How To Pack & Fold Your Clothes To Avoid Wrinkles

It’s summertime! For many of us, that means it is time for a road trip or cottage vacation. Which means it’s also time to pack. And time to throw open your luggage at your destination to find all your clothes are a wrinkly mess.

If that’s you, and you’d prefer to look as good on vacation as you do at home, then this post on how to fold your clothes when packing is for you.

7 Tips to Pack & Fold Your Clothes and Avoid Wrinkles

1. Choose Clothes Made from Wrinkle-Resistant Fabric

You can beat the wrinkles even before you pack. Permanent press fabrics are a good starting point. They are also used in some less casual clothing if you’re planning a night out. Other everyday fabrics that are quite wrinkle-resistant include denim, polyester, wool and spandex. Fabrics that are more wrinkle-prone include cotton and linen, though many linen shirts are designed to sport the ‘wrinkled’ look.

2. Roll Instead of Fold

Wrinkles are caused by creases in the fabric. Of course, as soon as you fold the fabric, a crease is made. Instead, try rolling clothes to minimize wrinkles. Rolling may not be ideal for all your clothes. Lighter fabrics tend to not hold their shape as well in a roll. Rolling also helps with packing, making it easier to find that top you want without disturbing, and wrinkling, other items.

3. Try Packing Cubes

Many seasoned travellers use packing cubes. Like a mini set of luggage in your larger bag, packing cubes help separate your clothing. This lets you can get to certain items without disturbing everything. Packing cubes also prevent your clothes from moving around, and getting more wrinkled, as you travel.

4. Use Tissue Paper Between Items

Even the most neatly packed clothing may crease after you pack your bags. This is due to the friction between clothing items caused by the luggage being moved. A layer of tissue paper eliminates the friction and helps the clothing maintain the shape you packed it in.

5. Use Suitcase Compartments

It’s easy to get in the habit of just packing everything in the main compartment of your suitcase. But the zippered pouches, pockets and other compartments let you separate items and help you keep your clothing wrinkle-free. Stiffer and bulkier items, including shoes, toiletries and accessories can wrinkle your clothes as they shift around as you travel. Separating everything keeps everything in place, and your clothes more wrinkle-free.

6. Fold Clothing Properly

While rolling works for some of your clothing, it’s not ideal for all your clothing. However, by using certain folding techniques, you can keep wrinkles to a minimum. Here are some quick tips for packing different types of clothing

Dress Shirts & Blouses

• Button all buttons
• Lay the shirt face down
• Fold one side inward to just past halfway
• Fold the sleeve across the back and repeat the process for the other side of the shirt
• Take the bottom of the shirt and fold it up to align with the collar

Jackets & Blazers

• Turn them inside out before folding
• Lay the jacket face down on a flat surface
• Fold one sleeve across the back halfway
• Repeat the for the opposite sleeve
• Fold the jacket in half, bringing the hem in line with the collar

7. Unpack & Hang Your Clothes ASAP

The longer you leave clothing creased in your luggage, the worse the wrinkling will be. The sooner you unpack and hang your clothes, the sooner the wrinkles can begin to release and look better.

Have a wrinkle-free summer vacation!

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