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One of the pains of packing is arriving to your destination with a suitcase full of creased clothing. Before you pack for your next trip, find out how to pack clothes without wrinkles with these nine helpful tips!
How to Pack Clothes Without Wrinkles
Table Of Contents
There’s nothing more irritating than fussing with a hotel room’s ironing board, not to mention the possibility of burning or staining your clothes. If it’s time to head out on your next vacation or you’re traveling for business, arriving to your destination with a suitcase full of wrinkled clothes can be a hassle.
Keep your travels smooth and care free with our favorite tips and tricks to help you save time ironing for wrinkle-free packing.
J.Jill Wearever Black Slim-Leg Pants
Sizes: XS-4X Regular | XS-XL Petite | S-XL Tall
Choose Fabrics That Don’t Wrinkle Easily
Where should you start when determining how to pack clothes without wrinkles? Choose fabrics that don’t wrinkle easily. You can find a full guide on the best travel fabrics here. Generally speaking, clothes that have a bit of stretch and knits don’t wrinkle as much.
Many of the clothes you already own will probably work well for travel without the need to buy new clothing. Give the fabric a scrunch and do a practice packing run to see how they hold up to wrinkles.
One of the biggest benefits of using travel brands is that they tend to use wrinkle-resistant fabrics. The downside is that many of these fabrics can’t be steamed or ironed should if they do get wrinkled. However, by combining your clothing selection with the packing methods listed below, you should be able to master the skill of how to pack clothes without wrinkles.
This is a list of the best travel clothing brands!
Eagle Creek Pack-It Garment Folder
Packing Folders
Packing folders are a little known tip for how to pack clothes without wrinkles. No matter where you’re traveling, a lightweight packing folder will help keep your delicate tops, dresses and pants free from looking like a crumpled mess. They are particularly useful for button-up shirts for business trips.
An 18-inch packing folder can fit 8 to 12 garments, helping you fit many of your items in one organizer. You can use packing cubes for underwear and clothes that don’t wrinkle easily.
The briefcase-like design keeps everything concealed and stored neatly. To make sure your clothes are packed tidily, button up all tops and pants and lay them face down on a flat surface to smooth away wrinkles before packing. Packing folders tend to include a folding board and pictures so you know what you’ve packed.
Want to know the best packing organizer? Read this!
Use an Easy Wrinkle-Free Spritz
A wrinkle release spray is extremely convenient to carry with you to keep your clothes wrinkle-free when traveling and looking fresh. Forget fussing with iron and instead, keep a travel-sized version of Downy’s Wrinkle Releaser in your purse or carry-on luggage for ease of use.
The TSA-approved size not only releases wrinkles but also eliminates odors and prevents static cling. Especially when you’re up in the air, your clothes are bound to get wrinkled and a little smelly.
This works wonders if you want to use it right after you get off the plane to make your outfit look freshly pressed. A quick spritz of this spray and you can smell fresh and avoid wrinkled clothing when traveling.
One reader suggests you can make your own wrinkle release spray two caps of fabric softener and one of white vinegar and fill up a small spray bottle with water freshen clothes and release wrinkles.
Another reader recommends spraying it an hour before wearing it and then hanging it in the shower so the steam can remove wrinkles.
These are our readers top recommendations for wrinkle release sprays!
Simple Housewear Travel Garment Bag
Garments Bags
Similar to packing folders, garment bags allow you to pack all your clothing together and then fold it once. I used to travel with these for business conferences and trade shows. I’d plan my outfits and hang them together in my closet. All I had to do was grab them all together, place them in the garment bag, zip it up, and fold the bag once it was in my suitcase.
Because you only fold once or twice and keep everything in place securely within the garment bag, you avoid creases and wrinkles. As a bonus, it is super easy to unpack! Since most of the clothing is already on a hanger, it was easy to hang up everything in the hotel room. If anything gets wrinkled, it will be easier and less time-consuming to iron or steam.
There are suitcases with built-in removable garment bags (like these), but they are rare nowadays. However, you can buy them individually. You can also buy self-contained garment bags like these.
The downside of garment bags is that I haven’t been able to find a carryon-sized garment bag. The smallest width seems to be 22 inches, which is a bit too long for a carry-on suitcase. So if you’re wondering how to pack clothes without wrinkles in a carryon, you may want to use packing folders instead of garment bags.
For problematic clothes, consider paying to have your delicate items pressed at the hotel. Paying for one or two pieces saves you time and stress.
Tip: Pack these delicate items last so other items don’t squish them. Also, double-up clothes on hangers to save space and weight.
If you want to unpack quickly but have wrinkle-resistant clothing, use this luggage organizer instead! A flight attendant favorite!
EZPacking Laundry Folding Boards
Bundle Wrap Clothes
The bundle wrap method is another popular tip for how to pack clothes without wrinkles. The concept is the same as the packing folder and garment bags but you place the clothes directly inside a suitcase. This method works particularly work for bulkier items that may take up too much space for packing organizers.
The downside is that you have to unpack all your clothes every time so this is not ideal if you’re on a fast paced trip and will only be staying in hotels one or two nights.
You can also use a folding board within the clothing to keep everything secure.
You’ll want to look your best when you travel! Read my travel tips to Pack Light Stylishly!
Adding Tissue in Between Folds
If you prefer to fold clothing the traditional way, add a piece of tissue paper in between the folds to avoid creases. Take your time folding, and use a hard, smooth surface to smooth out wrinkles as you go.
Follow these steps to learn how to make clothes smell fresh!
URPower Portable Garment Steamer
Pack a Handheld Steamer
The quickest way to instantly freshen your clothes is with a travel-sized handheld steamer. You can also buy a travel iron/steamer duo. They’re a must if you’re traveling for business, as you can use them on suits, blouses, shirts, or delicate dresses.
With steamers, you can use the continuous steam function, which smooths even the toughest of wrinkles in a matter of seconds. Hang up your clothes and steam them without worrying about burning or damaging any of your items. If you’re ever wondering how to avoid wrinkled clothes when traveling, a handheld steamer is a sure bet!
You might also be able to hold the hotel’s iron upright and press the steam button to make it work like a clothing steamer. However, the quality of irons varies in hotel rooms so you may not want to depend on this if you want zero wrinkles.
Alternatively, a reader suggests to buy a pressing cloth, and carry that with you. If you have any stubborn wrinkles, you can use the pressing cloth between your clothes and the iron to press them out without burning your clothes. A magazine or newspaper rolled into a tube makes a great “sleeve board” if your jacket sleeves wrinkle.
These are the best travel steamers that are portable and packable!
Unpack in the Shower
While this method sounds silly, a hot shower is one of the best solutions for releasing stubborn wrinkles. If you want to quickly steam your clothes without using a steamer, hang them in the bathroom during a hot shower and watch the wrinkles in your clothing fall in just a few minutes. By the time you’re done getting ready after your shower, your clothes will be smooth and fresh!
Likewise, if traveling to a tropical, humid destination, hang up your clothes once you arrive and the humidity will help “iron” them and loosen wrinkles.
One of our readers recommends you bring your own slim hanger and/or clothespins, so you can hang clothes in the bathroom and turn on the hot water to steam them. There’s no guarantee the hotel hangers can be removed from the closet.
If your accommodation doesn’t have a dryer, take a look at these portable travel clothes lines that are all very packable!
Dampen Your Clothing Overnight
Similar to using a wrinkle release spray, this DIY method is perfect for when you’re in a pinch. Just use a spray bottle or a damp towel and lay your wrinkled clothes on a flat surface.
Take a warm damp towel and press it on top of your outfit. Spritz water on your clothes and hang it before you head to bed. The wrinkles will be long gone by the time you wake up!
Tired of packing too many things? Read this helpful guide to stop overpacking!
Even if you try to neatly organize your clothes, chances are your bag is going to get tossed around during air travel. These tips will end wrinkles as easy as possible!
What are your best tips on how to pack clothes without wrinkles? Comment below!
For more tips on packing clothes for travel, please read:
- How to Pack More Efficiently
- How to Organize like a Pro
- The Best Packing Organizers
- How to Make Clothes Smell Fresh on the Go
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I hope you liked these tips on how to pack clothes without wrinkles. Please share with your friends on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
Your ideas are so helpful! I’ve used them in packing for my last few trips, and it helped immensely. I am truly a fan of your site and Facebook group. thank you for all you do!
I’m packing for a trip as we speak! This article gave me so many practical ideas. Thank you!
I love using a packing folder for tops–it’s the best method I’ve found for preventing them from getting wrinkled.
Thank you for the fantastic tips! Travel Fashion Girl was my “Bible” for packing for my recent European trip. Packing cubes (& Downy wrinkle spray) were the MVP for me. It helped me to keep all my clothes organized and easy to find. I will never travel without them going forward.
Great article! The suggestions are fantastic and I’m looking forward to applying them on my next trip.
I definitely need to get some of the wrinkle release spray. I generally do a decent job packing without major wrinkles, but there are always a few. Great tips to try next time!
Such great tips! I’ve never heard of packing folders so I’ll definitely look into them.
I think some of these tips will be very helpful! I’m a shower method gal.
Great ideas! I do pack a travel steamer and wrinkle release spray, but like the idea of just “spritzing” water on outfit at night and planning for it to be wrinkle free in the morning. May give it a try this trip ’cause I’m going COO and the steamer does have some weight. Enjoyed all of the other comments also. Thanks again Alex. Love this community.
Great tips! I use the shower.
Great tips! I can’t wait to put them to use on my upcoming trip!
Love this & all the suggestions! Never heard of packing folders, but will be checking them out!
I do a combo of roll and fold. I would love to try the clothes folders for those shirts that wrinkle. I always travel with a small bottle of downey wrinkle release as well.
The “Travel Elastic Clothesline” was so helpful on a long cruise. Such a simple inexpensive item was so worth having.
Wrinkles are just part of the adventure of travel. I don’t think it’s possible to avoid so I don’t worry about it. Ok to be not 100% especially if on vacation. Just enjoy, do t worry.
I love these great tips. My packing is a work in progress to stop wrinkles. I may use the steam from the bathroom and that clothesline next time.
These are great tips and items on packing. I am going to use them. Thank you!.
Lots of options! I am trying spray for my next trip and packing cubes. Hopefully that does the trick!
Love this article. Went to Spain a few years ago for 2 weeks with carry on only. Worked out fine, but found that most hotels did not provide an iron for most rooms. Will invest in a steamer for my next trip back to Europe.
I’ve been rolling my clothes for the last 3 Europe trips we’ve taken, but some do wrinkle. I’ll have to try the packing folders for the dress shirts and items that are prone to wrinkles. That’s what I love about this site, there are tons of options and ideas I never even knew about. Thanks, Travel Fashion Girls !
I’m going to look for the Downy Wrinkle release plus. I’ve used the Downy wrinkle release in the past and it seemed to work pretty well. But on my most recent trip, it didn’t seem to help much. Hoping the Plus works well
Hi Alex! TFG has changed my life for the better! I love all of your posts and appreciate your ideas and all the knowledge you bring to all of us travel girls! Thank you for all you do to help this community and just for being YOU! Happy Travels to you! PS: I am currently packing COO for a 16 day visit to Champagne area and Paris, France!!
Great tips! Love this website – so many great ideas that I used on our last trip!
Thank you Alex! Your website, blog, & facebook group have been a game changer for me! I’ve been a notorious overpacker in the past and travelled quite often. Now we are preparing for a 3 month trip in europe, starting in warm weather Greece and end spending the New Year in Paris, with stops in Italy, Switzerland, Germany, & Croatia. So ALL types of weather. After encouraging posts from you and all your dedicated followers, I have committed to Carry On and this entire year has been a learning experience preparing. We are leaving next week and I’m mostly ready. I couldn’t have imagined doing this trip carry-on only without you. I love all the planning and will be blogging and hope to help others plan trips too! Bon Voyage! <3. Julianne
No matter where I’m planning to go, I always check in with Travel Fashion Girl first. I’ve saved so much time and angst with this blog!
Do the packing folders work for linen? I wear dresses mostly in the summer and love bringing linen but don’t love tge wrinkles!
I love my packing cubes but may have to try the envelopes! I have that travel steamer and love it.
The compass rose packing cubes are great- wish I could find more of them!
I take clips used for the office, clamp style, and use the hangars in the room to line dry light weight materials after rinsing or damp wiping. The clips can also be used to hold together curtains in the room or my electronic gear cords.
Its one thing to pare down the items you are bringing; another thing entirely to pack them! I adore the tissue paper tip and wonder if I can use that with my new compression packing cubes…going to try it for sure. Thanks for the idea!
Great post for those who love to travel!
Great ideas! I hate having to iron on my Vaca!
This saved me on our trip to Italy. It made packing for 18 days with only a carry completely possible. The travel steamer worked great to take out any wrinkles.
Thank you for the wrinkle free tips! I really need them. Will try for my next trip!
I love all the tips & advice given by TFG! Thank you for making travel easier.
The tissue paper trick is interesting. I’ll have to try it out!
Thanks for the tips! I have never heard of packing folders. They sound perfect for my wrinkly dress shirts. Adding to my Christmas wish list ( along with a couple of other TFG recommendations). Happy trails!
Never tried wrinkle release spray- does it damage the clothes? I love the idea of the packable hanger or the spray water trick!
Downy Wrinkle Release is a life saver… I use it at home too lol. Thanks for all your tips, ALWAYS great info!,
Great tips! Hanging wrinkled items in the bathroom when you shower works well to steam out most folding lines. I also use dry-cleaning bags between layers. I’ll have to try rolling items with the bags, too! Thanks!
Always appreciate your posts and links. I’ve got a dress hanging in the bathroom now hoping the wrinkles will fall out before tonight’s event.
I usually roll my outfits and place them in packing cubes…but I do deal with some wrinkling. I’ll have to try the packing folders next time! Genius!!
I love these tips! I’m always struggling with what to pack and how to pack it, as my clothes come out wrinkled consistently. Now I know how to go about packing them properly, and I’ve got some new ideas for products to try!
Thank you for all the tips. I love traveling with linen. I think my next purchase will be the travel steamer.
I have tried everything and now I just go with a dual voltage travel steamer. Now I feel like I can fit more because I’m not worrying about wrinkles.
The hot shower method is very clever. I will have to try to remember that one the next time I need to de-wrinkle my clothes!
Thanks for the great advice! I love you website and can’t wait to travel using all your tips.
Great post. Thank you for all the great tips to help with wrinkles.
I really needed this. I am tired of lugging around cans of wrinkle-release!
These tips were so helpful when packing for my 10 days in Hungary, Austria, and Germany!
Thanks! Y’all rock!
I am determined to pack only a travel backpack for my next trip. My only concern was wrinkles. I am headed to the links to purchase a couple of these items. Thanks!
Hi, I’m traveling for the first time in a few years and going to Montreal for a few days with my daughter. She insists we go COO, so I am slightly stressing over how to pack as much as I can into my carry-on luggage. Watching your videos has really helped me with the whole packing process. Hopefully I won’t have to deal with a lot of wrinkled clothes.
Thank you so much! I’ve tried rolling but that often made things worse! Can’t wait to try these tips 🙂
I always travel with my portable steamer. Makes a difference to have steamed fresh clothes. Sometime irons in hotels don’t work the best.
Love reading all your packing tips!! Thank you!!
I found this blog most helpful as I was headed for a cruise and really didn’t want to have to worry about wrinkles in my clothing. I am now a huge fan of packing cubes! not only were my clothes not wrinkled but I could just stick the whole cube in the drawer, how easy is that? and what a space saver.
These tips are great! I have to get a travel steamer.
I find the method of first laying my pants inside the suite case with the pant legs hanging over the edge of the case, then rolling the rest of my clothes inside and then folding up the legs over everything at the end really helps get as much in as I possibly can!
I do that too.
These are some great tips! I have several items I’m planning on packing for a trip to Italy and I’ve been worried about some of the items (dresses) getting wrinkles.
I have the packing folders and love them. I have started to use some packing cubes but the folders seem to do better for me and wrinkles.
I’ve rolled and folded and tried a hybrid of the two. I’m going to try the bundle I think. Seems like I may not get wrinkly and could still fill in with rolled stuff in cubes. Great info to try out so I’m not lugging a heavy bag and still wrinkly
I am hoping these tips help me. I seem to be a wrinkled mess all the time
Excellent ideas for packing.
Love this blog post and Facebook group! I was lucky enough to buy the compass rose packing cubes before they sold out, and they have been so beneficial in reducing amount and size of my luggage. I am going on a Mediterranean cruise in November and will be posting about my newly acquired packing skills. Stay tuned!!! xo
I never used to wear polyester, but I have found that not all polyesters are the same. There are some light weight polyesters that breathe, are light weight, roll into small bundles, and never wrinkle. Great ideas!
Thank you for all of the great packing advice! One of the best tips I’ve gotten is using packing cubes. My husband thought I was nuts when I purchased them, but when he saw what I could get into my carry on, he was impressed. I’ve shared your website with many fellow travelers. Thanks again!
The packing folders and Downey wrinkle free are both new options for me. Your tips are ALWAYS the BEST!!!
I.I’ve been learning so much from Travel Girl Blog and Community!!!!!! What a great supportive community!! Love it!!! Thank you so much Travel Fashion Girls !!
Happy Anniversary!!
Great ideas!! I just got the downy wrinkle free spray for me travel to Italy at the end of October, but I loved the idea of the shower steam and/or spray the clothes at night!! also the idea of the hair dryer!! that is why I love this group!!!
Travel cubes are my go to both dor ease of use and for less wrinkles
I started traveling with a small steamer because I like I can pack more clothes using packing cubes & they are super easy to drop in the hotel drawer! Some tops get wrinkles hence the steamer. I may try the folding methods on the next trip though!
Great tips, Thank you!!!
Packing without wrinkles is the best advice anyone could ever give. If you look like a wrinkled mess, then how will you feel in those clothes and look in the pictures! Packing cubes are the best and organize you!
I’ve always been hesitant about tightly rolling clothing. For me the packing envelopes work so well and the envelopes fit well into a variety of suitcase sizes, much like the packing cubes. Thanks for the ideas about the spritzing too!
These are great ideas! I will beginning my packing attempt this weekend for a trip to Italy in early October! Wish me 🍀 luck!
Lots of great tips! I received a garment bag embroidered with my initials for a gift and wondered if I’d ever use it — now I can’t wait to try it on a trip to Playa del Maya in October.
These are great tips–some I’ve used before and some new ideas for me. Nothing worse than having to spend the start of a business conference with an ironing board!
Super smart tips! The packing folders are genius and I hadn’t ever come across them!
Thanks for the advice. I found that the folders work well for my husband’s tops and pants. They do seem, however, to take more space in my carryon than cubes.
Have never tried using a garment holder and am intrigued by it. We like to take some dressier shirts on our cruises and they almost always need pressing when we arrive. I appreciate the tip!
I have been faithfully following Alex the Travel Fashion Girl for over a year and have told many friends to check it out, too. I particularly love the articles about smart packing (space saving) and the ones about comfortable footwear (very important!).
Thanks for the tips! Love this website. I hate wrinkles. But I’m always limited on liquids space so I never take wrinkle release spray. So I’m glad to know how to make my own on the go. I’ll just take an empty spray bottle next time and maybe try a Downy dryer sheet and water & vinegar.
Great tips! No one wants to look sloppy at their destination. It just takes a tiny bit more time to pack everything wrinkle free, but it’s worth it!
Thanks for these tips. We are just starting to travel carry on only after lugging large suitcases thru all of Italy on trains. NEVER AGAIN! Now I know how to pack appropriately and with less wrinkles to boot!
Your advice was extremely helpful during my recent four month trip around Europe and the UK with just a carry-on.
I roll all my clothes, but it’s important to have them smooth so you don’t roll wrinkles into them.
Very helpful information. Will try the packing folder.
This post is a lifesaver. All too often, my packed clothes are a disaster with deep creases and wrinkles. Thanks to Alex and team for the advice and insight to make sure I have the best tools and tricks for my travel!
I iron everything and fold carefully into packing cubes. At my destination, I take an outfit out the night before and sort of “iron” out wrinkles with a wet washcloth then hang to dry. Nice & smooth the next day!
Packing folders, next up on the list to purchase! Rolling only gets me so far. Thanks for the tips.
Thank you for this great information!!
Big fan of using dry cleaning bags when I pack, either folding or rolling and often a combination of both. Rarely have wrinkles, even with linen! Highly recommend.
Love the packing folders!
This is incredibly helpful! I’m not surprised, though, everything you post is!
Great tips! Different methods work for different types of travel. The bundle method is great for a trip in one location, but packing cubes work better for me if I’m moving from place to place.
Great packing tips! Simply love the organization of my clothes using packing cubes. I used to use plastic bags for this purpose, but cubes are earth friendly!
Travel Fashion Girl never disappoints! From packing tips to capsule wardrobe ideas! Thank you for all the tips and suggestions for my trip to Spain.
I travel with all these in mind to keep me looking like a put together traveler!! It is so great to have such a wonderful resource of women travelers to draw inspiration from.
These suggestions have been game changers-I am much less stressed about packing than I used to be. Thank you!
Thanks for the recipe for homemade “wrinkle release” – trying it today!
I have become a firm believer in rolling my clothes. It takes a bit longer but clothes come out with minimal wrinkles. Shoes get packed along the sides with soles facing away from clothing.
Kate–I agree on rolling clothes. I’ve started converting my tops to Merino wool and that has really helped reduce wrinkles. Even if a top has a few packing wrinkles, I hang it over a chair overnight and they are gone.
Wow! Great tips! Wrinkled clothing is one of my pet peeves. The amount of tips and tricks I’ve learned in the short time I’ve been reading and watching your info has helped me so much in my recent travels! I’m no longer a chronic over-packer! Thank you so much for all of the help!
Love that I learn something from every article!
I have found that rolling my clothes takes up less space and helps prevent wrinkles. I just returned from a 10 day trip to Europe (COO) and used both compression bags and rolled clothes to fit everything. Always bring wrinkle spray just in case.
I’ve been using packing cubes for years. Love the idea of packing folders. Will try them on my next trip!
Thanks for all your great advice!
These packing tips have made my travel so much more enjoyable, and definitely easier. Thank you!
Your tips and recommendations have been incredibly helpful! Thank you so much! Already planning my next trip!
Getting ready to pack my suitcase for a river cruise. I will take some of the tips from this article. I have Downy Wrinkle Release and a travel size Fabreeze . I am going to try the rolling method and see if that works. I also have packing cubes. I have been trying to do a capsule wardrobe and keep making adjustments to it. Wish me luck. No COO for me!🤪
I love all this tips, mostly because I HATE ironing. Plus, I use packing cubes that I pack using the roll technique, so everything is wrinkled.
Thank you for all this information. Having traveled through the years it’s always been hard to know how to properly pack my suitcase. All of these tips are truly helpful and will allow my future trips to be less stressful.
The packing folders are great and I use them for my husband’s dress shirts. Thank you for the recommendation! They are a game changer!
The packing folders are a game changer! I use them for my husband’s dress shirts and they work great! Thank you for the recommendation!
Thanks for all the great travel tips. They will be so helpful for my trip to France next spring
Thanks for some great tips!
I can’t wait to try the travel clothesline! Thanks for the tips!
Packing Folders! The answer to packing my husband’s dress shirts! I’ve converted him to packing cubes thanks to your information. Keep up the great work!
Thank you for the excellent tips. Packing folders, I must check them out.
As I’m getting ready for a trip to the South of France in a week, this post is incredibly helpful. I’ve learned so much from your travel tips!
I’ve never used a packing folder. Thanks for the tip. Being allergic to scents, I just use plain water in a spray bottle for wrinkles and let the garment hang. It works well.
I have found that rolling skirts, dresses and tops help decrease wrinkles. I also use a little wrinkle release in spray bottle, spray my clothes turn on hot water in bathroom and let steam help remove wrinkles.
Such great tips! Several I routinely use, but the tubes in blazer sleeves is sheer brilliance. Thanks for sharing.
Excellent tips, especially the packing folders. I learn so much from your posts and website – Thank You!
I have found rolling my clothes eliminates wrinkles. For more delicate items, I wrap with tissue paper.
Love all the great ideas! Thank you!
Planning a trip to Italy and want to go COO. Have never tried packing cubes but am willing to give it a try for the trip, along with the wrinkle release spray. Thanks for the tips!
I have found that the steamy shower works just as well as the wrinkle spray and no need to pack another spray through TSA if you are COO. Rolling is the way to go if you can though. Love your packing tips!
These travel tips are so informative and timely. Thanks for sharing all these great ideas.
Kathy
I’m definitely going to try the travel steamer for my upcoming trip.
I’ve never heard of packing folders! I’ll have to give those a try. Thanks!
Great list. Learn something new everyday
Learning how to pack light and wrinkle-free is a game changer for me. Keep the articles coming!
I appreciate all of your helpful travel ideas and especially took note of how to pack without wrinkles! Recently traveled to Europe using my new compass rose packing cubes which worked great for packing an extra outfit in my backpack in case luggage was lost – didn’t do carryon since we were heading to a 17 day cruise. Had to use my wrinkle spray on a couple of things but overall everything else all turned out great. Thank you!
This post helped me so much with a recent trip to France! Downy wrinkle release and bundle folding made such a difference with my clothes that were more prone to wrinkling.
The packing folder works extremely well. When you combine this with packing cubes, you have a winning combination for a successful trip.
Planning for a 3-week trip to Italy next month – these packing tips will be invaluable!! Always inspired by your content!
Thank you for the tips!
Such helpful tips! I adore TFG!
Excellent packing ideas!
I’ve been rolling my clothes and using compression bags for the past year. It helps me stay organized!
I am going to try the tissue.
I am loving all this information! I travel frequently and never am certain how to pack in the most efficient way. I am ready to try out these suggestions and see what works best for me! Thanks so much!!
This is so helpful. Thank you!
Genius! Your tips and recommendations are simply the best! Thanks so much for sharing! 👍😎🥰Deborah
I love this post. So helpful!
This article was super helpful when I was packing for a recent vacation! Thank you for sharing!
My mom is chronic overpacker due to WHAT IFs, wrinkles, maybe i’ ll need it etc! The list and tips on this webdite have been amazing tools to share. Super useful
Can’t wait to try some of these tips! Great info!
I’m trying the packing cubes for an Italy trip in a few weeks. I also used various sizes if ziplocs to contain odds and ends. Then I have the ziplocs to use throughout the trip. This will be my first COO!
Good luck Barbara! It is so freeing to use COO. I hope your experience makes you a convert to this way of travel.
I have found this group so helpful with all things travel. I really like the cubes for packing. Putting outfits together and just opening the bag and taking one at a time makes it so much easier when you have to be up and out early for a tour. I have also found helpful info on various brands of clothing especially merino wool.
I’m headed to Rome in November and for the first time (thanks to what I’ve learned from this website) I am committed to COO. Thanks, TFG! I’ve learned so much!
We were just commenting about how you don’t see as many garment bags in use as we did 20 years ago. I find rolling wrinkle-prone clothes works best. I roll them with tissue paper and bubble wrap to avoid creases. Then I reuse the tissue and bubble wrap to secure souvenirs for the trip home–such as a good bottle of wine…or olive oil…or bourbon…etc.
I had never heard of a travel garment folder! Brilliant! I will have to look into this and see if it truly works. The garment bag idea is good too, though not sure how that would work for a carry-on bag? I would think it just wouldn’t fit with just one fold. So maybe that method is better for a checked bag.
I have used compression packing cubes most recently so I am curious if this is a better method (using the folder) to compress and keep together? I normally roll my clothes into the compression cube.
I do use the Downy (or Grove) wrinkle spray, not just for travel but at home when I would rather spray than iron or try to place in dryer to get wrinkles out. The benefit of the spray is it has a nice fragrance so you can freshen up clothing too. I never leave a trip without one!
This is a great post. I hate having my clothes all wrinkled when I arrive.
Super helpful tips! Thanks!
This blog has helped me so much! A am always anxious to open emails from TFG because always learn something new to make my travels less stressful!
Thanks for all you do!
I’ve tried the shower thing and it never works for me. Going to try the wrinkle release spray on my next trip though. I hate getting out the ironing board!
I’ve never heard of the “packing folders” but I may order a couple. I can see how they could really help with certain pieces/delicate fabrics.
These are some great tips! I’m a pretty good packer, but I want to try COO on our next big trip and I don’t iron!
All great advice – very helpful!
Our first and only cruise—we took a dress shirt for my husband. I carefully packed, with a plastic cleaner bag, but it still had creases. I took a wet washcloth and moistened the wrinkles. Left it hand while it dried and wrinkles were gone. For everything else, hot shower works.
Hi Carol, thank you for sharing your awesome packing hacks for dealing with wrinkled clothes. Happy travels! ?
Great idea. I’ve struggled with finding room to hang clothes in the shower without them getting wet. I like this idea!
Hi. I have used all but one of these methods to prevent wrinkles in my clothing ( never took a travel steamer ) and find that they all work. Of course can’t use all in one trip.
Thanks for your continuous sharing of information. I come to TFG first as soon as I think about planning a trip.
My son just returned from a cruise. The portable steamer was confiscated by the cruise line and returned at disembarking.
Hi Janice, I am sorry to hear that but thank you for letting us know. Hope he had a wonderful time on his cruise!
I also agree that the steam from a hot shower can help reduce the wrinkles in clothes. If needed, I also use the available hair dryer set on high in lieu of a travel steamer.
Hi Marian, thank you for sharing your travel tips for reducing wrinkles with us! Happy travels! ?
When I cruise I take several cocktail dresses. I put the dress in a dry cleaning bag and then roll. It works great.
Hi Lisa, thank you for sharing how you like to pack your cocktail dresses when traveling, great travel tip. Happy travels!
Thank you for so many great tips! I always travel with a mini Downy Wrinkle Releaser and use the hot shower to help, but you have given me some new ways to pack that will help as well!
These are all great tips. Hanging garment bags are wonderful. Easy peasy to unpack. Great for cruises.. Packing cubes are great if you have the right clothes for them. But packing folders work better for more wrinkly tops.
Great ideas for preparing for a cruise! We will go on our first one in two weeks and I have hopefully absorbed all these great tips. Obviously when packing for an Alaska cruise there are going to be a few more pieces needed for warmth. I am planning to use a couple of the space-saver vacuum bags for sweaters and cardigans
Thank you also for the useful packing list! and my husband’s sport coat which he wants to have for the more formal nights.
Great tips, thank you so much for this post!
Great post! That travel elastic clothesline is genius! I always used to bring string and clothespins with me when I travelled but gave up because it was always so hard to put up the clothesline! I need that!
I like the tip to unpack in the shower.
Glad you like it!
The best thing I’ve found is rolling clothes instead of folding them. No creases!
Good tip!
Ive been rolling my clothes since we backed pack thru europe 30 yrs ago. FLODED & ROLL is the way to ho. Works great on shirts, pants, jackets, etc….a
Always love your travel tips
Thanks Janice!