Double your suitcase space with these genius clothes folding hacks!

Traveling often requires packing efficiently, and one of the most crucial aspects is folding clothes to save space in your suitcase.

Whether you’re packing light for a weekend getaway or fitting everything into a carry-on for a long trip, knowing how to fold clothes properly can make all the difference.

In this article, we’ll provide essential tips and techniques on folding various clothing items to help maximize the available space in your suitcase.

General Tips for Space-Saving Folding Techniques

Before diving into specific clothing items, here are some general tips to keep in mind:

• Start with clean and dry clothes: Wet or dirty clothes will not only take up more space but can also cause unpleasant odors or even ruin other items in your suitcase during transit.
• Get rid of excess air: When packing clothes, squeeze out any trapped air. Air pockets contribute to wasted space and can be minimized by compressing, rolling, or bundle wrapping clothes.
• Utilize packing aids: Consider using tools like compression bags, packing cubes, or vacuum-seal bags to further reduce the volume of your packed clothes.

Folding Shirts and Tops

The way you fold shirts and tops depends on their material and type. Below are two popular methods for different types of shirts.

The Flat Fold Method

This method works best for dress shirts, blouses, and other lightweight or delicate fabrics. Follow these steps:

1. Button the shirt and lay it face-down on a flat surface.
2. Fold the sides inward, starting at the shoulder seams. The edges should meet in the middle of the back, creating a straight line from collar to hem.
3. Fold the sleeves back onto their respective halves, creating parallel lines with the side seams.
4. Starting at the bottom, fold the shirt into thirds or quarters (depending on its length and thickness) to form a compact rectangle.

The Roll-Up Method

This technique is more suitable for casual shirts, tees, and tops made of thicker and less wrinkle-prone fabrics. Follow these steps:

1. Lay the shirt face-down on a flat surface.
2. Fold the sides inward so they overlap slightly at the center, creating a rectangular shape.
3. Fold the sleeves back, aligning them with the side folds.
4. Starting from the bottom, roll the shirt up tightly all the way to the top. Smoother materials may benefit from using a rubber band or small travel pouch to secure the rolled-up shirt.

Folding Pants and Bottoms

Similar to folding shirts, different types of pants require different folding methods. Here are two techniques that work well for most bottoms.

The Flat Fold Method

Suitable for dress pants, slacks, and skirts made of delicate or easily wrinkled materials, follow these steps:

1. For pants, fold them along their natural crease line, aligning the legs perfectly together. For skirts, lay them out flat and smooth any wrinkles with your hands.
2. Starting with the wider end, fold the bottoms into thirds or quarters depending on their length and thickness, achieving a compact rectangular shape.

The Roll-Up Method

Best for casual pants, jeans, leggings, or skirts made of thicker, less wrinkle-prone fabrics. Follow these steps:

1. For pants, fold them in half along the center axis, aligning the waistband and hem. For skirts, use a similar approach by folding them in half vertically.
2. Starting at the wider end, roll the bottoms up tightly all the way to the other end. Secure with a rubber band or small travel pouch if necessary.

Folding Sweaters and Hoodies

Thick clothing like sweaters and hoodies can be among the most challenging items to pack due to their bulkiness. Here’s how you can best fold them:

1. Lay the sweater or hoodie face-down on a flat surface.
2. Bring the sleeves across the back, ensuring they lay flat and straight. Fold any remaining sleeve length over onto itself so it stays within the sweater/hoodie’s body width.
3. Fold the right side of the sweater/hoodie inward approximately one third of the width, then repeat with the left side. The two sides should overlap slightly in the center, creating a rectangular shape.
4. Starting at the bottom, roll the sweater/hoodie upward nice and tight into a compact bundle. Use a rubber band or packing cube to keep the roll secure.

Folding Undergarments and Socks

Undergarments and socks tend to occupy smaller spaces and corners in your suitcase. Here are some space-saving tips:

• Roll undergarments: Lay underwear flat and fold them in half, then roll them up tightly. This technique works for both men’s and women’s styles.
• Stuff bras with socks: For padded or molded-cup bras, place rolled-up socks, small delicate items, or even other undergarments inside the cups to maintain their shape and save space.
• Ball up socks: Many travelers swear by “sock balls” – simply roll your socks tightly and tuck the top of one sock around its mate, creating a compact and self-contained bundle.

Folding Larger Items: Coats and Towels

It might be tempting to assume that larger items like coats and towels always take up a lot of suitcase space.

However, with the right folding techniques, you can minimize their impact on your limited packing capacity.

Coats

The key to folding coats is minimizing bulk by maximizing the amount of flattening and compression. Follow these steps:

1. Zip or button the coat and lay it face-down on a flat surface.
2. Bring the sides inward, overlapping them slightly at the back. The resulting shape should resemble an elongated rectangle.
3. Tightly fold the coat into thirds or quarters, depending on its length and thickness. Use a rubber band, travel pouch, or packing cube to secure the folded coat if necessary.

Towels

Folding a towel effectively requires considering two factors: its size (bath, hand, or face) and thickness (regular, microfiber, or ultra-absorbent).

Here’s a method adaptable to any towel type:

1. Lay the towel out flat, having its longest sides run horizontally.
2. Fold the two short ends inward so they meet at the center, creating a perfect square or rectangle
3. Now fold the towel in half, aligning the recently-folded edges. You can fold it once more for a smaller packing size if desired
4. If dealing with an exceptionally bulky towel, roll it up tightly and consider using a travel compression bag to further reduce its volume.

Packing efficiently is crucial when traveling, and folding your clothes properly plays a major part in making the most of the space in your suitcase.

With these techniques, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a space-saving pro for all your future trips.