Packing a suitcase can be the least exciting activity, and that’s why it’s the last thing most people do before a trip. Arranging your load and items in boxes can be pretty tiring. So, this article aims at helping you know how to pack a suitcase in the most detailed way possible. With this excellent guide, you won’t forget the essential needs or take too many irrelevant pieces.
Also, at the end of this article, you will find out how to pack a suitcase in a fun way, minimize packing unnecessary things and become the best “packer” in the family. Below are a few steps on how to pack a suitcase.
6 Best Steps on How to Pack A Suitcase
These steps on how to pack a suitcase will teach you everything about packing efficiently and limiting unnecessary luggage. At the end of this excellent step to step guide, you’ll realize what you are doing wrong or right and, most importantly, what to do better.
1. Find the Perfect Box
The first symbolic rule in packing a suitcase is; the more extensive the box, the more stuff you carry. If you have a little load, you should pick up a smaller, more subtle suitcase for the trip. Again, this solely depends on how long you are staying and your reason for the journey.
If it’s for a short trip, you can get a small box or backpack to pack your clothes; this way, you don’t fill any extra pieces of clothing or anything.
In case you’re looking for the perfect box; you can shop for beautiful travel boxes on Amazon
2. Use the Clothing Mantra
If you didn’t know about the clothing mantra, you will. It means six underwear, 5 Pairs of socks, 4 Tops, 3 Bottoms, 2 Pairs of Shoes, and 1 Cap. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. The clothing mantras are tips for packing for a weeklong trip and can be adjusted to the length of your trip.
You can also add a swimming truck, rainwear, or other specific items. Also, you might not need any of these and can rent them at your destination. Remember, the less, the better to avoid attracting overload charges.
However, you can adjust according to the duration of your trip, but this guide will positively change your packing experience. A simple step that most people miss, and that’s why it’s enlisted as one of the steps to packing a suitcase.
3. Pick Out What You Need for The Trip
From the above mantra, you should know what you need. The first step to successfully packing for a trip is selecting everything you need, including clothes, shoes, electronics, etc. So, carefully pick out all these and lay them on the bed.
When you have achieved this, remove all the “what if’s” items from the selection and return them if they won’t needed. Moreover, most of the time, these items don’t come in handy and end up being an extra load. You can also make a packing list and cut it down to only your needs. After you’ve done this, you can go to the next step.
4. Crosscheck Your Items
Another essential step in how to pack a suitcase is; cross-checking. After selecting your items, you must be sure you have everything you need. Once you’re done, ensure you have more than one item that serves double duty; your luggage will weigh less and occupy less space.
A few examples of some of these items are:
- Bandana: Can be used as a neck warmer, headpiece, and coverage from the sun
- Sarong: Can switch from being a towel and a skirt
- Convertible Pants: These might not be your first go-to clothing, but they are very effective; you can switch them to your comfort. You can try roll-ups, too; they serve the same purpose.
- Shorts: Nightwear outings, swimming, etc.
Pack versatile clothes when going on trips, so get two delicate pieces instead of oversized sweaters. In colder regions, you can use a light, packable jacket; this way, you aren’t limited to one cloth choice and can use them with another clothing choice. Smart, right?
5. Fill Every Inch of Your Bag
One of the tips on packing a suitcase for a trip is to fill every inch of your traveling bag. This way, you can fit your needs into a tiny suitcase rather than getting an extra bag, which will add to unnecessary baggage.
Going further, arranging your belongings into your bag is based on preference but for context. You can use this guide:
- Roll your clothes: This method is less space-consuming and prevents wrinkles. It is an excellent option if you want to achieve the above.
- Put your items in a small clear bag: Your shoes, clothes, toothpaste, etc. Have separate clear bags to store all these different needs.
6. Your Toiletries Should Be at The Top
Here is another essential thing to note when considering how to pack a suitcase. Your toiletries should be at the top of your bag in emergencies or when you’re being searched. It is also advisable to never unpack your toiletries so you don’t forget essentials like toothbrushes or skin products you might use before your flight. These extra bags help you avoid casualties and is advisable for people who travel a lot.
10 Things to Avoid When Packing A Suitcase
From the above list on how to pack a suitcase, there are many dos and don’ts on what to add. This list here will enlighten you further on what you should avoid when packing a bag.
1. Multiple Pair of Jeans
For various reasons, the first thing to avoid during travel is multiple pairs of jeans. They are heavy, take up space, and take time to dry. So, if you’ll be washing on the road, this can cause problems for you. Why not go for the many lighter options like leggings, etc., that you can easily clean and pair with other fits?
If you aren’t the leggings kind of person, you can try taking not more than two pairs of jeans and lighter trousers that won’t take up space and dry quickly. This way, you don’t have to worry about taking wet laundry with you or excess luggage. So, it is one of the things to avoid when learning how to pack a suitcase.
2. Shoes You’ve Never Worn
Getting new shoes for a trip isn’t mainly new to many people. However, it is one of the things you should avoid when packing your bag in the future. If you want to know how to pack a suitcase, one of the many essential tasks is testing your shoe before traveling with it.
It can be unpleasant to find out that the shoes don’t fit appropriately after making an order and packing them into your box. As little as the incident may seem, it might ruin your mood and trip, especially if you had planned it to the last detail.
Thus, to avoid this, test all shoes before you pack them, take them out of their boxes, and ensure to put them in bags. This way, you minimize your luggage and enjoy your trip blister-free.
3. High Heels
A pair of flats or sneakers are always a great option. Most of the time, you don’t use them; they take up space. This option might not be your favorite if you’re a high heels person, but unless you go for a fancy dinner or red-carpet moment, you might not need those heels.
They are versatile and can fit on multiple occasions, which is one of the things you should avoid on the list of how to pack a suitcase.
4. Expensive Jewelry or Electronic Devices
Taking expensive jewelry or devices to every place you visit can cause many problems later, especially if you misplace them. First, it’s not your regular base and might be vaguely unfamiliar. So, losing something valuable there can mean it’s lost forever. A simple way to avoid this kind of scenario is not to bring these items.
If you’re keen on taking jewelry, take smaller ones that won’t make a difference if they get lost. To avoid missing them in general, get a small bag to keep them in. It’s a crucial step in how to pack a suitcase.
For the electronics, take only the necessary items. If you can use your phone and tablet to do all you need, then take just that. You can drop your laptop at home if you go to a place with the one you can use.
5. Workout Gear
Most times, the hotel or place you visit has a friendly gym or running path, and you want to explore. You could always rent gear or buy new clothes in your new city. But most importantly, if you don’t work out regularly, you don’t need workout gear.
On our list of how to pack a suitcase, rule number three states you should pick out only what you need. And if you aren’t a gym person, you most definitely don’t need gear. But if you still want to go for it, they are always renting options.
On the other hand, if you are a gym person, then you can go right ahead. You can also avoid the extra luggage by renting workout gear over at your travel destination; that way, you cut down on paying for excess baggage.
6. “Just In case,” gear
Most unnecessary luggage is from the “Just in case” line. Most of the time, you assume you need these clothes or things and end up stuffing your suitcase with what you don’t need. That’s why a packing list is suggested on how to pack a bag, and a thorough cross-check of everything you read. This way, you can avoid bringing unnecessary things on your trips.
7. Laundry Line
In all honesty, you don’t need a laundry line. If you have taken one before, you’ll notice it’s optional. Most hotels have their laundry line in the bathrooms. You can often hang your light washing on a rail in the bathroom and have them dry in the morning.
If you’re uncomfortable with any of this, there is always a local laundromat option or the hotel you stay in laundry’s service. All of these items serve a better purpose than the laundry line.
8. A lot of hairstyling tools
This option may differ from your favorite if you are passionate about your hair styling tools. But traveling with a lot of hair styling tools increases luggage and takes up a lot of space. Not to mention that the voltage of these items might exceed the normal ones in other countries. Most times, you could blow a fuse because of the high voltage.
Most of the other times, you might use something other than the items you have brought, which would be extra luggage. To avoid this, pack smaller curlers or hair dryers and whatever you need for the trip. Things you can do without for the cause of the journey can stay home.
9. Lots of Cash
Most of the world runs on credit cards now, so you don’t need to take a lot of cash everywhere. To avoid getting robbed or lost, take your credit card and avoid carrying an extra bag full of money. It’s an essential step you wouldn’t want to miss.
10. A Different Outfit for Everyday
Going back to the list of how to pack a suitcase, there’s a clothing mantra for a week. You can use that as a guide when filling to avoid situations like this when you load a different outfit daily.
You can switch between versatile clothes and look stunning in all of them. You don’t need to fill seven other companies for a week; it takes up too much space and will most likely be useless.
Avoid this by getting versatile clothes, using the clothing mantras, and packing light, washable wear. That’s it.
4 Effective Tips on How To Pack A Suitcase
Tips on effectively packing a suitcase are essential information that will help enhance your packing skills and make your luggage lighter and more efficient. This article has steps on how to pack a suitcase and what to avoid when packing for a trip. Below are a few tips on how to effectively pack a suitcase.
1. Choose Light, Quick Drying Clothes
When traveling, it’s essential to note that light-drying clothes are the best, so when packing, go for wool or synthetic clothing that can be washed and dried easily and quickly. If you travel a lot, you can invest in getting light clothes for travel purposes only.
Light wears help you remain versatile. You can pair your tops with another skirt or shorts. You get to change style because you can get your clothes dried in a couple of hours.
2. Pick Neutral Colors
Picking neutral colors while packing will make pairing clothes very easy for you; black and darker colors are a fantastic option when traveling; you can pair them with lighter colors and have a unique look or outfit. Darker colors look cleaner and more sophisticated than other colors. So, for your next trip, dark colors are a must-have.
3. Leave Some Toiletries at Home
Everything is buyable or in your hotel room. You only need some of your toiletries. When going for a trip, level it down to essentials you can go without, toothpaste, toothbrush, skin care cream, etc. You can also transfer some large creams and ointments to smaller containers, save space and reduce the bag’s weight.
4. Use Packing Organizers
Finally, packing organizers are an excellent option for a newbie who wants to pack a suitcase. It would be best if you had them differentiate and use your suitcase space better this way. You can have a section for clothes, body care, toiletries, etc. It’s a fantastic way to pack and is super affordable for anyone interested in using them.
Time to Pack That Suitcase!
Packing clothes can be effortless and active. So, next time you pack for a trip, try using these easy ways, and you’ll have everything you need at your fingertips. With these steps, tips, and a list of things to avoid, you’ll be glad you cut down on those other wants and focus on your needs and the possibility of renting and versatility.
Check out our guide on How to plan a trip to make sure you got all the necessary details covered. Remember to comment on your thoughts about the article and let us know what we can do better.
