Air travel continues to advance all the time. It's becoming less of a stress getting around the world! While some people pack their suitcases days in advance, others wait until the very last minute. Regardless of what approach you take, chances are you’re going to leave something behind. To preserve some sanity in your life, here are some of the packing hacks that we swear by.
Cube Packing Is the Ultimate Solution
Putting your clothes into a zip lock or vacuum bag and making small cube-like arrangements have been the most efficient packing mantra for some people for many years, and it’s time you, too, start following it. This hack might sound more like a task but believe us, it works wonders, especially for hiking and camping trips.
Just put similar items like underwear and socks in one cube and eliminate the worry of unpacking everything just to find that one lost sock. Moreover, cubes are best to keep your clothes protected from dirty shoes, and their varied size can literally hold anything, giving you the option of making the best use of every inch of the luggage.
Keep the Wires Untangled
If someone frowning at an airport is asked what happened, there is a high chance that the reason behind their misery is that their wires got tangled. Unfortunately, this situation happens to all of us, and it not only puts a frown on our faces but also builds frustration because they don’t untangle, no matter how hard we try.
So, to protect ourselves from this situation, we can take the assistance of a sunglass case. These cases have the perfect shape and size that can be used to safely keep our chargers, earphones, and other wires. This way, we can save the wires from scattering all over the bag.
No More Tension Over the 100ML Rule
We don’t know the logic behind not allowing any liquid above 100ml on flights, but it surely has put passengers into a dilemma of what to carry and what not to. Thankfully, we have found a hack for it, too. Just buy small air-tight glass bottles from the market and transfer the daily need products like shampoo, conditioner, and hair oil into them.
Airlines may have a 100ml limit, but they don’t have a limit on the number of liquid bottles we can take. As far as deodorants are concerned, we advise you to buy pocket perfumes of your choice.
Using Plastic Containers and Plastic Bags for Liquids
Liquids are a hot topic when it comes to traveling light. If packed carelessly, they can constitute a nuisance to the entire trip and make one wish they hadn't traveled at all. Because some important fluids like shampoo, body lotion, facial moisturizers, foundation, sunscreen, toothpaste, etc., are used almost daily, they must be given a space in the luggage.
Temporarily transferring these liquids into reusable plastic containers is a good idea, but it is still not enough. The entire contingent of plastic bottles should be packaged in a small plastic bag and this is the only way to guarantee that any spill will not stain the other contents of the suitcase. Always remember this.
A Hat-Packing Idea That Works
Hats can be difficult to pack and a little mistake can result in a rumpled, ruffled hat that's unfit to wear. For this reason, it's much better to pack the hat first before other things. Lighter clothes like scarves, stockings, and handkerchiefs can be placed inside the hat.
The greatest part about this hack is that by packing your hat you're also protecting it from getting misshaped by airline travel. We don't want you stepping out on the beach in your new sunhat and it's dented.
Pills Or Earrings?
Ever felt like you couldn't take jewelry on a trip because you weren't sure where to store it? Or brought some but it all ended up getting tangled or lost?
Next time you go on a trip, try putting your jewelry into a pillbox. They are a great way to store you medication you need on a trip, but they're also great for holding your other small items like rings, earrings, and necklaces.
Shoes In Shower Caps
One of the worst conundrums when packing is by far what to do with the dirty shoes that you need to pack on your vacation. What do you do what those shoes because you need to bring them, and no one wants dirt residue on their clothes
Instead of leaving your favorite pair of shoes at home, cover them with a handy dandy shower cap. Shower caps are the perfect size for your shoes as they're smaller but super stretchy.
Placing Heavy Items
When lots of people pack they lay their suitcases down horizontally and don't realize that placing heavy things at the top of their suitcase will cause it to tip and fall over. Because of this, we recommend packing the heaviest items near the wheels of the suitcase.
Place things like books, shoes, and toiletries on the bottom so they don't crush the more valuable items you'd want up top. This is a great way to ensure a smooth journey with no falling suitcases or broken belongings.
The Bundle Wrap Method
Who has time to fold clothes anyway? If you're interested in getting things done quickly, then try this. In this method, the clothes are spread out one on top of another and gently folded together into a huge bundle.
After you're done bundling, you'll see you have so much extra space in your bag. Not only that but your clothes will come out wrinkle-free because they've been folded neatly on top of each other.
How To Make Use Of Socks
Coming straight from the U.S. military themselves, the "Skivvy" role is the method in which many people have started preferring packing. No more throwing clothes into your suitcase but rather starting by taking your shirt and laying it flat on the ground. Then you fold your underwear with the shirt before placing them all neatly inside a pair of socks.
It might sound a little complicated but rest assured after watching a helpful YouTube video you might end up falling in love with this hack.
Inside Out Clothes
It keeps us up when we fly, the thought of a shampoo bottle exploding or something spilling ruining all of our clothes. It's completely out of our control, but we know you'd like to do everything you can to prevent something like that ruining a good vacation.
To quell this anxiety, try folding your clothes inside out, this way, if something does happen, the side of the shirt or shorts you're presenting to the world should be left undamaged.
Make Good Use of Old Socks
When packing, we seem to always avoid one thing; glass. Packing breakable items seems like a mission for failure, but it doesn't always have to be this way! Sometimes you want to bring back that shot glass or that snow globe and we have a solution for you.
When it comes to delicate items, it's time to pack them in some thick old socks. This way, they not only have extra protection but just in case there is an accident all of your glass is contained and won't harm you.
Try The Marie Kondo Method
After the release of Marie Kondo's renowned book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and her hit Netflix series Tidying Up With Marie Kondo, she has the market on teaching how to declutter. She has become famous for tidying and throwing away items that "do not spark joy". Folding clothes will never be the same again after her!
Firstly fold one half of the shirt vertically across the midline, then fold the sleeve, and repeat the process with the remaining half. Afterward, leaving a small gap at the bottom of the shirt, fold the top down, and fold it over again. It should be folded in half three times at the end and the shirt should stand upright. Voila! You have a perfectly folded shirt.
For Nice and Crisp Collars
Here is another packing hack you don’t want to miss out on, especially if you are traveling on business grounds and need to keep your official wear crease-free. No one wants to go through the strain of ironing their clothes twice or show up to their company meeting with wrinkled shirts because the iron box suddenly lost its function.
The solution is to iron the shirts beforehand and pack them inside out in our traveling bag with a wound-up belt on the shirts’ neck openings. Of course, this can also apply to any other clothing that requires a crisp, stiff shirt collar, and the good thing is, the belt will likely also be used.
Bring Your Warm Curling Iron With You
Ever left your curling iron because you used it that morning and couldn’t figure a way to carry it while still warm? Well, here is a hack of the lifetime for the next time this happens again. Apparently, an oven mitt is not only limited to the kitchen and can have more than one use.
The mitt’s padded gloves will protect the iron’s hair tongs and other items in your luggage from damage. Nevertheless, one thing to remember is that a cordless curling iron is not to be traveled with on an aircraft because the flammable gas butane powers it.
Contact Cases to Keep Your Small Makeup Intact
Have you ever gone makeup-free because you couldn’t fathom carrying all of your makeup for a day’s trip? We can’t also imagine having to carry the bulk that is a tube of foundation, a concealer, powders, mascara, eye shadow palettes, and lipstick. With this makeup-packing hack, a lot of ladies’ suffering has come to an end.
You may use your contact lens case to carry your essential makeup for that short trip. Spread a little foundation, concealer, or lipstick into the base of the contact lens case using a toothpick, and voila! You are ready to take on the world.
Time To Sneak In Some Snacks
Long flights can cause some people to get bored to the point that they just want to step outside for fresh air. After starving on the flight for hours, the distress becomes even greater when the food they serve is not our choice.
Since passengers are not allowed to bring any food items with them, we think it’s time for a sneaky hack. Go to the grocery store, get all the favorite snacks, and buy a handful of sponges too. These sponges would save the life of any foodie passenger as they can easily pack their snacks with frozen sponges around them. That way, the food can easily get past the security.
Better Safe Than Sorry
Nobody asks for an emergency while traveling, but that shouldn't stop us from preparing for them. Traveling with some emergency items has never caused any regrets and the confidence that comes from knowing they're in your bag is irreplaceable.
Experienced travelers know that first-aid supplies like paracetamol or ibuprofen, swabs, a pair of scissors, bandages, iodine, bacterial gel, hand swipes, and the likes should go in first. Antacids can come along if one has a sensitive stomach, and while it may look like the person is preparing for a medical trip, it's better to be safe than sorry.
Make Room for More
There is no such thing as a suitcase big enough to contain all our belongings when going on a trip. We always end up struggling and breaking a sweat, trying to zip up the suitcase because it is overly stuffed. Yet still, a lot of the things end up outside the suitcase and on the bed in the end.
How about we put an end to this misery? Well, it’s time to bring the compression bags into the picture. Compression bags ace the job of squeezing all the soft items and making more room in the suitcase by removing air. So now, one doesn’t need to choose between two shirts; both can be packed instead.
Day by Day Packing Works Wonders With Kids
Traveling with kids can be tricky; it not only judges your parenting/guardian skills but your luggage organizing skills too. No matter how organized you’re, a messier kid can take it all away. The best thing to do is to plan their clothes as per your day-by-day travel itinerary. Always keep an extra cloth for each day in case of emergencies.
Place them inside a zip bag and assign them the days. It might take some extra effort and add some extra weight. Yet, believe us, it will save a lot of your precious holiday time. You just have to zip open your suitcase, and your smart packing will do the rest.
Souvenirs Need Space Too
What is a trip without souvenirs? Either a fine wine from France, a poncho from Bolivia, or even wooden clogs from Holland, you will definitely need a lot of space bringing home your choice souvenirs; hence the need to plan ahead of time for them. Make an extra room for souvenirs upon every travel. Not just clothes and shoes, but also make room for momentos that are sure to catch your fancy on your next trip.
Thinking that won’t still make for enough space? You should consider packing an extra duffel bag for those souvenirs that are just so irresistible.
Don’t Travel Without a Charging Plan for Electronics
It is a common thing for hotels to have an outlet, but the big question is how do you cater to your many devices? No hotel outlet would be able to cater to your phone, tablet, curling irons, camera, and hairdryer. This is why you must put a power strip at the top of your priority list, just after your passport. You are surely not looking forward to dealing with a toddler on the trip and, at the same time, worrying about your almost exhausted battery on a long flight.
Another reason why you should travel with a power strip is that, with it, it is easier to have all your electronics in one place, making it harder for you to leave anything behind.
Help Suitcases Smell Good Always
If you are a frequent flyer and don't get enough time to redo your packing, this hack is definitely for you. Traveling, especially via flights, can sometimes be messy, and apart from the passengers, the thing that has to suffer the most if a flight gets delayed is our checked-in bags. Who knows how they are handled and if the cabinet they are kept in is hygienic.
Hence, it's better to be ready beforehand. To keep your suitcases away from the unwanted smell, place dryer sheets between your clothes. It's easy to carry and keeps the luggage smelling fresh. Moreover, it can also be used in laundry bags to keep the unwashed clothes scented.
Make Plans for Dirty Laundry
If you were going on a family vacation or even a romantic getaway, there are very few worries that should top that of dirty laundry and how to store it. Oftentimes, all we focus on are the trendy blouses or tops that would go with the trendy shoes, easily forgetting to plan for the dirty laundry we will come back with. Very few people plan for this, hence the reason for damp and smelly suitcases.
To avoid this, travel with some easy-to-pack laundry bags. An extra tip is to put fresh-smelling dryer sheets inside the laundry bags to keep them from smelling.
Roll Them up and Pack Them In
When someone has to pack many items into a fixed-sized suitcase, rolling the clothes can come in handy. This method saves more space than folding and produces far fewer creases. Though it's more time-consuming, there are still no better alternatives.
To apply this idea, pick the clothes one at a time, roll them up into a neat bundle, then place them side by side or one on top of another. In the end, one will be surprised by how much space is saved and the fewer creases produced. Give it a try and see if this packing style works for you.
Straws to the Rescue
We often forget to bring our jewelry with us because we packed for the trip hurriedly or have them tangled up because we threw them inside one of our bags’ compartments. We all know how stressful carrying each jewelry piece with its original box can be because of space.
So, here is where the threading hack for necklaces comes in. You thread your necklace through a simple straw and close the clasp. This way, the hard straw made from either plastic, bamboo, or metal ensures your valuable necklace piece doesn’t bend, fold or tangle until it has reached its destination.
Secure The Makeup From Turning Into Dust
People who take a keen interest in makeup can agree with us that there is nothing that brings more joy than a new makeup palette. Unfortunately, nothing can ruin our day better than the same makeup palate when it gets destroyed and turns into dust.
Such accidents can happen a lot during travel. This is the worse because how else are we supposed to put our glam face on for pictures! Well, there is only one way to protect our makeup from ruining. We are talking about cushioning; just grab a few cotton pads and layer them over any powder eye shadow, blush, and face powder; voila! The makeup is safe now.
Weigh Everything Before Leaving Home
The world finally opening up for travel again means you are not the only person looking forward to those family vacations and trips. Aside from all the documentation and other essentials, there is one simple but essential piece to acquire before making your trip. The handheld weighing scale is often called a suitcase or baggage scale, and it is used for weight checking right before leaving home. All you need to do is clip the device to the closed-pack suitcase.
How else to be totally assured about your trip than by performing this exercise before stepping near a check-in counter?
Ready to Climb That Hill
Your adventurous gusto could trickle ideas into your consciousness and one of them could be hiking or cycling. It doesn't matter where you may have in mind, we've absolutely got you covered. Well, pun intended, as the best kind of purchase to make for such a daring feat is a backpack rain cover.
These ultralight eco-friendly waterproof cross buckle straps beshield your gear and essentials from downpours and from the tough love of the rough terrains. Being also anti-dust and anti-theft, you can be rest assured that your expensive equipment, like camcorders and gimbals, would be safe and in pristine order. With this screed, we hope we've pushed to the backseat, for you, the idea of a garbage cover for your hiking.
Hiding Pro Tem, Just to Be Admired Later
Packing and suitcasing for travels have, over time, been associated with minimalist artistry but there is one sleight of hand that remains untapped, and that is jaunting with your cloths everted, or as they say 'inside-outer.' Before folding all your accouterments into small handy sizes and zipping up that suitcase, turn the fabrics wrong side out.
Travelers know that airport attendees aren't always the friendliest to passengers' luggage and their thoroughness tends to 'redecorate' the insides of your bags and cases. Worse if you have liquid or colloidal products– they could spill. It is protocol to be searched, yes, but to preserve the excitement of your adventure even before it starts, employ this trick.
The Conundrum of Shoe Packing
Space management is a crucial box that must be ticked when it comes to packing and shoes do not make it any easy for travelers. They are asymmetric and irregularly shaped and sometimes, it can be frustrating how much space they take in the already poky luggage, so much that the longing to just throw them out builds. Well, we can't; they are arguably the most critical essential.
We have, however, found out that shoes can be luggage in the luggage. Because you can't squeeze them together like clothes, otherwise you'd deform them, you can store small accessories inside them—watches, socks, underwear,s and so on. You can as well protect your clothes by enveloping your shoes in a shower cap.
Don't Let That Case Drag You Behind
Anytime we have a journey or a vacation to go on, we always want it to be perfect, even to the trivial details. Now, you will agree with us that even so much as wheeling misbehavior of your luggage could short-circuit your spirits. If the wheels of your bags and cases are not on the fritz, then it is most certainly a problem with your packing methodology.
Here is the ultimate panacea when it comes to wheelies: fix the heftiest items at the bottom. It is just simple physics that tackles the malady of balance. It is also a kill-two-birds-with-one-stone situation as you would have prevented the light, breakable items from getting crushed under pressure. By this, we've helped save your souvenirs. You're welcome!
Fit in a Book Too
A book is one of the best travel companions, especially when calm and serenity are what you are searching for. Imagine yourself on a beautiful sunny day, chillaxing on a lounge next to the sea, and the soothing sea waves; spending some time with your favorite book will make your evening even more memorable.
Do you bring along an E-reader or a paperback? With the advancement of technology, most of us would opt for the most straightforward option of bringing along the electronic gadget—and why not? It is portable, has a long-lasting battery, and has a massive collection of books. Nevertheless, some of us enjoy flipping the pages and inhaling the woody pulp scent.
Phones Can Be Stolen; Have All Documents Handy
No one should forget the most important travel packing rule—be 100% sure you have your travel documents. Visas, passports, tickets, vaccination records, and even insurance should all be printed and placed in each suitcase. In the event of traveling with adults, also ensure that they are handed to each adult. Scared of losing a bag on a trip? This is why it is necessary to have more than a copy of each document in more than just one bag.
Don’t make the mistake of traveling with all your documentation captured on your smartphone alone. Oftentimes, phones can get stolen or even broken. In such scenarios, your lifeline would be those hardcopy documents.
Handle With Extra Care
Some years back, bag handlers used to cope with fewer flights and much less stress and, therefore, were more careful with passenger baggage. Unfortunately, circumstances have changed, and a ding or a damaged bag is now commonplace while traveling worldwide. Adding a "Fragile" sticker on luggage may have mattered in the past, but we've heard that today's baggage handlers completely and intentionally ignore special labels on luggage.
In today's world, it has become imperative to ensure that the fragile objects are carefully padded and adequately wrapped with clothing just as an extra safety measure in case the flight attendant decides to go all aggressive on your suitcase.
Pack and Unpack With Ease
We have looked at a variety of packing methods, such as bundling, file folding, layering, rolling, and even insane ones like wearing all of your clothes at once; however, here's one we have not yet tried. This packing approach, popularly known as the 'skivvy' roll among military veterans and soldiers, may turn out to be the most effective packing trick ever if done appropriately.
The United States Marine Corps invented and honed this technique, which not only makes packing much easier but also ensures that unpacking won't be much of a challenge either. The method entails rolling a T-shirt, pair of underwear, and socks into a compact, lightweight bundle.
Don't Forget the Power Bank
No vacation is complete without the vacation photos, which actually capture the essence of your fun time and memory of that place. Hence, it’s very necessary to keep your camera or mobile charged always. Surely, you don’t want to miss out on snapping a beautiful scenic beauty or showing it live to your loved ones via video call because of a drained-out battery.
To be on the safe side, always include the portable charger at the beginning of your packing. If possible, keep an extra USB cable as they sometimes betray as well.
Where Do Valuables Belong?
Valuables belong in your handbag. Phones, credit cards, cash, and means of identification should be stashed inside. If you'll be taking a laptop, purchase a protective and decent bag tailored to pad the gadget on all sides and soothe any pain that might arise from carrying it. Also, instead of using the laptop's hard drive, store all of the data you collect before and during your trip on a USB thumb drive.
Under no circumstance should you leave your handbag and laptop bag unattended. It's not always possible to rule out theft, damage, and loss of our prized possessions, but we can reduce the chances of that occurring.
Being Friends With Airport Routines
We have just one eccentric packing hack for you. It is a "Joey Tribbiani" stunt on the sitcom Friends put in the right context. Why not wear all the heaviest items during your trip to your exotic destinations and then go light with your luggage? We are talking raincoats, hiking boots, wool head warmers and socks, denim pants, and even cardigans.
It makes sense to even wear them in doubles because most airlines are unapologetically pious and unforgivably pedant when it comes to luggage weight protocols. This is not a ticket to being ridiculed as when it comes to hiking trips, certain looks can be excused. So, when a suitcase is found to be overweight, a "Joey Tribbiani" can be conjured.
Pack a Capsule Wardrobe
A capsule wardrobe contains all of the clothing required for the trip without overburdening the traveling box. For a seamless dress-up experience, pack a few outfits that are all compatible with one another, so cross-matching them throughout the tour will be easy.
Depending on the length of the journey, you might have to do laundry. In this case, pick half of the number of clothes that you would normally need for that period and wash them all once a week. When putting together your travel kit, keep in mind the weather differences in the foreign country as well as any special events you'll be attending.
The Ultimate Travel Checklist
Sure, flinging your belongings in search of something you forgot at the last minute is adorable. We mean, if you're a character in a young adult novel. In real life, organization is key, and a travel checklist will help you do it like a pro.
Please, make the list early and review it at least twice. We recommend using a printable online version. If that's not your thing, there are a number of apps customized for this activity. Planning on traveling lightweight? Cross out items that you can easily acquire at your destination, such as toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, and so on, from the packing list.
Safety First! Universal Adapters Next
Imagine arriving at your dream destination only to discover that charging your electronics isn't possible. Maybe you packed an adapter that is incompatible with the voltage system of the country you're visiting. Awkward.
To avoid embarrassing situations like this, bring one or more universal adapters along. They're designed in ways that support plug-in options in over 160 countries. Having them on hand saves you the inconvenience of being detached from friends and family because your phone's battery is flat. Alternatively, buy a travel adapter designed specifically for the country you're visiting. Check the supply voltage as well before plugging in any device.