worried when looking at the piles that needed to fit, DH only wants 2 suitcases for 2 adults and 2 boys for 9 days. We're going to do laundry but it's still a lot of clothes. All of my stuff and the boys fit in one suitcase, so my tall DH gets the carryon one. He fills it up because his clothes are soo much bigger than ours.

Thanks everyone for the advice I never would have thought of it. AND it was kind of fun sitting on the bags and squeezing the air out - or maybe I'm just really bored.

 

[Tink03477]

This is to mom2of2, you mentioned that you rolled and used ziploc. Why would both be necessary? Is the ziploc what keeps the clothes from getting wrinkled? It must take a lot of ziploc bags too doesn't it? The gallon size I'm guessing? I did roll my clothes once and I didn't notice any major difference from folding. Maybe I'm doing it wrong since you all seem to like it so much better? How was your trip to CBR in March? My son and I are going in 21 days!!!
Thank you!!!
Kim

 

[Queenofthecastle]

Ziplocking your clothes? I'm new to this, can someone please explain?

TIA!

Q

 

[Poohbear123]

Queenofthecastle: You have to buy the 2 Gal Ziplock bags from either Walmart or Target. I fold my clothes nice and neat and place them in the bag. I than "Squeeze" the excess Air out, and Zip it UP! I can fit 2 shorts and 2 shirts in one bag, and it lays flat inside the suitcase. I have LOTS of rrom for the toiletries and shoes.

 

[Queenofthecastle]

Ohhhhhhh I think I get it Poohbear123....sort of like vacuum packing your clothes! But what's this about rolling *and* ziplocking? I can just see it now...I'll be ziplocking all my clothes when I start packing, and DBF will walk in and wonder if I've lost my mind. Then I'll tell him I learned it from the DIS and his eyes will start rolling LOL!

Thanks!

Q

 

[Pink Flamingo]

But what's this about rolling *and* ziplocking?

I roll the clothes to keep the clothes relatively wrinkle free, then ziplock to compress out as much air as possible in order to save a little more space. Does that make sense?

I tried this for the first time on our last trip & was surprised at what a difference it made. When re-packing to go home , I tried just folding because I didn't really care about the wrinkles at that point, but I ended up having to roll & zip because the stuff wouldn't all fit in the suitcase without doing it that way!

 

[gonga]

How do you fit your clothes into a ziplock bag...........do you mean the space sver bags???

I use ziplock bags for lots of things when packing, cosmetics, shampoo, suntan products etc..I don't see how clothes will fir though!

 

[off2disney]

Not only does the zip locks make it easier to pack, if your luggage has to be opened for inspection, it makes it much easier for the inspectors to go through your things. I've seen several posts where they commented that the isnpectors mentioned that it made their job easier....(not to mention having someone having their hands all over your things!)

I use the 2 gal. ones. I'm a plus size and it will hold a pair of jeans, a shirt, sox and undies all together. Plus tolitries are enclosed in case they leak.

 

[maninthebox]

Yes, you can fit a lot more in your bag when you roll and ziplock. I started doing it when I was in the military because the fewer bags that I had to carry the better.
Space-saving is not the only reason that the zip-locks are helpful though. They also protect your clothes in the event that something in your bag leaks (toothpaste, shampoo, etc.) or the luggage somehow gets wet.

 

[aricau]

This is a great idea! My family (4 of us) are getting ready to go on a cruise and then to WDW. Since I will be packing for 4 people this will be a great space saver. We're driving down to Port Canaveral and we certainly won't have much room to spare in the car. Thanks for such a good idea!

 

[Tink03477]

This is a great idea! Thanks so much I'm going to roll and zip when I go on my trip......in 19 days! Yahoo! Gosh, I can't wait! Maybe I'll be able to save lots more space for more Disney to bring home
Thanks again! I'll let you all know how it worked out.

 

[kidslovedisney]

I understand the rolling, but why the ziplock bags?

 

[bananiem]

The ziploc bag allows you to squeeze the excess air out, making it smaller or flatter. It truly does save space.
I also like the ziplocs because I can just throw a bag at each kid in the morning and tell them to put on everything in it. Socks, clothes, undies, hair bows, etc. is right there and you don't have to search through the suitcase to find that "other scok" or whatever.
At first I was skeptical too, but now I'm a firm believer!