Moving is a significant life event, and ensuring your belongings arrive safely and in good condition is paramount. When it comes to your wardrobe, the thought of wrinkled or damaged clothing can add unnecessary stress. One of the most common concerns is how to move clothes on hangers efficiently and effectively. Fortunately, transporting your hanging clothes doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With the right methods and materials, you can keep your garments organized, wrinkle-free, and ready to wear in your new home. This comprehensive guide explores the best ways to transport clothes on hangers, ensuring a smooth and stress-free moving experience for your precious wardrobe.
Methods for Moving Clothes on Hangers
There are several effective strategies to move your hanging clothes, each catering to different needs and budgets. Choosing the right method depends on factors like the quantity and type of clothing, your budget, and the distance of your move. Let’s delve into the most popular and practical options.
Wardrobe Boxes: The Premium Choice
clothes in closet
For those seeking the utmost convenience and protection, wardrobe boxes are the gold standard for transporting hanging clothes. These specialized cardboard boxes are essentially portable closets, designed specifically to accommodate clothes on hangers. Typically around two feet wide and three feet tall, wardrobe boxes come equipped with a metal hanging bar, mimicking the setup of your closet. This built-in feature allows you to simply transfer clothes directly from your closet rod to the box, minimizing handling and the risk of wrinkles.
The robust corrugated cardboard construction of wardrobe boxes provides excellent protection during transit, shielding your hanging garments from dust, dirt, and potential damage. While they come with a higher price tag, ranging from $20 to $50 per box, many find the ease and wrinkle-prevention they offer to be well worth the investment, especially for delicate or high-value clothing. Wardrobe boxes are particularly ideal for suits, dresses, formal wear, and other items you want to keep in pristine condition during a move.
Trash Bags: A Budget-Friendly Option
If budget is a primary concern, large trash bags offer a cost-effective alternative for moving clothes on hangers. This readily available and inexpensive DIY method can be surprisingly effective for less delicate hanging garments. Opt for heavy-duty drawstring trash bags with a capacity of 30 to 50 gallons for ample space and durability.
To pack your clothes using trash bags, gather a manageable bundle of clothes on hangers. Keeping hold of the hangers, carefully slip the clothes into the trash bag. Securely tighten the drawstring around the hanger hooks, ensuring the hooks remain outside the bag for easy carrying and hanging later. Alternatively, for a slightly different approach, you can create a small opening at the bottom of the trash bag. Place your clothes inside with the hangers extending towards the bottom, then pull the hanger hooks through the hole. Use a rubber band or string to secure the hangers together beneath the bag. The top of the bag, with the drawstring, should then be tied closed, encasing the bottom portion of your clothing. While trash bags offer less rigid protection than wardrobe boxes, they are a practical and economical solution for moving everyday hanging clothes like shirts, blouses, and casual pants.
Garment Bags: Extra Protection and Organization
Garment bags provide an additional layer of protection and can be used independently or in conjunction with wardrobe boxes or trash bags. These protective covers, often made of fabric or plastic, are designed specifically for transporting clothing and are similar in function to suitcases for hanging garments. Garment bags are particularly useful for keeping individual items clean and wrinkle-free during a move.
The cost of garment bags varies depending on the material and quality, typically ranging from $10 to $40. For a free and readily available option, consider asking your local dry cleaners for plastic garment bags. While these thinner plastic bags offer minimal physical protection, they are excellent for keeping groups of hanging clothes together and clean, especially when used inside wardrobe boxes. Whether you choose to invest in durable fabric garment bags or utilize complimentary plastic ones, they add an extra layer of security and organization to your hanging clothes transport strategy.
Packing Folded Clothes for Moving
While hanging clothes require specific handling, folded clothes also need careful packing to prevent wrinkles and damage. Many items, such as undergarments, t-shirts, jeans, and sweaters, are well-suited for folding and boxing. Proper preparation and technique are key to ensuring your folded clothes arrive in excellent condition.
Preparation: Washing and Cleaning
Before packing any folded clothes, it’s essential to ensure they are clean. Washing or dry-cleaning your clothing before packing is not just about freshness; it’s crucial for preventing potential issues during and after the move. Packing dirty or damp clothes can lead to unpleasant odors and, more seriously, mildew growth, which can damage your wardrobe. Make sure all items are thoroughly cleaned and completely dried before being folded and placed in boxes. This simple step will protect your clothes and maintain their quality during the moving process.
Protective Lining for Boxes
To safeguard your folded clothes within boxes, consider adding a protective layer. Lining your boxes with packing paper or plastic wrap creates a barrier against moisture and the general wear and tear associated with moving. This extra layer of protection helps to keep your clothes clean and dry throughout the moving process. For enhanced waterproofing, particularly if you are moving in potentially wet conditions, you can line the box with a raincoat or poncho before placing your clothing inside. This provides an extra level of security against water damage.
Folding and Packing Techniques
Proper folding is crucial for both wrinkle prevention and maximizing space within your moving boxes. Take the time to fold your clothes neatly and efficiently. Avoid overstuffing boxes with clothing, as this can lead to wrinkles and make the boxes difficult to manage. Overfilled boxes can also make it challenging to locate specific items once you arrive at your new home. To facilitate unpacking and organization, clearly label each box with its contents, for example, “Sweaters,” “Shirts,” or “Pants.” This simple labeling system will streamline the process of organizing your closet in your new residence.
Moving Shoes Effectively
Shoes, like clothes, require careful packing to prevent damage and maintain their shape during a move. Whether you’re moving delicate heels, sturdy boots, or everyday sneakers, proper packing techniques will ensure your footwear arrives in good condition.
Utilizing Original Boxes and Shoe Bags
If you’ve kept the original boxes your shoes came in, now is the perfect time to reuse them. Original shoe boxes provide tailored protection and are ideal for packing heels, sandals, sneakers, boots, slippers, loafers, and various other types of shoes. If original boxes are unavailable, consider purchasing inexpensive shoe bags. These drawstring bags offer a water-resistant covering, protecting shoes from scuffs and damage during transit. Another excellent option is clear plastic shoe boxes, available from storage retailers. While slightly more expensive than shoe bags, plastic boxes offer superior protection and the transparency makes it easy to identify the contents after the move.
Wrapping Shoes for Protection
Before placing your shoes in boxes or bags, it’s highly recommended to wrap each shoe individually with packing paper. This adds a protective buffer and prevents shoes from scratching or scuffing each other during the move. Furthermore, stuffing the inside of each shoe with packing paper helps to maintain its shape and prevent creasing, especially for leather or delicate footwear. Secure the packing paper wrapping with tape to keep it in place before carefully placing the shoes in your chosen boxes or bags.
Filling Empty Space in Shoe Boxes
To prevent shoes from shifting around inside boxes or bags during transit, it’s important to fill any empty space. Use packing paper or packing peanuts to fill the voids and immobilize the shoes. For a budget-friendly alternative, utilize readily available materials like newspapers, washcloths, or clean dish rags to fill the empty space. This will cushion the shoes and minimize movement, reducing the risk of damage during the move.
Additional Helpful Tips for Moving Clothes
Beyond the core methods, several extra tips can further enhance your clothes-moving strategy, optimizing space, protection, and organization.
Suitcases: Dual-Purpose Packing
Maximize efficiency by utilizing your suitcases to transport clothing. Your luggage is designed for carrying clothes, making it a perfect dual-purpose solution for moving. This approach reduces the number of boxes you need and streamlines the packing process. To maximize space within your suitcases and minimize wrinkles, try rolling your clothes instead of folding them. This technique works particularly well for t-shirts, blouses, underwear, and pants. Packing cubes, small fabric bags designed to organize suitcase contents, can also be invaluable for grouping similar clothing items together and keeping everything neatly arranged within your luggage.
Vacuum Seal Bags: Space Saving and Protection
Vacuum seal bags are a game-changer for saving space and providing superior protection for clothing during a move. Unlike cardboard boxes, which are not airtight or waterproof, vacuum seal bags offer complete protection from moisture, dust, dirt, and pests. These reusable bags are ideal for protecting seasonal clothing or items being placed in long-term storage. Vacuum seal bags are typically affordable, with multi-pack options ranging from $15 to $40. Using vacuum seal bags significantly reduces the volume of clothing, freeing up space in moving boxes or vehicles and providing exceptional protection for your garments.
Plastic Bins: Waterproof and Clear
While often more expensive than cardboard boxes, plastic bins offer the significant advantages of being waterproof and transparent. The waterproof nature of plastic bins is particularly beneficial for protecting leather jackets, suede clothing, shoes, and handbags from potential water damage, especially when moving in inclement weather. The transparency of the bins allows for easy identification of contents without opening them, simplifying unpacking and organization at your new home. When using plastic bins, remember to line them with packing paper or protective wrap before placing items inside to provide cushioning and prevent direct contact with the plastic.
Hat Boxes: Preserving Hat Shape
Hats, especially those with delicate structures or brims, require special handling during a move. Avoid packing hats with other items, as they are easily crushed and can lose their shape when packed under pressure. To prevent damage, pack hats in separate hat boxes or small cardboard boxes that are appropriately sized. This dedicated packing method will ensure your hats retain their shape and arrive at your new home in perfect condition.
Jewelry Protection
Jewelry requires careful packing to prevent tangling and damage. For costume jewelry, place earrings, necklaces, and bracelets in small plastic baggies. Individually packing necklaces in separate bags is crucial to prevent them from becoming tangled. When moving, it’s highly recommended to keep expensive or fine jewelry with you at all times, rather than packing it with other items. This ensures the safety and security of your valuable jewelry during the moving process.
By implementing these best practices for transporting clothes on hangers and utilizing these helpful tips, you can confidently move your wardrobe, knowing your garments will arrive organized, wrinkle-free, and ready to be enjoyed in your new home.
