How to Pack Clothes When Moving House

Clothes take up more of a move than most people expect, and the method you choose makes a real difference to how long packing takes and how much unpacking is left at the other end. Different items suit different approaches, so here is what actually works for each type of clothing.

Hanging Clothes: Use a Wardrobe Box or Bin Bag Method

For suits, dresses, and anything you would rather not fold, a wardrobe box is the easiest option. It has a rail built in, so clothes go straight from your wardrobe onto the rail and stay on their hangers the whole way through the move. If you do not want to buy one, a simple trick does almost the same job for free: gather a small bundle of hanging clothes together, keep them on their hangers, and pull a bin bag up over them from the bottom, tying the hooks together at the top through a hole cut in the bag.

Folded Clothes: Keep Them in the Drawers

If your chest of drawers or dresser is being moved as a unit, there is often no need to empty the drawers at all. Simply remove the drawers, wrap them in cling film or a blanket to keep the contents in place, and load the empty unit and its drawers separately. This saves a significant amount of packing and unpacking time.

Everyday Clothes: Suitcases and Holdalls

Use any suitcases, holdalls, or gym bags you already own before buying more boxes. They are sturdy, easy to carry, and mean one less thing to find storage for afterwards. Pack these with the clothes you will need in the first few days, so they double as your essentials bag at the new house.

Bulky Items: Vacuum Storage Bags

Duvets, coats, jumpers, and other bulky items compress well into vacuum storage bags, reducing their size by around two thirds. This is particularly useful if you are short on van space or dealing with a lot of seasonal clothing that does not need to be accessed straight away.

Shoes: Keep Pairs Together and Protect Good Ones

Stuff shoes with paper to help them keep their shape, and wrap anything expensive or delicate individually. Keep pairs together with an elastic band or by tying laces together, and pack shoes sole to sole so dirt on the bottom does not transfer onto other pairs.

What to Avoid

Do not overfill boxes of clothes just because they feel light. Boxes packed too full become difficult to close properly and are more likely to split. Avoid bin bags for anything you are not prepared to lose track of, since loose bags are easy to misplace or accidentally leave behind during a busy move.

For more advice on tackling the rest of the house, see our full packing tips guide or check out our professional packing service if you would rather leave it to us.