When it comes to travel, it seems there are a million things that can make or break your experience getting to your destination and enjoying your vacation afterward. From getting the most for your money, dealing with jetlag, and even wrestling pets through the travel process, there is a lot to account for! Well, today I’m sharing a few tips on how to deal with possibly one of the most bothersome parts of traveling—packing your bags beforehand. I, for one, am not a huge fan of this part of the process. But I have to admit, there’s nothing more satisfying than a well-packed bag full of all the essentials for a much-needed getaway.
To give you a hint, these tips below are absolute musts if you want to save space, pack efficiently, protect your belongings, and keep everything smelling fresh from start to finish. With that said, keep scrolling for all the details on these five packing hacks that will make your travel smarter than ever…
## **1. Roll, Don’t Fold**
This is a tip that I have heard floating around for a while, and I have to say that when I tried it I was converted. Not only does rolling all of your clothes save a surprising amount of space, but it also prevents your clothes from getting creased when they’re folded squarely and packed tightly in a suitcase. All I know is that I don’t want to spend my vacation time ironing my clothes, so rolling them is the way to go. Anyone with me?
## **2. Don’t Forget Dryer Sheets**
I know I’m not the only one out there who hates that “suitcase smell” that inevitably seeps into your clothes after being trapped in your luggage for several hours and days. There’s nothing worse than waking up in the morning and pulling a clean outfit out of your suitcase, only to put it on and feel like you smell like your luggage all day long. To avoid this, pack individual dryer sheets evenly throughout your suitcase to keep your clothes smelling fresh. When you get to your destination (if you’re staying in one place for several days), unpack your clothes and hang them in the closet to keep that suitcase smell at bay. Also, don’t forget to pack a few extra dryer sheets in a plastic bag to toss in with your dirty laundry on your return trip!
## **3. Compartmentalize**
If you’ve ever experienced the frustration of rummaging through your luggage for one particular item after everything has been shuffled around during travel, then this tip will quickly become your #1. (Let’s be honest, the airlines aren’t particularly “gentle” with your suitcase.) It’s common for people to pack their toiletries all in one bag in case anything spills, but try packing other items in small laundry bags as well. I find that dust bags from leather items, shoes, or other purchases work perfectly for this (ladies, this is where any of your unused purse dust bags go to great use!). Or, if you don’t own any of these small bags already, you can easily buy affordable dust bags online.
By compartmentalizing everything, your items won’t get mixed up in a large suitcase during travel, and will stay in better condition when your luggage may be thrown around. Or, if you prefer not to separate everything, at least put smaller items in bags, like nice shoes, toiletries, underwear, socks, etc. to keep things organized. Lastly, don’t forget to make one of these compartments your used laundry bag—simply toss worn clothes in a mesh or vented bag (some hotels even provide laundry bags in the closet) to separate from clean clothes, and when you get home your dirty laundry can be thrown in the wash with ease.
## **4. Lean On Your Luggage Scale**
Yes, luggage scales do exist, and yes, they are a must! Especially if you’re heading out for a trip to a destination where you’ll be buying souvenirs, clothes, or anything else, weighing your suitcase before you go is a necessity. You can buy a simple luggage scale for less than $10, and it will make a world of a difference when you’re packing. There’s nothing worse than being slapped with an overweight luggage fee on your return trip (or even upon departure), and simply using a luggage scale both before you leave and on your way back will help you decide if you need to pack less to begin with, or split your items into smaller, separate bags.
## **5. Sometimes Less is More… Literally**
What I mean by this is, sometimes packing in one big suitcase for a long trip can tip the scales way over the limit, and ultimately be a major mistake. I think it’s safe to say that our minds automatically think it is more efficient to pack one big suitcase instead of multiple small ones, but don’t write the idea of multiple bags off just yet. If you’re going on an excursion across another continent where you’ll be traveling to several different countries—which means packing, repacking, and hauling your luggage in and out of cars, planes, and more—then it may be smarter to pack in two small-medium suitcases, instead of one large one. Not only is it easier to lift and transport smaller luggage, but it also pretty much guarantees that you’ll never be over the airline weight limit. Plus, if one of your pieces of luggage gets lost in transit, then you’ll at least have a backup of some items until your other one arrives. Overall, traveling with two smaller bags may end up being even less of a hassle than one large one, and will provide a sort of “safety net” for unpredictable circumstances.
**Did you learn any new packing hacks here that you didn’t know before? What other tips would you add to this list?**
I hope these tips were useful, and that you try at least one of them out next time you pack your bags for a few days away. You never know, a few simple tricks could save you more space, time, and money than you think. Then you can kick back, relax, and enjoy the ride…
Cheers,
xx
GM
##### Photos: Gray Malin