With all the family vacations coming up during the summer, I figured you could use a few great packing hacks! No matter how hard you try, it seems like you can never quite fit everything you need into your suitcase. It doesn’t help that if you’re flying, you need to pack even lighter to avoid extra baggage fees! Don’t worry; we will help you make the most of every last inch of space! Check out some of our favorite packing hacks!
Best Packing Hacks to Keep You Organized
Clothing rolls
For as long as many of us can remember, there has been the age old packing debate: roll your clothes or fold your clothes. For thicker items of clothing like sweaters, you want to fold those since they are hard to roll, but roll everything else. By rolling your clothes, you are going to save a ton of space and your clothes aren’t likely to wrinkle as much.
Check this video tutorial for rolling clothes:
Socks inside shoes
Why let the space that is inside shoes just go to waste? You can use that space to pack socks and other small items. If you pack other things into your shoes, like makeup or medicine bottles, just throw them in a bag first. I’m not saying your shoes stink or anything, but seriously, would you want to sweep your makeup brush across your face after it’s been hanging out in your husband’s sneakers?
Plastic wrap to prevent spills
When packing bottles like shower gel and facial cleansers, unscrew the cap, place plastic wrap over the top and screw the cap back on. This will provide you with an extra layer against spills and messes.
Outfit in partner’s luggage
Luggage sometimes gets lost, which can be a real pain, especially if it means you have nothing to wear! Here’s a great idea: put an outfit into one of your traveling companion’s suitcase. That way, if your luggage does get lost, you will at least have a change of clothes handy.
Kids’ outfit in Ziploc bag
Plan an outfit for each day that you will be away for your child and place each one in a large (affiliate link) Ziploc bag. This will save you time in the morning since all your child has to do is grab a Ziploc bag and get dressed.
Poncho instead of umbrella
Yes, umbrellas come in handy when it is raining. However, you might stay drier in the rain with a poncho. Ponchos take up hardly any room in your suitcase. If you do get rained on, just hang them up to dry back in your hotel room.
Pack jewelry in pill containers
Keep your favorite jewelry from getting tangled and lost in your luggage by packing it into those daily pill containers. Buy one with extra large compartments. I found mine at the dollar store.
Follow these packing hacks and you’ll be able to get so much more stuff into your luggage! Need more tips for your next family vacation? Check out these awesome travel hacks!
Do you have any favorite packing hacks to save on space in your luggage? Share in the comments!
Wow,thanks for the tips! Socks in shoes brilliant!
Great tips to have when travelling, although this isn’t a packing hack hubby and I freeze 2 to 3 bottles of water, put them in a double ziplock bag and then wrap them in a towel. They are then packed in our stowed away luggage. That way when we get to our destination we have thawed, ice cold refreshing water to drink once we retrieve our luggage. We all know how dehydrated you can get on a flight
I like that socks inside shoes thing – I do that when I put away my laundry :)
Fantastic tips. I pinned this for reference. I love the idea of a day’s outfit in a plastic bag. And having an outfit in your partner’s luggage. Genius!
Socks in shoes is a good one! I would never have thought to do that lol
I need to try folding my clothes like that the next time we go somewhere.
I need this information so much as I step in to helping with packing things for my husband who is a regular traveler. These are some great ideas which are simple yet effective enough to save a lot of space for sure.
fantastic tips! i always roll my clothes to get more room in my bags.
I think that for me – folding clothes inside each other – and the whole socks inside shoes thing – that would work for me :D