How to Pack a Suitcase Properly

If you’re going on vacation, chances are good that you will spend a lot of time living out of a suitcase.  Of course, packing can be a real pain, and you often find that while everything fits on the way to your destination, it rarely fits when you are packing to go home – even if you have made no new purchases on your trip.

Always Bag Your Liquids

The most important thing to remember when packing your suitcase is this: all liquids can leak.  It has happened to all of us at some point, and it can be a real buzz-kill when you arrive at your destination to find that your favorite silk dress has shampoo stains all over it.  If you’re flying on a plane, the elevation will most certainly make your lotion or conditioner leak.  The same applies to sunscreen.  If you’re going to pack liquids, put them each in separate bags, preferably ones that have a watertight seal. 

Preventing Wrinkles

To conserve space in your suitcase and help prevent wrinkles, you may want to consider rolling your clothing up military style.  When unrolled, your clothes will look as though they just came out of the closet.  Make sure you don’t over pack or under pack the suitcase, both of which can cause more wrinkles. 

Keeping Everything Clean

When leaving for your vacation, take five empty plastic bags, roll them up and put them into one of your shoes in your suitcase.  You’ll be surprised how often you’ll need them to keep soiled and clean items separate.  Putting your shoes into bags can also help keep dirt off of your clothing.  The same goes for soiled clothing and any items that have pet hair on them. 

Filling the Gaps

When your suitcase has too much room, consider using cheap Ziplock bags from the dollar store filled with air to fill in empty spaces.  This will prevent items settling during the trip, and all your carefully folded clothes coming unfolded.  After your vacation, you can simply fill the spaces with the things you bought during the trip.  With a few simple tips, your packing experience can be so much easier.