Moving boxes and the clothes that come along
Short answer: A move goes more smoothly when clothes and bedding are packed with care. Sort before you pack, keep one box ready for the first nights, and pack textiles dry and loose so they do not pick up odours or deep creases along the way.
Sort before you pack
Moving house is the best opportunity to go through your wardrobe. Pick up each item and ask whether you have worn it in the past year. Clothes that no longer fit or are worn at the seams can be passed on or taken to a textile collection point. The less you move, the fewer boxes need carrying up the stairs, and the easier it is to find room in the new home. Sort by season so that winter clothing can be packed first, leaving everyday items until the last few days.
The box for the first nights
On the first evening in a new home you are often tired and there are boxes everywhere. Pack a separate box with the essentials: a set of bedding, a towel, toiletries and sleepwear for each person. With bamboo envelope sheets the bed is quickly made, as the sheet is simply laid over the mattress and tucked in at the edges. Label the box clearly and keep it in your own car rather than the removal van, so it never ends up at the bottom of a stack.
Sleepwear and soft clothing in the boxes
Sleepwear takes up little space and rolls well. Roll pyjamas and nightgowns tightly so they fill the gaps and get fewer sharp creases. Place them at the top of the box so heavier items do not crush them. A favourite nightgown can go straight into the box for the first nights. If you look at bamboo nightgowns for women, you will notice that light viscose takes up very little room and is easy to pack alongside other soft items.
Dry and airy matters
Textiles should always be completely dry when you pack them. Even a little moisture can cause a musty smell after a few days in a closed box, especially if the boxes stand in a cold basement or a removal van. Use cardboard boxes or fabric bags rather than airtight plastic bags so air can move. You can lay a cotton cloth on top as a dust cover. Do not pack the boxes so tightly that the fabric is pressed together for days on end.
Label boxes by room
Write both the room and the contents on the side of each box, not just the lid, so you can read it when the boxes are stacked. Write something like "bedroom, sleepwear and sheets" or "hall, jackets". This saves time when you need a particular item, and helpers can put the boxes in the right place straight away. A different coloured tape for each room makes sorting even faster on the day itself.
Unpack in the right order
Start with the bed and the bathroom so the basics are ready on the first evening. Then move on to the kitchen and finally the wardrobe. When unpacking clothes, it is worth shaking them out and hanging them for a day so the creases relax. Sleepwear and pajamas for women can go straight into a drawer, while shirts and dresses should be hung up right away to keep them looking their best.
Frequently asked questions
How do you avoid creased clothes after a move
Roll soft clothing instead of folding it, and hang shirts and dresses in a wardrobe box. Unpack them soon after you arrive.
Can clothes be packed in bin bags
It works for short distances, but the bags are airtight and trap moisture. For longer periods, cardboard boxes or fabric bags are better.
Should bedding be washed after a move
It is a good idea if the boxes stood for a long time or in a damp place. Otherwise a good airing is often enough.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
