packing tips Archives - Bella Organizing | San Francisco Bay Area Professional Organizer

I often help my busy clients prepare for their vacations and business travels. This includes creating packing lists, organizing and packing suitcases and carry-on luggage. Here are packing tips for easier traveling:

Pack clothing tightly but without over stuffing the suitcase. Tight packing means no loss of space and fewer wrinkles. There are two basic ways to pack efficiently:

The Rolling Method – Roll clothing including t-shirts, pajamas, sweaters, and slacks. Use a rubber band to keep items from unrolling. Tightly rolled clothing take up less space and are less likely to get wrinkles from fold creases.
The Bundling Method – Bundle like-garments. This keeps items together and accessible. If you pack three t-shirts, neatly fold or roll them together. To reduce wrinkles, place each bundle in an airtight zip-lock bag.

More tips:

Make a packing list of things you need to take on the trip days or weeks in advance.
Know the airlines updated baggage policy and Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) rules. Changes happen all the time; read up on the airlines latest fees, policies and rules before you start your packing list.
Prevent wrinkling by layering clothes with tissue paper saved from holiday gifts.
Make use of empty space by rolling underwear, socks, ties, scarves, etc., and placing into small zip-lock baggies, removing as much air as possible while zipping. Gently stuff the baggies into shoes.
Use sample-size toiletries (contact lens cleaner, shaving cream, toothpaste, etc.) or fill your own small, reusable bottles.
Store valuables (jewelry, medicine, cell phone charger, important paperwork) and pack a change of socks and underwear in your carry-on.
Minimize wrinkles by unpacking garments right away. Lay tissue paper inside hotel room drawers prior to placing your items and hang whatever clothing you can upon arrival.
If traveling with a passport, photocopy the page with your photo and bring an extra picture. If you lose your passport, this will make it easier to replace.

See how a flight attendant from Los Angeles demonstrates how to pack for a 10-day trip in a single standard carry-on using the rolling method.

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READ MORE BELLA ORGANIZING TIPS, IDEAS & TRAVELS HERE.

Isabella Guajardo, also known as Girl With A Truck™, is a professional home organizer and a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO). Living in Oakland and Monterey, she travels in her truck to work with clients throughout the SF Bay Area, East Bay, South Bay, Silicon Valley, Santa Cruz and Monterey Peninsula. She shares simple and creative ways to stay organized and stylish while reducing, recycling and re-purposing. Join Bella Organizing on Facebook. Gift certificates are available.

Call (510) 229-7321 to schedule a complimentary telephone consultation.

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PACKING TIPS

Whether they are friends, family, or a professional service, have things ready when the packers arrive. This includes ample boxes and packing materials if you are providing them. Set aside or label anything you do not want packed. Waiting until the last minute to sort slows the process. Save time, money and anxiety by being prepared.

Set aside on a bed or in a box anything you need to have overnight during your move such as toiletries, medicine, clothing, the laptop, cell phone charging cords, etc. If you want the packers to focus on certain areas of the house or a room, use sticky notes to designate them. Adhere with an extra piece of scotch tape to prevent the notes from falling.
You can also prepare a written list of directions for the packers to follow. Keep it simple. Make a copy for each packer.
Clear off surfaces so they have somewhere on which to wrap. The kitchen counter, dining and coffee table are good areas.
If a tabletop and/or the items being packed on it are fragile, lay a sheet or thin blanket down on the surface for protection.
Set aside high-value items such as artwork or collections, and inform the packers of them upon arrival so that they take extra care.
Keep in mind that moving companies usually will not insure pre-packed boxes for more than the basic .60/lb. Check with your movers about their policies, you may want them to pack and insure high value items.
Have out quart and gallon-size zip-lock bags to be used for smaller kitchen utensils, or toiletries that may spill or leak. This is also a good time to use plastic grocery or shopping bags you’ve been saving.
Prepare towels or bulky linens you are willing to let the packers use to cushion fragile items in boxes and save a little money on packing materials.
Moving companies usually do not transport plants, flammables and hazardous liquids or materials of any kind. Be sure to inquire with your movers about what they will not transport so that you don’t have the packers pack it.
Providing fresh fruit, light snacks and cold water or juice for your packers and movers is a small deed that goes a long way. A couple of short and healthy fuel breaks throughout the day maintains energy, efficiency, and a positive attitude.

PRINT FREE MOVING BOX LABELS HERE: Box Labels

The packers can tape these easy to read labels onto your moving boxes…a great way to help you and your movers see what boxes go where. Print only the pages you need on the back of scratch paper. You can always just have them use good old fashion marker labeling, too.

PRINT FREE ROOM SIGNS HERE: Room Signs

Use these nifty room signs to put on doors and walls at the new house and help your movers get boxes to the correct rooms. Highly recommended.

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UNPACKING TIPS

Have the movers place boxes according to the pre-printed room signs.
Leave pathways, table and countertops clear so that you or your unpackers may use them to safely work.
Break down boxes and stack like-size ones together.
Flatten and stack used wrap paper, then roll together about 25 pieces at a time and stand upright in a large box. Several stored this way takes up less space and are easier to carry than scrunched paper stuffed into garbage bags. If you are passing these materials onto another person to reuse, she will appreciate it.
If you do not have someone to give leftover materials to, posting FREE PACKING MATERIALS on Craigslist or Freecycle is a sure way to get them hauled away quickly.
Packing peanuts are not recyclable in most areas. Check with your local mail and ship store, as they commonly accept peanut donations and reuse them.

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READ MORE BELLA ORGANIZING TIPS, IDEAS & TRAVELS HERE.

Call (510) 229-7321 to schedule a complimentary telephone consultation.