A checklist for moving with your clothes
Short answer: If you are moving, clothes are some of the easiest things to pack if you do it in a sensible order. Here is a list that takes you from sorting to unpacking.
Sort early and make space
Start sorting several weeks before the move. Decide what you are keeping, what is to be sold or given away and what needs repair. The less you have to pack, the easier the day will be. Stick to the rule that clothes you have not worn in a year do not have to come along. Count how many boxes you will need and get them in good time. It gives calm as moving day approaches and you do not have to make decisions at the last minute.
Wash and dry everything
Clothes that are packed should be clean and completely dry, so they do not smell in the boxes. Wash everything according to the care label and let it dry thoroughly. Remember underwear and vests too, which sit closest to the skin. See bamboo underwear for men for base pieces. Moisture in a closed box can cause a smell, and in a moving box the clothes often lie for a long time before they are unpacked. That is why drying matters more than anything else.
Pack by room and use
Pack the clothes box by box according to where they will go in the new home. A box for the bedroom, one for the hall and one for the bathroom make unpacking simple. Put what you need in the first few days in a small bag that you carry yourself: a change of clothes, nightwear, underwear and a couple of pairs of socks. Label the boxes clearly on the side, so you can see what is inside even when they are stacked.
Protect the clothes in the boxes
Use boxes that are not too large, so they do not become too heavy. Pack snugly but not too tightly, so the fabric does not get hard creases. Put heavy things at the bottom and light things on top. Hang finer clothes in wardrobe boxes with a rail, if you have them. Avoid packing damp and tight in plastic. If you pack bedding and textiles, they can lie in cotton bags or be carried in a large bag. See home and homewear in bamboo for soft home textiles.
Take the most important things yourself
Documents, jewellery, medicine and clothes for the first days belong in your own bag. The rest can go in the van. It is smart to have a box or bag with the things you need the first evening: bedding, a towel and something to change into. Then you do not depend on the boxes being unpacked. There are several brands that make clothes from bamboo, including Boody, if you want to add to your basic wardrobe after the move, but check for yourself what you are missing.
Unpack with care
When you have moved in, unpack the clothes room by room. Take them out of the boxes and air them, especially if they have lain for a long time. Wash what smells and put the rest in place. Use the opportunity to bring order to the new wardrobe and sort by type. Keep the empty boxes for a couple of weeks in case you need to repack something. When the clothes are in place, the new home feels more like your own.
Frequently asked questions
How early should I start packing clothes
Many start two to three weeks before the move with clothes that are not in use. What you wear daily is packed last.
Should clothes be washed before a move
Yes, clean and dry clothes do not smell in the boxes and are ready for the wardrobe after the move.
What should go in my own bag
A change of clothes for the first days, nightwear, toiletries and important papers. Then you do not depend on the boxes being unpacked.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
