How to Pack a Suitcase

Going anywhere? Want some help packing that suitcase? My tips can be as handy as a butler or maid would be, so read and learn.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. My Grandfather was a footman in England migrating to this country as a young man to work as a butler. My Grandmother, a young lady coming from Norway, ended up working as a maid at the same place as my Grandfather. I learned many things from each of them. Hopefully, I can share some tips of how to help you pack a suitcase for any journey.

2. Determine how long you will be away from your residence so you will choose the correct sized suitcase to fit your needs. When you have that planned out well we can begin to help you pack for that trip. In the bottom of a suitcase, I generally place a disposable dryer sheet or a small wash cloth sprayed with fabric softener and dried fully in the dryer. This scents the clothes that might be in the suitcase for a day or two depending on your destination. Place 3 or 4 hangers. These are just in case there are none or not enough for you when you unpack. Consider bringing only enough shoes that you will be wearing. Most women pack more of everything than they need. Try limiting shoes to casual, work out sneakers, and a dress pair. Put these in plastic bags so they won't soil anything or transfer odors. Place socks, knee highs or panty hose inside the shoes. These shoes will go on top of the hangers. Next roll all blouses, shirts, slacks,shorts,skirts and dresses. Rolling keeps the wrinkles from forming that folding does. Rolling many things together make even fewer marks if you want to do multiple items together.

3. All toilet articles should be secured in a zip lock freezer bag so if there are any leaks, they stay in the bag and not go into your other suitcase articles. Night wear can be slid into the corners to fill up the edges. If you do not own a jewelry roll, think about that purchase since it can keep a lady's accessories intact and then hung up for easy access upon arrival at you destination.

Tips & Warnings

• Tie a string around the outside of your suitcase so it can easily be observed at your destination. Make it unusual colored.
• Make a list of your contents, so if lost or stolen, you can divulge that to the authorities.
• Pack a days worth of clothes in a carry on bag, so if you are stranded somewhere, you will have all you need in that bag.

[eyeopening]

on 2/23/2009 I needed this. I'm a terrible packer. Thanks. :-)

[achieve42]

on 2/22/2009 Really good comments that I will be using on my trip to the east coast tomorrow. Thanks!

[Lakota99]

on 2/22/2009 Great work 5 stars

[Upon-Request]

on 2/22/2009 Good article! I use the dryer sheet tip too :)

[gatunibi]

on 2/22/2009 Great tips!5*