Whether your wardrobe is bursting at the hinges or more of a minimalist closet, it’s good to know how to pack clothes for moving. If it sounds overwhelming, don’t worry. We’ve gathered the best ways to get your clothes from point A to point B, no matter how many outfits you own.

Prepare to Pack Clothes for Moving

Before grabbing your clothes and packing them in a rush, take some time to organize. The extra prep will ensure you only pack the clothes you really want and that they’ll be unpacked in a jiffy.

Decide what you’re keeping

Avoid lugging clothes you’ll never wear again from one home to the next. Want to know how to pack clothes for moving that you’ll actually wear? Go through your wardrobe and separate your clothes into three piles. One for donating, one for clothes you’re selling, and another for those you’re storing.

Sifting through your clothes can be a struggle. Outfits you love but don’t fit anymore can be hard to part with. When deciding which clothes to take and which ones to let go of, keep in mind how good it’ll feel to have the extra space.

Donate your clothes

Donating your clothes to charity or your local church is a great way to help your community. Clothes that you haven’t worn in over a year but are still in good condition can get a new lease on life. Plus, you’ll free up space in your new closet.

Sell your clothes

Do you have expensive jeans that don’t fit? Or a designer handbag you don’t want? If you have items hiding in your closet that you’ll never wear or use again, sell them online or at specialty thrift stores.

Store excess items

For items that are too special to get rid of, like a wedding dress, don’t shove them back into the depths of your closet or back under your bed. Instead, set them aside. If you’re tight on space in your new home, put items into a storage unit for safe keeping. If storage isn’t an issue for you, pack these clothes first.

Prepare your clothes for packing

If you know how to pack clothes for moving correctly, you’ll avoid stress later on. Before packing, wash all your clothes. You can then put them in order of what to pack first. To keep things easy, pack the clothes you use the least first. Unless you know you’ll need them before moving day, start with packing cocktail attire and out of season clothes. If you’re moving in the summer, for example, you probably won’t need those scarves and coats.

Sort clothes before packing by material, type, or season

Want to know how to pack clothes for moving in the most organized way? Make unpacking easier by sorting your clothes before packing them. You’ll be able to see how much you have in each category and put your clothes away easily. We recommend dividing your clothes among these categories – material, purpose, or season.

Material of clothing

If you have a lot of wool sweaters or cashmere cardigans, you may want to keep them together. Deciding to pack your clothes by material lets you treat each fabric carefully. For example, you can protect natural fabrics from moths as you move by packing them in plastic. This strategy is especially helpful for the clothes that you’re storing. Keep them fresh and intact by packing clothes made out of the same materials all in one box.

Type of clothing

Different types of clothes have different needs. You wouldn’t pack a sundress the same way you’d pack shorts, so it’s a good idea to separate them. Use this method if you have many different types of clothes. If you’re more of a t-shirt and jeans person, separating your clothes by type may not be as useful.

Seasonal clothing

If you live in a region with fluctuating seasons, this is the best way for you to sort your clothes. Simply divide your clothes by each season, starting with the season you’re furthest from. If it’s winter now, you’ll start packing summer clothes first.

Pack Clothes for Moving by Type

You’ve pared down your closet and separated the clothes you have left. Now we can get into the nitty-gritty of how to pack clothes for moving. From hanging clothes to shoes, each item should be packed in a specific way. Here are the best ways to pack and move each category.

How to pack hanging clothes for moving

Chances are, you have a lot of hanging clothes. Between shirts, pants, and formal outfits, hanging clothes often dominate household closets. Since they tend to wrinkle easily it’s important to move them properly. You don’t want to spend a whole day ironing. These are the four most efficient ways to pack hanging clothes without adding extra creases:

1. Wardrobe boxes

The best way to pack hanging clothes is with wardrobe boxes. These rectangular boxes come with hanging rods that are ideal for moving clothes on hangers. They’re sturdy enough to hold a lot of clothes and their shape makes it easy to keep wrinkles at bay. They are often expensive, but for many, they’re worth the cost. If your budget allows, be sure to add a few wardrobe boxes to your list when deciding how many moving boxes you need.

2. Garment or trash bags

Protecting your clothes when you move is a no-brainer. Depending on their price, knowing how to pack clothes for moving with garment bags can be worth your while to protect your clothes from dirt and dust. Moving without professional movers and need to save space in your vehicle? Garment bags are easy to hang in your car and can lay on top of other boxes. If you’re on a tight budget or a time crunch, you can substitute garbage bags for garment bags.

3.  Portable hanging racks

Want to know how to move clothes on hangers? Hanging racks are the way to go. You can purchase these at large home supply stores. Given their size, hanging racks work best when you’re using a moving truck. All you have to do is move your hanging clothes from one rack to the other. You may want to protect your clothes on the rack with trash bags or sheets, just to be safe.

How to pack non-hanging clothes for moving

When it comes to learning how to pack folded clothes for moving, you’re usually dealing with a chest of drawers. The best way to pack clothes already in dresser drawers is to leave them there and tape up the drawers. This can make moving your furniture very difficult, though. Depending on your moving company (or the strength of your friends), you may have to empty the dresser.

If this is the case, you need medium-sized boxes and some packing paper. Line the box with the paper and stack your folded clothes inside. To make unpacking a cinch, use the paper to divide your clothes as they were split across your drawers. Be sure to fill empty space in the boxes with exercise clothes or towels to keep everything in place.

How to pack shoes for moving

Your shoes go through enough, so be sure to protect them during the move. Stuff each one with packing paper or socks to keep their shape. Then wrap your shoes individually with packing paper to prevent scuffing. Depending on how many shoes you have, you can pack them in small or medium-sized boxes.

To protect your shoes, pack them toe-to-heel or sole-to-sole as you go. Also, be sure to put your heaviest shoes on the bottom of the box and lighter shoes on top. This way your snow boots won’t crush your sandals.

Moving and don’t have space for that oak wardrobe? Simply schedule a furniture donation pickup and help out someone in need. If you aren’t sure where to donate your furniture, we’re here to help. From choosing an organization to scheduling a pickup, we’ve compiled the most important things to know about furniture donation pickup and deciding where to donate furniture. Get ready to feel good about purging your valuables!

The Benefits of Donating Furniture

Choosing to donate your furniture benefits both you and the environment. You can even get a little money for your contribution! So long as you keep the receipt, you can claim your furniture donation pickup or drop off on your tax return. Donating also avoids the risk of any fines associated with leaving your unwanted furniture on the curb.

As for the environment, Americans added 9.7 million tons of furniture to landfills in 2015 alone. If you’re interested in keeping your furniture out of the landfills, there’s hope! Since donating your furniture is a form of recycling, knowing where to donate your furniture is a great option. Want more to feel good about? You’re also helping someone decorate their home and the sale of your furniture can even help others overcome larger obstacles than home décor. What’s not to love?

Furniture Donation Pickup Requirements

What you can donate

The most important thing to consider when determining whether something is eligible for donation or not is its condition. Most donation centers require donated goods to be in good working condition and free of any tears, stains, cracks, or strong odors.

What you can’t donate

That said, if something is in poor shape or has been defaced by your cat, for example, it will likely be refused by the donation recipient. Some organizations also have rules and restrictions on the type of furniture they’ll accept. Goodwill, for instance, does not take mattresses or box springs. Once you’ve decided where to donate your furniture, be sure to double check their donation requirements.

Where to Donate Furniture

The Salvation Army

Wondering where to donate furniture and help a specific cause? When you donate to The Salvation Army, your furniture is sold at their Family Stores across the country. The proceeds from these stores are then used to fund The Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Centers for those struggling with addiction.

Want to know how or where to donate furniture to The Salvation Army? Their website is easy to navigate so you can find a drop off center near your home or quickly schedule a furniture donation pickup online. If you’re more of a phone person, you can also call for this information.

Habitat for Humanity ReStore

These stores resell donated furniture, building materials, appliances, and household goods. The money from these sales then helps Habitat for Humanity build comfortable, affordable homes for families across the U.S.

Considering a furniture donation pickup with Habitat for Humanity ReStore? Luckily, you can do everything online, including a search for your nearest store. Be sure to give them a call to confirm their hours since they vary from store to store. Then go ahead and schedule your free furniture donation pickup! Moving out? Be sure to call 1-2 weeks before your move date to get your donation picked up on time.

Goodwill

If you want somewhere to donate furniture that also stimulates the economy, Goodwill does an amazing job. Not only does the revenue from furniture donation pickups and drop-offs fund employment training opportunities, but it also helps support job placement services for people in communities across the United States.

With over 3.2 thousand stores in the U.S. alone, you’re bound to find a location close to home with the help of their Goodwill Locator. Once you do, give them a call to confirm whether they offer furniture donation pickups for large items or if you should pack up your things and drop them off at one of their retail stores of donation sites.

Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA)

This group advocates for veterans of the Vietnam War from every angle. Between offering vets financial advising and job placement to providing outreach programs and optimizing access to benefits, the VVA does it all. They use the furniture, clothing, and household goods from their donation pickups to provide Vietnam War veterans with the services they need.

Finding out where to donate furniture to the VVA is easy. Simply visit their website, select your state from the interactive map or by entering your zip code, and schedule a furniture donation pickup or drop off either by phone or online.

The National Furniture Bank Association of North America (FBANA)

If you’re looking for help discovering where to donate your furniture, FBANA connects your furniture donation to the furniture bank nearest you. Search for a nonprofit by location and even check out their stats. Want to know how many people they serve? FBANA has the lowdown. It’s a helpful tool for seeking our smaller, local organizations that need donations.

Since FBANA serves as a database, once you find the right furniture donation pickup or drop off center for you, FBANA will direct you to finalize your donation through the organization’s website.

Donation Town

Much like FBANA, Donation Town seeks out places for you to request a furniture donation pickup, based on your zip code. They specialize in charities and organizations that offer donation pick up services, and you can schedule it right there on the Donation Town website.

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Never utilizing movers before and hearing stories about scams or over pricing, I was a bit hesitant to pull the trigger on hiring movers. After reading through various reviews with different companies, I chose House to Home. Let me tell you that it wasn’t even a gamble. This company has set the bar really high for me with its professionalism and understanding the importance of arriving and delivering on time. I forgot the gentlemens names but I’m sure they are all very professional.  It’ll be a while before I move again, but when I do, it won’t be anything else but House to Home. Thank you guys!

Check out more recent testimonials here.

In lean times,  Sacramento consumers pinch pennies and eliminate most luxuries. From cutting back on extras to more prudent spending and budgeting, people inject a degree of caution into their financial habits. In such a volatile environment, smaller, local businesses count on your patronage in order to stay afloat; every transaction is precious to them. So when deciding where to spend your hard-earned dollars on tonight’s dinner or a gift for a friend, consider the benefits of turning to local, independently owned businesses within your community.

There are far-reaching advantages to deciding to “shop local.” By supporting local businesses, you are in turn supporting your local economy; significantly more money stays in a community when purchases are made at locally owned – rather than nationally owned – businesses. The U.S. Small Business Association and the U.S. Department of Labor report the positive impacts of small, independent business on local economies.

• Local businesses are more likely to utilize other local businesses such as banks, service providers, and farms.
• For every $100 you spend at local businesses, $68 will stay in the community.
• Independent retailers return more than three times as much money per dollar of sales to the community in which they operate than chain competitors. Independent restaurants return more than two times as much money per dollar of sales than national restaurant chains.
• Small businesses employ 77 million Americans and accounted for 65% of all new jobs over the past 17 years.

In addition to helping build the local economy, there are also notable intangible benefits that come from supporting businesses in your local community.

• Local businesses are owned and operated by your neighbors!  They care about and are invested in the well-being of your community and its future.
• Local businesses are more accountable to their local communities and donate more money to non-profits.
• Supporting local businesses is good for the environment because they often have a smaller carbon footprint than larger companies.

It isn’t always the easiest or most convenient option to visit a local independent business rather than a large national chain that might be down the street. However, there are plenty of ways you can help support your local economy in Sacramento by thinking local first:

1. Try the menu at a local restaurant for lunch or dinner
2. Purchase a birthday present at a local gift shop
3. Join a local gym
4. Visit a local nursery or hardware store for your lawn and garden needs
5. Get your car serviced at a local mechanic

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Absolutely the best moving experience EVER!!! Thank you Eric and David for your hard work and great attitudes on a very long and hot day!!!! ***** 5 stars

Check out more recent testimonials here.