Summer Travel Season is Here!
Summer Travel Season is Here!
And with travel inevitably comes the packing of suitcases. My family and I just returned from a beautiful week at our family lake cottage in Michigan, followed by two exciting days in Chicago. We stayed in four different places over the course of eight days, which translates to lots of packing and unpacking and packing up again. It takes strategy and systems to pull that all off successfully! In this month's newsletter I'm going to share some of my favorite packing tips to make the chore go more smoothly.
1. Keep a packing list.
Packing involves making lots of decisions, and there's lots of opportunity to forget important items. Make the task a lot easier by keeping a list of the items you typically pack. Create your own, or use one like this to get you started. I keep my list on my Notes app on my cell phone, but you cold also use an app like Evernote, or go low-tech and type up a list and simply print a copy to check off each time you pack for a trip. If you need help deciding what, when, and how to pack for a particular destination, there are a variety of packing apps available, linked in the next section.
2. Have your toiletry bag stocked and ready to grab and go.
Packing toiletries and personal care items one by one each trip can be so time consuming. A few years ago I discovered this hack, and it's been game changing: I keep a travel toiletry bag filled with travel size toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, lotion, shampoo and conditioner, hairspray, and wrinkle release spray, as well as items like bobby pins, hair elastics, cotton swabs, tweezers, safety pins, a brush and comb, and a disposable razor. This way all the products I need are ready to go, and all I have to add is my makeup and my facial moisturizer. This saves me at least 30 minutes each time I pack.
3. File fold clothes into your suitcase.
File folding (also known as the Konmari fold) isn't just for your dresser drawers! File folding your clothing in a suitcase is a great way to save space, and enables you to see all your items at once, which will help prevent the suitcase jumble that often happens on vacation.
4. Use plastic wrap to keep necklaces from getting tangled.
A client taught me this trick a few years ago and it's brilliant! Lay out a piece of plastic wrap and place your necklaces on it, making sure that the necklace chain doesn't overlap itself. Cover with another layer of plastic wrap. Roll/fold the plastic wrap into a small package. I love this trick so much I have my necklaces with thin chains individually stored this way in my jewelry drawer at home, as well. You may never have to detangle a necklace again!
5. Store items you only use for travel in your suitcase.
Keep items like travel pillows, outlet adapters, and packing cubes in the pockets of your suitcase. This way they will be easy to access when it comes time to pack, and you don't have to put them away when unpacking. Win-win!
Best Suitcase Packing Apps
Need some additional guidance for getting packed in an easy and organized way? There's an app for that. Check out this list of 5 Useful Apps that Will Help You Perfectly Pack Your Suitcase , compliments of thepointsguy.com
Wishing you happy packing, and even happier travels!
-Sarah Holden, Owner
Room Service Home Organizing LLC